Boston Red Sox outfielder Wilyer abreu delivered a baseball performance for the ages on Monday night, achieving a monumental and exceptionally rare feat in MLB history. During the Red Sox’s commanding 13-6 victory over the Cincinnati Reds at iconic Fenway Park, Abreu hit both a grand slam and an inside-the-park home run in the same game. This extraordinary display of power and speed powered Boston to a much-needed win and etched Abreu’s name into the record books alongside some of baseball’s most legendary figures.
A Night for the Record Books
Abreu’s unique combination of home runs immediately captured national attention due to its incredible rarity. According to historical data, Wilyer Abreu is just the sixth player in Major League Baseball history to hit an inside-the-park home run and a grand slam in the same contest. This feat hadn’t occurred in nearly 67 years, with the last instance being by legendary New York Yankees slugger Roger Maris in 1958. Before Maris, the only others to accomplish this specific double were Jim Tabor (1939), Charlie Gehringer (1930), Everett Scott (1923), and Jocko Fields (1890). For the Boston Red Sox franchise, Abreu is the first player since Jim Tabor in 1939 to hit an inside-the-park homer and a grand slam in the same game. He is also the first Red Sox player since Pokey Reese in 2004 to hit an inside-the-park homer and any other type of conventional home run in the same contest.
The Anatomy of an Inside-the-Park Thriller
The first piece of history unfolded in the bottom of the fifth inning. With the Red Sox holding an 8-5 lead, Abreu stepped to the plate and launched a soaring fly ball struck deep to center field. At Fenway Park, the unique dimensions often lead to unpredictable bounces. On this occasion, the ball caromed unusually off the deep center field wall, reportedly hitting high off the fence or triangle area, and stayed in play.
Showcasing exceptional speed, Wilyer Abreu raced around the base paths. The ball bounced away from Reds center fielder TJ Friedl, and despite a relay attempt involving Elly De La Cruz, Abreu had ample time to complete the circuit, sliding head-first safely into home plate before any throw could arrive. This thrilling play resulted in a solo inside-the-park home run, stretching Boston’s lead. Data from MLB.com indicated Abreu completed his lightning-fast trip around the bases in under 17 seconds, reaching a top speed of an impressive 28.8 feet per second. It was the first inside-the-park home run by a Red Sox player at Fenway Park since Jacoby Ellsbury accomplished the feat on September 19, 2011, and the first by any Red Sox player since Eduardo Nunez in 2018. Speaking about the play later, Abreu stated via a translator that it was his first career inside-the-park homer and felt “very special.”
Capping History with a Grand Slam
A few innings later, in the bottom of the eighth, Abreu wasn’t finished leaving his mark on the game. With the bases loaded and Boston already holding a comfortable lead, Abreu stepped up again in a high-leverage spot. This time, he connected on a pitch and launched a towering blast that cleared the outfield wall entirely, landing deep in the Red Sox bullpen.
This conventional home run wasn’t just any homer; it was a grand slam, driving in four crucial runs and significantly padding Boston’s lead to the final margin of 13-5 at the time. It marked Wilyer Abreu’s first career grand slam, capping an unbelievable night where he accounted for five RBIs (three on the ITP, four on the grand slam, though only five total RBIs for the game). His two home runs for the night represented his 15th and 16th homers of the season, contributing to his season statistics which included a .256 batting average, 16 home runs, and 45 RBIs after the game.
Red Sox Offense Explodes Early
While Wilyer Abreu’s individual heroics stole the headlines, the Boston offense set the tone early with a massive first-inning rally against Cincinnati’s highly-touted rookie right-hander, Chase Burns. Making just his second major league start, the 22-year-old Burns, selected second overall in the July amateur draft, was ambushed by the Red Sox lineup.
Boston scored seven runs in the opening frame, chasing Burns after he recorded only one out. The rally began with a leadoff walk to Jarren Duran and was fueled by a crucial defensive error by Reds second baseman Matt McLain on a potential double play, which allowed Duran to score on an RBI single by Abraham Toro. The Red Sox then continued to pile on runs with an RBI double by Carlos Narvaez, a pivotal three-run home run to center field by Trevor Story, an RBI single by David Hamilton, and a walk by Ceddanne Rafaela. Roman Anthony capped the scoring with another RBI single before Burns was pulled from the game. Burns’ final line was rough: 0.1 innings pitched, five hits allowed, seven runs (five earned), two walks, and no strikeouts, resulting in his first major league loss (0-1). This start contrasted sharply with his debut the previous week, where he made history by becoming the first starting pitcher in the expansion era to strike out the first five batters he faced. The seven-run first inning was the Red Sox’s most explosive start to a game since scoring eight runs in the first inning on July 19, 2021, against the Toronto Blue Jays. Red Sox manager Alex Cora credited his hitters for effectively attacking Burns’ pitches.
