A nightmare start to the 2025 season is over for Rafael Devers. The Red Sox DH broke out of his slump with a two-hit night for Boston in the a 3-0 win over the Baltimore Orioles on Wednesday.

Devers entered the game 0-for-19 at the plate this season, and that slump grew to 0-for-21 when he fouled out and grounded out in his first two at-bats in Baltimore. That he made contact in those first two at-bats was a step in the right direction, and set the stage for Devers to bust his slump in the top of the fifth.

Devers spent the offseason recovering from a pair of shoulder injuries that plagued him for the majority of the 2024 season, and it was clear through Boston's first five games something was very off with his swing. While some believed he was still sour about being moved from third base to full-time DH, Boston manager Alex Cora continued to back Devers and expressed confidence that the dam would break soon.

The patience was rewarded Wednesday night.

Rafael Devers gets first hit of 2025 season

With the Red Sox ahead 2-0 in the fifth inning, Devers dug in with two outs and speedster Ceddanne Rafaela on first. It was a great opportunity for Boston to add to its lead and Devers to break out of his slump, especially given his success against O's starter Zach Eflin.

Devers took the first three pitches he saw from the Baltimore righty and was ahead in the count, 2-1, when he made Eflin pay for a curveball down in the zone. Devers ripped the pitch into right field -- with the ball traveling 109.5 MPH off his bat -- and hustled his way into second base as Rafaela sped around the bases and slid home, putting Boston on top 3-0. He's now 7-for-19 in his career against Eflin.

Even better than the hit was the smile that graced Devers' face as he celebrated at second base. He was overjoyed and relieved to get off the snide and record his first hit of the 2025 season, and was given a huge ovation from the Boston dugout and the Red Sox faithful in the stands at Oriole Park.

"I enjoy it a lot," Devers said through his interpreter after the Boston victory. "It makes me happy, seeing that reaction, because that makes me see that they're paying attention to my at-bat and they're supporting me. And it makes me feel very, very happy about that."

Devers recorded his second hit of the night (and season) with a single to center field in the eighth inning. After striking out three or more times in four of his first five games and setting a record with 15 Ks over that span, Devers did not strike out at all on Wednesday. He swung and missed at just three pitches in his four at-bats.

It's going to take a lot more two-hit nights for Devers to boost his .087 average to a respectable level, but sometimes it only takes one hit to get a batter going. The Red Sox are hoping the floodgates are now open for one of their most important hitters in the lineup.

"We all needed that one," Cora said after the win.