Rafael Devers gets first hit of season after historic strikeout streak

Boston Red Sox designated hitter Rafael Devers. Reggie Hildred-Imagn Images

Watch: Red Sox's Rafael Devers finally gets first hit of season after historic strikeout streak

By Clark Dalton | Last updated Apr 2, 2025 9:03 PM ET

Perhaps Boston fans rejoiced when Red Sox designated hitter Rafael Devers logged his first hit against the Baltimore Orioles on Wednesday.

With Boston leading 2-0 at the top of the fifth inning, Devers doubled into right field off a 79 mph curveball from starting pitcher Zach Eflin. Red Sox shortstop Ceddanne Rafaela scored on the play.

Exhale, Raffy pic.twitter.com/VTxxIWmn68
— MLB (@MLB) April 2, 2025

Entering Wednesday night's road matchup against the Baltimore Orioles, Devers was stuck in one of the worst slumps of his career.

Through his first five games, he was 0-for-19 at the plate. He also struck out 15 times, an MLB record through a player's first five games, per ESPN's David Schoenfield.

Devers switched from third base to DH before the season started. A player's numbers can dip when they make this position change.

Minnesota Twins center fielder Byron Buxton played DH during the 2023 season. In 85 regular-season games, Buxton posted a .207 batting average. In 2024, he switched back to center field and finished with a .279 batting average in 102 games.

However, a player of Devers' caliber should find his groove over the course of the season. In nine seasons with Boston, he has made three All-Star Games and won two Silver Sluggers.

Clark Dalton

Dalton is a 2022 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He gained experience in sports media over the past seven years — from live broadcasting and creating short films to podcasting and producing. In college, he wrote for The Daily Texan. He loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.

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