After leaving runners stranded in both the seventh and eighth innings, the Boston Red Sox found themselves with another opportunity to seize the lead in the top of the ninth. Wilyer Abreu ensured his team didn’t squander a third consecutive chance.
With two teammates on base and one out, Abreu hammered a slider at 110.7 mph to right field, launching it over the wall for an unquestionable home run. This blast put the Red Sox ahead 5-2 in the late stages of Thursday’s Opening Day clash against the Texas Rangers. This marked Abreu’s second home run of the day, having also homered in the fifth inning.
He concluded the match with a perfect 3-for-3, driving in four runs, scoring three times, and accumulating nine total bases, accounting for half of Boston’s hits in their season-opening victory. According to Justin Havens from Underdog Fantasy, Abreu is only the seventh player in Red Sox history to achieve multiple home runs in an Opening Day game.
The last Red Sox players to accomplish this were Dustin Pedroia and Hanley Ramirez in 2015. Abreu finished sixth in the American League Rookie of the Year voting in 2024 and also secured a Gold Glove. Over 132 games, he posted a .253 average with 15 homers, 33 doubles, 58 RBIs, eight steals, a .781 OPS, 16 defensive runs saved, and a 3.4 WAR.
However, the 25-year-old slumped in September, hitting just .174 with a .517 OPS, and struggled in the Cactus League, going 1-for-20 this spring. Abreu had been dealing with an illness since February, resulting in a nearly 20-pound weight loss. Despite the weight drop, Abreu showcased his power in Thursday’s win. The Red Sox, Abreu, and the Rangers are set to face off again on Friday at 8:05 p.m. ET.
