BOSTON – Andrew Benintendi stepped out of the dugout Tuesday to take batting practice when he heard a quiet voice say his name.

Benintendi turned, smiled and gave a brief wave to his mom, Jill Benintendi. She flew out from Cincinnati. His dad, Chris, was back home, at work.

Mom was joined by over 38,000 new Andrew Benintendi fans who watched the boyish-looking rookie go 3 for 3 with two runs and an RBI double in Boston’s desperately needed 5-3 win over the New York Yankees.

He didn’t look like he was recently promoted from the Portland Sea Dogs.

Benintendi, 22, had company in this win, including Dustin Pedroia’s three RBI and Rick Porcello’s eight innings of two-run ball.

Boston had to have this win for many reasons. Coming off a 5-6 trip, it needs to dominate in its few remaining home games.

Advertisement

“We’ve scuffled,” Manager John Farrell said. “We’ve had numerous opportunities in which we’ve come up dry.”

Going into Tuesday’s game, several players were in slumps. Since July 25, Xander Bogaerts, Jackie Bradley Jr., Pedroia and Hanley Ramirez were all batting between .194 and .207. David Ortiz was at .136.

“We’ve pitched much more consistently,” Farrell said. “It doesn’t change what was an 11-game road trip … 5-6.

“Getting back to Fenway, where our guys are most productive, most comfortable, we’re looking forward to this homestand.”

Boston is 35-25 at home, 26-25 away. But after Tuesday, the Red Sox have only 21 home games left and 30 on the road.

If Boston (61-50) plays .500 ball away from Fenway, it must go 14-7 at home to reach 90 wins. And it will have to do better than that to win the American League East (2015 AL East winner Toronto had 93 wins, the lowest total in 15 years).

Advertisement

To make a push for the division, Boston must rise from its recent slump. Tuesday was a start, especially with Pedroia’s clutch hits.

And then there’s Benintendi, who hasn’t had time to slump. He’s now batting .500 (8 for 16).

“What we’re learning in short order is a guy who is very comfortable coming to the big leagues,” said Farrell, who paused while searching for the right words to describe the kid.

“He’s got a sweet swing, I’ll be honest. It’s natural. It’s got a level path through the zone.

“He’s handled different types of pitches, different speeds. I don’t know if you can impress much more in such a short period of time.”

Benintendi is batting ninth, in front of leadoff batter Mookie Betts, and could give Boston the same kind of lift Bradley did when he was at the bottom of the order.

Advertisement

“My job as a guy hitting in the ninth hole is to get on base for the top of the lineup,” Benintendi said, “and it worked out.”

In the third inning, Benintendi saw a 98 mph fastball on the outer half of the plate and shot it into left field for a single (doubles by Betts and Pedroia followed).

“It’s all about adjustments,” said Benintendi, who didn’t see many 98 mph pitches in the Eastern League. “Some guys throw harder than others so you start early and try to keep it simple.”

In the fifth, with a runner on third, Benintendi got an outside slider and launched it to left-center, off the wall. The umpires ruled a home run but on review called it a double, hitting the wall to the left of the decisive yellow line. It was still Benintendi’s third RBI.

“It was fine,” Benintendi said. “My job was to get that runner in from third base.”

In the seventh, Benintendi fell behind 0-2. After two foul balls he worked the count to 2-2 before getting a slider and grounding hard off the glove of a diving Mark Teixeira at first.

“It’s crazy,” Porcello said of Benintendi’s debut. “Seeing him get drafted a year ago and he’s up here in the big leagues getting three hits. I’m happy he’s up here.”


Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.

Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.