How Alex Bregman Reacted To Homering Off Close Friend, Ex-Teammate

Boston Red Sox third baseman Alex Bregman knew his track record against Orioles starting pitcher Charlie Morton wasn’t good.

Bregman had just one hit in 14 at-bats against the veteran right-hander. But in Thursday’s 8-4 win for the Red Sox over the Orioles at Camden Yards, it was Bregman’s turn to get the better of Morton.

Bregman did that in the top of the first inning, belting a 397-foot two-run home run to left field for his first round-tripper in a Red Sox uniform. The homer came with even more significance for the veteran third baseman since he played two seasons with Morton on the Houston Astros. The two even won a World Series together in 2017.

“He’s a really tough at-bat and obviously have so much respect for him being his teammate,” Bregman told reporters, per MassLive’s Christopher Smith. “He is a great dude and a really good competitor.”

Bregman didn’t wait around to jump on a pitch from Morton, which was by design. Bregman jumped all over the first pitch Morton offered — a 92 mph fastball that stayed in the middle of zone and Bregman deposited into the left-field seats.

“Just trying something new because normally when I let him get to two strike counts, he’s really tough and puts (me) away,” Bregman said. “So was fortunate enough to get one there. I don’t know. Normally I don’t really swing a lot (first pitch) and I take. But every once in a while — break it out.”

Unlike some of his teammates, Bregman hadn’t got off to a very slow start at the plate, but still had yet to produce a standout performance to show why the Red Sox gave him a three-year, $120 million deal this offseason.

But the homer from Bregman was just the beginning of his best showing in a Red Sox uniform in the early part of this season. He finished 3-for-5 with two doubles and two RBIs.

“He’s very smart and he cares about his teammates. And to see him perform is super cool,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora told reporters, per Smith. “That ball he hit to right-center (for a double), that’s a good sign to be honest with you.”