BOSTON — Things keep getting worse for the Red Sox.
The Red Sox entered their weekend series against the Detroit Tigers — owners of baseball’s best record — with a chance to make a statement. Instead, Boston flopped at Fenway Park, suffering a series sweep that gives them four straight losses for the first time since 2012.
The Tigers outscored the Red Sox 13-3 during the three-game sweep. Let’s go over Sunday’s loss.
— The Red Sox’s current four-game losing streak — the first of its kind under manager John Farrell — marks Boston’s longest losing streak since the club dropped the final eight games of the 2012 season.
Somewhere, Bobby Valentine is smirking.
— Jake Peavy laid an egg for the second straight start. The right-hander gave up five earned runs on a season-high 11 hits over six innings.
On the bright side, Peavy didn’t walk anyone for the first time this season. However, he was knocked around and continued his streak of allowing a home run in each of his nine starts this season. Victor Martinez took Peavy deep into the Red Sox’s bullpen in the third inning.
“Everybody in here (in the Red Sox’s clubhouse) is frustrated,” Peavy said. “You get frustrated when you lose. Detroit’s as good a team as there is in baseball. You have to play flawless baseball to beat them and obviously we didn’t do that in any game (this series).”
— Anibal Sanchez, who was activated off the disabled list before the game, made his first start for the Tigers since April 27. He allowed two runs (one earned) on five hits and three walks over five innings.
— The Red Sox left the bases loaded in the fifth inning. Grady Sizemore hit a comebacker with one out. Sanchez snagged it and tossed to third to double-up Shane Victorino.
— Xander Bogaerts collected two hits, marking the first time in his career he’s recorded back-to-back multihit games.
— David Ortiz’s 10-game hit streak was snapped. Big Papi went 0-for-2 with two walks.
— The top of the Tigers’ order looked like Murderers’ Row.
Ian Kinsler (4-for-5, two runs), Torii Hunter (2-for-5, home run), Miguel Cabrera (3-for-4, two RBIs) and Victor Martinez (1-for-5, two-run homer) all beat up on Peavy and Co.
This, folks, is the best team the Red Sox have seen all year.
“They’re very good,” Farrell said. “There doesn’t appear to be a weak link. Their bullpen pitched outstanding, their defense overall played very well and the starting rotation was strong. As well as the top half of that lineup is swinging the bat right now, they’re a very good team.”
— Hunter’s home run was absolutely crushed over the Green Monster and into the parking lot across Lansdowne Street.
Hunter told WEEI.com after the game he has no doubts the Red Sox will be right in the thick of things come October despite their early season struggles.
“It means nothing,” Hunter reportedly said of the sweep. “I’ve been around too long. That means nothing. This is regular season. Those guys are veterans over there. They know how to play the game. No matter what, they’re still the champs. No matter if we come in right now and beat them during the season, they’re the champs. You have to beat those guys at the end of the year and in the postseason. So, we’ll see those guys in the postseason. I know they’re going to be there. They have a veteran ball club over there and they know how to play the game.”
