Wilyer Abreu makes more history for Boston Red Sox

Dana Becker

Wilyer Abreu makes more history for Boston Red Sox image

The last Boston Red Sox player to record an inside-the-park home run is now playing for the San Francisco Giants. That player was Rafael Devers, and it came in dramatic fashion in the ninth inning of Game 4 of the American League Division Series in 2017.

Eight years later, Wilyer Abreu added his name to the short list of players to record such a homer at Fenway Park, putting the ball in a perfect spot in center vs. the Cincinnati Reds Monday night.

To clear the wall in Fenway Park, the ball needs to go 420 feet in the direction Abreu hit it. His ball traveled just about 418, bouncing off and going over the head of the Cincinnati centerfielder, TJ Friedl.

From there, it was all the speed of the 26-year-old from Maracaibo, Venezuela, as he darted his way around the bases before sliding into home without even a throw at the plate.

Abreu now has 15 homers on the season, tying his career-high from last year that he recorded in 132 games. 

UPDATE

Abreu was not done, though, as the youngster smashed an eighth-inning grand slam. According to Grok, he is the first player in Major League Baseball history to have both an inside-the-park homer and a grand slam in the same game.

 

Dana Becker

Dana Becker is a freelance writer with The Sporting News. He has been a sports writer since 2000, covering high school sports, the Big 12 and more for On SI, The Fort Dodge Messenger, Mason City Globe-Gazette, Cedar Rapids Gazette and others.