The Boston Red Sox picked up their third straight victory and are now 5-3 in their last eight after their 8-5 win over the Indians Friday night to open a three-game weekend set. It was a slugfest, as the two clubs combined for six homers.
In fact, the first six runs of the ballgame were produced on homers. Kyle Schwarber and Kevin Plawecki swatted solo shots in the first and second inning, while Jose Ramirez got Cleveland on the board with a solo big fly of his own in the top of the fourth.
Jonathan Arauz put The Tribe’s deficit back to two though in the following half inning, with yet another solo blast, the third of his career.
Nathan Eovaldi started the seventh, but served up a two-run jack to the No. 8 hitter, Austin Hedges, and was relieved by Adam Ottavino.
Ottavino successfully got out of the frame with the score knotted up at 3-3, but Schwarber untied the knot as Boston regained the lead on his RBI double. Hunter Renfroe then put a charge into one, swatting a three-run shot over the Green Monster to give the Sox the 8-3 lead.
Ryan Brasier, who pitched for the Sox for the first time since 2020 after suffering a pair of injuries, and Garrett Whitlock each let up RBI singles in the final two frames but Whitlock struck out Bradley Zimmer to capture the victory.
Jack Lopez grabs first career hit:
In the second inning, facing Cal Quantrill, Jack Lopez lined an 0-1 delivery into center off Cal Quantrill for a double, as he notched his first career hit.
Rafael Devers debuts at second base:
With Jack Lopez and Jonathan Arauz out of the ballgame, manager Alex Cora inserted the third baseman at second. He fielded two grounders cleanly.
(Photo By Winslow Townson/Getty Images)