BOSTON — Manager Alex Cora’s faith in Wilyer Abreu paid off in a big way during Wednesday’s 6-4 victory over the Texas Rangers. With Rob Refsnyder available as a pinch hitter, Cora opted to stick with Abreu against tough left-handed reliever Hoby Milner, who had been dominant against left-handed batters. The decision was a gamble, but Abreu rose to the occasion, delivering a clutch game-tying RBI double that set the stage for a remarkable performance.
Abreu’s seventh-inning double, clocked at 106 mph off the bat, came after a seven-pitch battle with Milner. It was a pivotal moment in a game that saw the Red Sox rally for a win. Abreu’s efforts didn’t stop there—he went on to hit two more long balls, including a towering 422-foot home run in the fourth inning to tie the game 2-2 and a solo shot in the eighth to make it 6-3. The 25-year-old’s performance was nothing short of outstanding, earning praise from Cora.
“It’s the sixth inning and Willy’s one of our best hitters, and he’s earning the right to face tough lefties,” Cora said, explaining his decision to keep Abreu in the game despite the difficult matchup. Abreu, known for his ability to handle breaking balls and offspeed pitches, had struggled earlier this season against left-handed pitchers, entering the game with a modest 2-for-13 mark against them. But on this day, he proved that he’s made significant strides in his development.
The first home run of the day was particularly meaningful for Abreu. “I think the first home run was the most important for me because it came off a pitch that I’ve had a little bit of trouble with during the season,” Abreu said, acknowledging that connecting with the 83.7 mph split-finger fastball from Rangers starter Tyler Mahle was a big confidence boost. “For me to be able to hit that ball that far, it was very good.”
Abreu’s power surge was an impressive showcase of his skills, as he also launched a 386-foot solo homer later in the game to push the Red Sox lead to 6-3. With a .294 batting average, .400 on-base percentage, .580 slugging, and .980 OPS, Abreu is quickly becoming one of the standout players for the Red Sox this season. His nine home runs, seven doubles, and 25 RBIs in 36 games are a testament to his growing maturity at the plate.
“I feel like Alex has given me the confidence to be able to hit against lefties,” Abreu added, reflecting on the trust Cora has shown in him. “And obviously from last year to this year, I feel like I’ve improved a lot.”
Cora’s assessment of Abreu’s performance was glowing: “Outstanding. He put good at-bats. Got pitches that he was able to handle. The one against the left-hander, that was a great at-bat. He laid off some pitches and then put a great swing on it.” With his combination of power, plate discipline, and confidence, Abreu is proving to be a key piece of the Red Sox lineup and a player to watch as the season progresses.