The Boston Red Sox just need to make sure nine more don’t follow.
The Red Sox’s seven-game winning streak was snapped Monday as Justin Masterson and the Indians dealt them a 3-2 loss at Progressive Field in Cleveland. It was Boston’s first loss since May 25, when the Red Sox suffered their 10th consecutive defeat to cap a putrid stretch.
Jake Peavy will take the ball Tuesday in Cleveland as the Red Sox look to rebound against Terry Francona’s bunch. Let’s first go over what transpired Monday before shifting our attention to that contest.
— The Red Sox squandered a couple of good scoring chances early in the game.
Jonny Gomes struck out with the bases loaded in the first inning, looking at three straight pitches after jumping ahead in the count 3-0. A.J. Pierzynski grounded into two double plays, including one in the third inning with two on and one out.
— Masterson was terrific after overcoming some early struggles. He tossed seven shutout innings in which he struck out 10 and surrendered just three hits.
Masterson became the first Indians pitcher to strike out 10 batters in seven scoreless innings against the Red Sox since Sam McDowell in 1968. Masterson’s best pitch throughout the outing was his slider.
— John Lackey suffered the loss despite pitching a complete game.
Lackey uncharacteristically issued two walks in the first inning. The Indians took advantage, as Lonnie Chisenhall dropped a two-run, bloop single into left field.
— David Murphy went 3-for-3 against Lackey out of the No. 8 spot in Cleveland’s order.
— Michael Bourn reached base three times and scored two of Cleveland’s three runs. He led off the third inning with a triple and scored when Asdrubal Cabrera singled into right field.
— The Red Sox successfully challenged a play in the third inning. Michael Brantley grounded into a 3-6-3 double play but was initially called safe before the umpires overturned the call.
— There were a couple of bang-bang plays at second base on stolen-base attempts. Jason Kipnis stole second in the sixth inning, and Mike Aviles successfully snagged the bag in the seventh.
Pierzynski’s throw beat the runner in both instances. Kipnis’ hand sneaked in just ahead of shortstop Stephen Drew’s tag, and Drew seemingly missed the tag on Aviles.
The Red Sox challenged Aviles’ theft. The play was upheld after a lengthy review.
— Pierzynski’s 10-game hit streak was snapped. He went 0-for-3 with a walk.
— Brock Holt went 1-for-4 atop the order. He singled in the eighth inning and scored on Xander Bogaerts’ two-run homer.
— Bogaerts went 2-for-4 with a home run in his first game at third base this season.
— Drew went 0-for-2 with a walk and a strikeout in his return to the Red Sox.
“That’s definitely going to be an adjustment, only having like 20 at-bats (in the minors) or whatever,” Drew said. “Overall, I feel good and I feel I’m seeing the ball well and it’s just a matter of time.”
Drew looked very comfortable defensively, helping Boston turn three double plays.
“We grew accustomed very quickly to a very solid defender, a guy that knows his place on the infield,” Red Sox manager John Farrell said after the game. “His rapport with (Dustin Pedroia) is very good. He did what we anticipated tonight.”
— Grady Sizemore went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts in his return to Cleveland. He popped out to end the game.
