Jeter Downs picks up first major league hit against the Yankees
It’s incredibly fitting that Jeter Downs picked up his first major league hit against the New York Yankees.
Downs was recalled from Triple-A Worcester prior to the game after Christian Arroyo went back onto the injured list.
The 23-year-old would enter the game as a pinch runner for J.D. Martinez in the eight inning. However it was the bottom of the 10th that Downs etched his name into the Red Sox-Yankees rivalry.
After going 0-4 in his big league debut, Downs smacked the first pitch he saw from Yankees’ reliever Wandy Peralta into right field.
Downs first big league hit helped set up Alex Verdugo’s huge walk-off two-run single, which Downs scored on.
“Before going up to the plate, I kind of just said a little prayer and tried to forget about everything else and worry about the ballgame,” Downs said. “It worked out for me, so thank god for that.”
Downs will always remember his first major league hit and it is more bitter sweet it came against the Yankees.
“I thank God for this opportunity. This place (Fenway Park) is magical,” Downs said. “We’re just trying to get this win. I don’t know, I told someone in the dugout ‘this is the fastest I’ve ever ran in my life.'”
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