Red Sox Rookie Roman Shines in Bronx Debut With First Home Run and Confident Bat Flip Against Yankees

New York— As Roman Anthony blasted one high and deep to right, he performed a bat flip from the left-handed batter's box that would have made Red Sox star David Ortiz proud.

In the top of the ninth inning of Thursday night's rivalry matchup at Yankee Stadium, Anthony appeared to take out all the frustration the Red Sox had endured with runners in scoring position over the previous 19 innings with one swing -- a two-run homer that led his team to a 6-3 victory in the opener of a four-game series between playoff contenders.

Anthony's first professional game in the Bronx was too nice an opportunity for him to be his usual unassuming self.

For a brief time, Anthony let his hair down and marveled at the flight of the baseball he whacked at an exit velocity of 107.4 mph and 370 feet into the second tier of the right-field stands, as estimated by Statcast.
It was his sixth career home run, but it was also his first bat flip.

"Yeah, just enjoying the moment, having a win," Anthony remarked. "I don't usually do that, but it just happened."

And, like everything Anthony does, it seemed entirely right.

The Red Sox had gone 0-for-13 and left 13 on base in a heartbreaking 11-inning loss to the Orioles on Tuesday.

Following a day off on Wednesday, the troubling trend reappeared, as Boston had left 14 runners on base while going 3-for-19 with runners in scoring position when Anthony walked to the plate with two outs in the ninth, still leading by one run.

Anthony, 21 years old, had the confidence to unleash the game-changing hit. How does he remain unfazed by any situation?

"To be honest, he is probably the most mature 21-year-old baseball player I have ever known," said Red Sox third baseman Alex Bregman. "Honestly, I am trying to figure out what he is doing wrong. We have no idea if he has any vices or anything. He simply does everything the proper way. He never underestimates the significance of a situation. He understands who he is. He is proficient at what he does. And he adheres to that and follows through."

You'd be hard-pressed to identify situations in which Anthony gets himself out, which is outstanding for a rookie.

"The ability not to swing at balls gives you confidence," said Red Sox manager Alex Cora. "He always has control. He works quite hard every day. This kid wants to be the best. Today, we require all from him."

Anthony knotted the game at 3-3 in the sixth inning with an RBI single to left center.
Was playing at Yankee Stadium up to his expectations?


"Yeah, it's probably what I imagined, and maybe even a little more," Anthony replied. "I enjoy playing in a setting. I enjoy being booed. I enjoy everything about it. We knew about the rivalry, and it was fantastic."

It is a rivalry that incites anger among Yankee Stadium fans toward whichever Red Sox player stands in the way of the home team's victory.

Anthony sensed it as he stood in right field, not far from the Bleacher Creatures.
A lot more than I anticipated. But it was satisfactory. Anthony said, "It was fun."


Aside from Anthony's heroics, Nathaniel Lowe -- making his second start for the Red Sox -- hit an RBI double into the right-center-field gap to give his team the lead for good in the seventh. That came two innings after Lowe tied the game at 2-2 with a sacrifice fly to center.

While the Red Sox had been on the outside of the postseason race in their final trip of the season to Yankee Stadium the previous three years, they are right in it this year, making Thursday's win -- and Anthony's heroics -- feel even more significant.

At 69-59, Boston is half a game behind the Yankees (69-58) for the top American League Wild Card slot and five games behind Toronto (74-54) for first place in the East.

"Any win is huge at this point of the season," Anthony remarked. "So to come here and take Game 1, we'd like to just build off that and come here tomorrow and try to handle business again."

Anthony is looking forward to three more games at Yankee Stadium this weekend after playing one already.

Anthony, who recently signed an eight-year, $130 million agreement with the Red Sox that begins next season, will face many more Bronx opponents in the future.
His teammates are excited to see what else he has planned.

"It's incredible," said Red Sox righty Lucas Giolito, who allowed three runs on five hits and three walks in four and a third innings. "There isn't much else to say." I mean, he's very mature for his age. His at-bats are really professional, and he's making an impact when we really need him to."