Pitching Performances and Team Context
On the mound, Red Sox starting pitcher Garrett Crochet secured the win, improving his record to 8-4. Crochet pitched six innings, allowing five runs (four earned) on seven hits and a walk, while striking out nine batters. Despite allowing five runs, he completed six frames for the seventh straight start. Crochet retired the first 10 batters he faced before the Reds managed three runs in the fourth inning. This was the fourth time in 18 starts this season that Crochet allowed more than two runs, but it marked his first win by decision pitching at Fenway Park this season. Crochet commented post-game, “I wish it could’ve been a better start,” but acknowledged the importance of the win, stating, “wins are wins, and right now, we’ll take them anyway we can get them.” Trevor Story added that the team felt they “owed” Crochet a win due to his consistent strong performances often lacking run support. Newly acquired right-hander Jordan Hicks also made a scoreless debut in the eighth inning.
For the Cincinnati Reds, Austin Hays provided some offensive bright spots with a two-run triple and a solo home run. Despite having won five of their previous seven games, the Reds were unable to keep pace with Boston’s offensive outburst. The Red Sox, conversely, secured just their second win in their last nine games with this decisive victory, moving their record to 42-44.
Beyond the Box Score: Added History at Fenway
The series opener added several layers of historical interest beyond Abreu’s record-breaking performance. Former Red Sox manager Terry Francona returned to Fenway Park, now managing the Cincinnati Reds after coming out of retirement. His return was a nostalgic moment for many in Boston, as he is nearing 2,000 career managerial wins. The series also coincided with the 50th anniversary of the legendary 1975 World Series between the Red Sox and Reds, widely considered one of baseball’s greatest Fall Classics, which Cincinnati ultimately won in seven games. Several members of that historic 1975 Red Sox team, including Hall of Famer Jim Rice, Dwight Evans, and Carlton Fisk, were reportedly in attendance, adding an extra layer of history to an already memorable night.
Frequently Asked Questions
How rare is it for a MLB player to hit a grand slam and an inside-the-park home run in the same game?
Hitting both a grand slam and an inside-the-park home run in the same Major League Baseball game is exceptionally rare. Wilyer Abreu’s performance marked just the sixth time in MLB history this specific combination has occurred. The list of players to achieve this feat includes Jocko Fields (1890), Everett Scott (1923), Charlie Gehringer (1930), Jim Tabor (1939), Roger Maris (1958), and now Wilyer Abreu (2025). Abreu is the first player to do it in nearly 67 years, since Roger Maris in 1958.
Can you describe how Wilyer Abreu’s inside-the-park home run occurred at Fenway Park?
Wilyer Abreu’s inside-the-park home run happened in the fifth inning against the Reds. He hit a deep fly ball towards the center field wall at Fenway Park. The ball took an unusual bounce or carom off the wall, reportedly high off the fence or triangle area, staying in the field of play instead of going over. Abreu, known for his speed, was able to sprint around the bases quickly, completing his trip in under 17 seconds with a top speed of 28.8 feet per second. Despite the Reds’ efforts to retrieve the ball, he successfully rounded the bases and slid safely into home plate before the ball could be relayed. It was the first inside-the-park homer at Fenway Park since 2011.
What were Wilyer Abreu’s full stats for the game, and what was the final score?
For the game where he made history, Wilyer Abreu finished 2-for-5 at the plate. Both of his hits were home runs: the inside-the-park solo shot and the grand slam. He accounted for a total of five runs batted in (RBIs) during the contest. After this performance, his season stats stood at a .256 batting average with 16 home runs and 45 RBIs. The final score of the game was a decisive victory for the Boston Red Sox over the Cincinnati Reds, 13-6.
In conclusion, Wilyer Abreu’s monumental achievement of hitting both an inside-the-park home run and a grand slam in the same game provided a historic highlight in the Boston Red Sox’s dominant victory. His performance, combined with the team’s early offensive surge and Garrett Crochet’s win, ensured a memorable night at Fenway Park that baseball fans won’t soon forget. This rare display of power and speed not only secured a vital win but also cemented Abreu’s place in a select group of MLB history makers.
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