But the Sox did more than check out their future last night against the Rays. They won in the present, 12-5, at Fenway Park, as Kalish put on a hitting display that included his second grand slam of the season in just 32 games, making him the seventh Red Sox rookie to hit two in one season, the first since Bob Zupcic in 1992. That perhaps brought a measure of satisfaction against a team that had, for all intents and purposes, knocked the Sox out of the wild-card race last weekend in St. Petersburg, Fla.
“Aw, man, what a good swing,’’ manager Terry Francona said of Kalish’s shot to right. “Took a very welcome swing. Good for him.’’
It was a demonstration what Kalish has to offer. The outfielder also doubled, and added two stolen bases and three runs. In a lineup replete with rookies — Daniel Nava, Kalish, Anderson (big league debut), Yamaico Navarro — it was Kalish who stood out the most, as he makes a bid to accelerate his timeline to the major leagues.
“I think he’s really an intelligent kid,’’ Francona said. “I think he’s aggressive by nature. He’s probably getting a lot thrown at him pretty quickly. Regardless of what his batting average ends up the last three weeks of the season, this experience I have no doubt will be great for him.
“Because there’s going to be a point in his career where he’s a really good player. But he still has some maturing to do as a player. You’re going to get every ounce of what he has every day. The at-bats are huge for him right now.’’
Up with the bases loaded in the fourth, the Sox already leading, 7-2, Kalish was getting a steady diet of cutters from Andy Sonnanstine. He was, he said, looking for something in his zone. On the third cutter and fifth pitch, he got it.
“I’m not surprised at all,’’ Anderson said. “That guy is like one of the most dynamic players I’ve seen, as far as all the tools, being together. Pretty fun to watch.’’
So much for a lineup that, on paper, appeared to be overmatched. Rays starter Jeff Niemann came in with a 3.97 ERA but he couldn’t get out of the second inning, done in by the rookies and veterans.
