This season hasn't exactly been the best for Boston Red Sox designated hitter Masataka Yoshida, as he's battled injuries and lost playing time due to the team's reluctance to play him in the field.
However, Friday night was a bright spot for Yoshida, as he entered the batter's box in the ninth inning with his team down by two runs, with a man on base and with two outs.
On a full count, Yoshida smashed a pitched 405 feet to right field to tie the game and give Boston a chance to win it in extras, which they did with Ceddanne Rafaela's two-run shot in the 10th.
After the game, Yoshida shared his feelings on the home run.
“Situation-wise and the stadium, here at Yankee Stadium, I think that’s one of the biggest highlights of my career with the Red Sox,” Yoshida said (via. MassLive). “It’s huge obviously to be able to hit a home run in that clutch situation and just share the happiness with the teammates. That was big.”
He didn't want to get too high while rounding the bases, but he was ecstatic to come through for his team.
“I was obviously happy and excited but as I was running around the bases, it was still tied in that situation,” Yoshida said. “So maybe later we’ll kind of get excited more.”
The Red Sox got to celebrate more later. After Rafaela's home run put the team up 5-3, Kenley Jansen closed it out and saved Boston's fifth win in a row.
