Abreu hits 2 HRs, dedicates win to late grandmother: 'I was playing for her'
Boston Red Sox outfielder Wilyer Abreu was playing for more than a win on Sunday when he hit two home runs in a 7-2 victory over the Texas Rangers. He was playing for his grandmother, who died on Saturday.
"I was playing for her," the rookie said following Sunday's win, according to the Boston Herald's Mac Cerullo.
"I dedicate this game to her and I was playing with my heart in my hands."
Abreu took Rangers starter Nathan Eovaldi deep with an opposite-field blast in the fourth inning to tie the game at two.
Absolutely, positively DEMOLISHED. pic.twitter.com/12O71A7lrV
— Red Sox (@RedSox) August 4, 2024
Two innings later, the 25-year-old put his team up 6-2 and recorded the first multi-homer game of his career, depositing a Walter Pennington offering into the right-field stands.
ANOTHER ONE 😤 pic.twitter.com/cCSXMKNfJ0
— Red Sox (@RedSox) August 4, 2024
"He didn't say much today about it. We didn't know until he broke down after the homer," manager Alex Cora said after the game, according to NESN.
"Man, God is good ... I think the Lord kind of rewarded him with that one."
Abreu is having a tremendous rookie campaign for the Red Sox, leading all qualified first-year players in OPS (.856) while playing terrific defense in Boston's outfield.
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