Masataka Yoshida, the Boston Red Sox outfielder, started as the cleanup hitter and designated hitter against the Philadelphia Phillies on May 12 (May 13 in Japan time) at Fenway Park. He went 1-for-3 with a hit-by-pitch, marking his second straight game with a hit and bringing his batting average to .282. The Red Sox fell 2-1, suffering their second consecutive loss.
The Phillies’ starter, right-hander Zack Wheeler, has posted double-digit wins in seven consecutive full seasons. In the first inning, Kyle Schwarber launched a 17th solo home run—his fifth straight game with a homer—giving the Phillies an early lead. Yoshida led off the second inning with a hit-by-pitch near his right elbow but was stranded. In the fourth, with one out and a runner on first, he grounded out to shortstop. Trailing 2-0 in the seventh, Yoshida swung at the first pitch and flied out to center field with one out and a man on first.
The Red Sox managed only one run against Wheeler before he left in the eighth. With the score 2-1 in the ninth, one out and no runners on, Yoshida faced closer Seranthony Domínguez. On a 1-1 count, he lined a single to left field and was replaced by pinch runner Ceddanne Rafaela, who stole second base. The Red Sox created a scoring chance with runners on first and second and one out but failed to drive in the tying run.
Yoshida’s playing time was limited early in the season due to the team’s depth in the outfield, but he has seen a sharp increase in opportunities since Anthony was placed on the injured list with right hand discomfort. He has started five straight games, the longest streak of the season, dating back to the road series against the Detroit Tigers on May 6 (May 7 in Japan).
