With his home run in the eighth inning, Red Sox outfielder Tyler O'Neill became the first player in Major League Baseball history to homer in five consecutive opening day games.
O'Neill was playing in his first game with Boston, joining the team in an offseason trade after six years with the Cardinals. His previous opening day home runs were from 2020-2023 with St. Louis.
The solo home run off Mariners reliever Cody Bolton came at a big moment for Boston, an insurance run that extended the lead to 6-4, which would be the final score.
O'Neill won two Gold Glove awards and finished eighth in 2021 NL MVP voting – with 34 home runs and a .912 OPS – but struggled with injuries his last two years in St. Louis.
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