Renteria Comes Up Big In Battle
By Rich Thompson
The Boston Herald
April 15, 2005
Shortstop Edgar Renteria powered his way into the combustible Red
Sox-Yankees
rivalry before 35,251 fans last night at Fenway Park.
Renteria delivered a Wall-ball double off Tom Gordon in the
bottom of the
eighth that broke a 5-5 tie, bringing Johnny Damon home with the
game-winning
run in the Red Sox' 8-5 victory over the Yankees.
``We took 2-of-3 and that makes everybody feel good,'' said
Renteria. ``He
(Gordon) threw me a fastball-sinker down and in and I put a good swing
on the
ball.
``I didn't try to do too much and I feel everything came through
for us. I
love those situations because I don't try to do too much. I just tried
to relax
and put the ball in play and good things happen when you put the ball
in play.''
Renteria went 0-for-10 with four double-play balls when the Red
Sox opened
the season in New York. Since then, Renteria has gone 9-for-26 (.346).
Despite his recent success, Renteria was anxious to prove himself
in front of
the Boston fans. The four-time National League All-Star thought he
accomplished
that by going 2-for-4 with a double, a home run, three RBI and two runs
scored
last night.
``I feel more comfortable right now,'' said Renteria. ``I'm
looking for my
pitch and I feel great because we won the game and that's all that
matters.
``We took 2-of-3 and that makes everybody feel good. I've been
working hard
every day and every day I feel more comfortable waiting for my pitch. I
don't
try to do too much because sometimes when you try to do too much, you
get tight.''
Renteria's first look at Yankees starter Randy Johnson resulted
in a deep fly
to right. But Renteria got a good idea of what to expect from Johnson
the next
time he stepped in the box in the third.
Johnny Damon earned a one-out walk. Renteria, who was 7-of-28
against Johnson
going into the game, unloaded on a 1-0 pitch that just cleared the lip
of the
Green Monster for his first home run in a Sox uniform and a 4-1 lead.
The clout
was the second of three Red Sox dingers off Johnson.
``It felt great because Randy Johnson is one of the best pitchers
in
baseball,'' said Renteria. ``We know he's tough and you have to take a
good
at-bat every time you face Randy.
``I was lucky he threw the ball I was looking for and I had the
chance to hit
it.''
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