Red Sox's Marcelo Mayer Cracks Joke When Discussing Pinch Hitting On Opening Day
Red Sox's Marcelo Mayer Cracks Joke When Discussing Pinch Hitting On Opening Day originally appeared on NESN . Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here . The Boston Red Sox took down the Cincinnati Reds 3-0 on opening day, and Marcelo Mayer played a huge role.
Mayer did not start the game at second base. Alex Cora decided to start Isiah Kiner-Falefa against a left-handed starter, but Mayer came into the game to pinch-hit in the seventh inning. He hit a double off right-hander Pierce Johnson.
Ceddanne Rafaela drove him in two batters later. Mayer spoke on his pinch-hit appearance after Thursday's game and joked about how pinch hitting is rare in the minor leagues. "Zero," Mayer said when asked by reporters if he had a lot of experience pinch hitting in the minor leagues.
"You guys know that, they don't do that in the minors. I did a little bit last year. Obviously, I didn't do it in the spring, but I knew that was going to be part of my role coming into this team.
" Mayer got another at-bat in the ninth inning and singled again. He came around to score again as well. He scored two of the Red Sox's three runs and went 2-for-2 overall.