Red Sox rookie lefty, in a night of firsts at Fenway, wins MLB debut
It's been a week of firsts for the Red Sox, and Friday was Jake Bennett's turn.
BOSTON — It’s been a week of unexpected major league debuts for the Red Sox. On Sunday, hired only the previous night, Chad Tracy was a winner in his first game as a major league manager. Five days later, one of his former players at Worcester, lefty starter Jake Bennett, also joined the club.
Bennett, pitching in a major league game for the first time, delivered five innings of one-run ball as the Red Sox defeated the Houston Astros 3-1 to start a brief homestand. “Five innings, one run, against that lineup? ” said Tracy.
“Pretty good job. ” Bennett, plugged into the rotation with Garrett Crochet (shoulder inflammation) on the IL , allowed five hits — four of them singles — to earn his first win while also securing a win for Tracy in his Fenway debut. “Just an unreal experience,” said a beaming Bennett afterward.
“Words really can’t put it into perspective.... dream come true. Incredible atmosphere, and I’m super blessed to be able to do it.