The Boston Red Sox broke Game 1 open with a five-run fourth inning, and they have Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Wil Myers to thank for a large part of that. 

Jonny Gomes came through with the big hit—a two-run double off the top of the Green Monster to tie the game—but he never should have been up with two runners in scoring position in the first place.

That’s where the Rays’ rookie outfielder unfortunately comes into the storyline.

With Dustin Pedroia on first, David Ortiz hit a towering fly ball to right-center field. It looked to be a routine play for Myers, but there was a miscommunication and the ball bounced harmlessly to the ground for a bizarre ground-rule double. 

So, instead of coming to the plate with two outs and a runner on first, Gomes stepped to the batter’s box with runners on second and third and just one out. 

Gomes then crushed an 0-1 pitch from Matt Moore off the very tip-top of the Green Monster to even the score.

Boston would go on to break the game wide open after that, scoring three more runs in the inning and another three in the fifth to quickly make it 8-2.

As was expected, the Red Sox faithful showed the young Myers their deep appreciation, via Yahoo! Sports’ Jeff Passan and Sporting News’ Jesse Spector:

The respectful thing for Gomes to do would be to at least send Myers a nice thank-you card for setting him up for the game’s biggest hit.

 

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