Final, Indians 7-4 (12 innings): Asdrubal Cabrera put an end to the marathon with a three-run homer in the 12th inning.
Mike Aviles and Michael Bourn struck back-to-back singles to set up runners at the corners with one out in the 12th. The Red Sox opted to go with five infielders, bringing in Daniel Nava from right field to play first base and shifting Brock Holt toward the middle.
It didn’t matter where everyone was stationed.
Cabrera ripped an 0-1 splitter from Edward Mujica over the right field wall for a walk-off homer. The Indians complete the sweep.
The Red Sox entered the series in Cleveland on the heels of a seven-game winning streak. They’re leaving having lost three straight.
Boston will be off Thursday, but things only get more difficult this weekend. The Red Sox are traveling to Detroit for three games against the Tigers, who swept Boston the last time the teams met.
Mid 12th, 4-4: Carlos Carrasco worked a clean 12th inning. Let’s see if the Indians can end this thing or if we’ll have another frame.
Carrasco retired the top of the Red Sox’s order. Brock Holt and Dustin Pedroia both struck out in the 12th.
Edward Mujica will enter for Boston.
End 11th, 4-4: Koji Uehara shockingly walked a guy in the 11th inning. But don’t worry. It wasn’t a big deal.
Jason Kipnis worked a leadoff walk and advanced to second base on Lonnie Chisenhall’s sacrifice bunt.
Uehara clearly wanted to keep playing baseball. He got David Murphy to pop out before striking out Yan Gomes to complete his second scoreless inning.
Mid 11th, 4-4: Jonny Gomes reached to begin the 11th inning, but the Red Sox again were held scoreless.
Gomes got plunked on the arm by Carlos Carrasco’s second pitch.
Stephen Drew tried to bunt Gomes over, but Carrasco fielded the bunt and tossed to second base for the out. The Indians almost turned two and Terry Francona came out of the dugout for a brief discussion with the umpires.
Daniel Nava and Jackie Bradley Jr. both struck out swinging to end the inning.
Koji Uehara will come back out for the 11th inning.
End 10th, 4-4: We’ll head to the 11th inning.
Koji Uehara pitched a 1-2-3 bottom of the 10th inning. He capped it with a strikeout of Michael Brantley.
Michael Bourn grounded to second base and Asdrubal Cabrera flied to right field in the 10th.
Jonny Gomes, Stephen Drew and Daniel Nava are due up for Boston in the 11th inning.
Mid 10th, 4-4: David Ortiz singled with two outs before Bryan Shaw put the finishing touches on a scoreless 10th.
Xander Bogaerts grounded back to the mound and Dustin Pedroia struck out for the first two outs of the inning.
Ortiz beat the shift with a line drive into center.
David Ross struck out swinging to end the inning. He has struck out in both of his at-bats since entering for A.J. Pierzynski.
Koji Uehara will pitch the bottom of the 10th.
End 9th, 4-4: This game started with a two and a half hour rain delay. Now, the Red Sox and Indians will play extra innings.
Junichi Tazawa tossed a scoreless ninth inning. He worked around a two-out double en route to forcing extras.
Jason Giambi made some noise with two down, hooking a line-drive double into the right field corner. Tazawa bounced back to retire Mike Aviles on a fly ball to center field.
Xander Bogaerts, Dustin Pedroia and David Ortiz are due up for Boston in the 10th inning.
Mid 9th, 4-4: The Red Sox came up empty in the top of the ninth inning.
Stephen Drew struck out against John Axford to begin the ninth. Drew is 0-for-3 with a walk, a run and two strikeouts in his second game since returning to the Red Sox.
Josh Outman replaced Axford and retired Daniel Nava on a routine fly ball to right field.
Jackie Bradley Jr. yanked a ball to the right side that probably should have been the third out. First baseman Lonnie Chisenhall couldn’t handle it, though, and Bradley reached.
Bradley was given a base hit, although Chisenhall, who was playing toward the line, would have been better off letting second baseman Jason Kipnis handle the ground ball.
Brock Holt, who tied the game in the seventh inning with a two-run single, flied out to right field to end the inning.
Junichi Tazawa will pitch the ninth inning for Boston. It’s somewhat surprising that John Farrell isn’t turning to Koji Uehara in a tie game on the road, especially with Thursday’s off day.
End 8th, 4-4: Craig Breslow, who recorded the final two outs of the seventh inning, returned to pitch a 1-2-3 eighth inning.
Breslow took care of Michael Brantley, Jason Kipnis and Lonnie Chisenhall without any issues.
Mid 8th, 4-4: The Red Sox didn’t carry any momentum into the eighth inning.
Nick Hagadone retired David Ortiz and David Ross. Ortiz grounded to the right side, and Ross struck out swinging in his first at-bat since taking over behind the plate for A.J. Pierzynski, who was ejected in the sixth inning.
John Axford entered the game with two down and struck out Jonny Gomes, who pinch-hit for Grady Sizemore. Gomes (again) went down looking.
Gomes will remain in the game in left field. Daniel Nava will shift from left field to right field.
End 7th, 4-4: Burke Badenhop and Craig Breslow combined to work a scoreless seventh inning.
Mike Aviles led off with a ground ball to third base. Xander Bogaerts made the play in on the grass and chucked to first.
Breslow then replaced Badenhop. The left-hander struck out both Michael Bourn and Asdrubal Cabrera.
Mid 7th, 4-4: The Red Sox and Indians are trading blows.
Brock Holt tied the score at four apiece with a two-run single minutes after the Indians posted a three spot in the sixth inning.
Stephen Drew and Daniel Nava reached to begin the seventh inning. Drew walked and Nava shot a single into left field.
Jackie Bradley Jr. dropped down a sacrifice bunt to move both Drew and Nava into scoring position. It worked to perfection, as Holt delivered a single into center field to tie the game.
The Red Sox had an opportunity to grab the lead, as Holt took second base on Scott Atchison’s wild pitch. But Atchison struck out Xander Bogaerts and retired Dustin Pedroia on a line drive to right field.
End 6th, Indians 4-2: A.J. Pierzynski was ejected in the sixth inning for arguing with home plate umpire Quinn Wolcott.
That ended up being the least of Boston’s concerns.
Brandon Workman walked Asdrubal Cabrera to open the inning. Pierzynski could be seen having a conversation with Wolcott, but he didn’t show him up at all, so it was surprising to see the hook.
Red Sox manager John Farrell charged out of the dugout to intervene immediately following Pierzynski’s ejection. It was a strange ejection, to say the least.
David Ross took over behind the dish.
Michael Brantley followed with a single that put runners at first and third with no outs. Farrell turned to left-hander Chris Capuano at that point. Capuano was ineffective.
Jason Kipnis tied the game with a line drive into center field. Lonnie Chisenhall dropped down a perfectly placed bunt to load the bases, and David Murphy gave the Indians a 4-2 lead with a two-run single into right field.
Burke Badenhop entered and minimized the damage.
Badenhop induced a ground ball to third base, and Xander Bogaerts fired home to cut down Lonnie Chisenhall. Jason Giambi grounded into an inning-ending double play.
Mid 6th, Red Sox 2-1: David Ortiz gave the Red Sox a 2-1 lead with one swing of the bat.
Ortiz ripped a two-run homer into the seats in right-center field. It was Ortiz’s 13th home run of the season and his first extra-base hit since going deep against the Atlanta Braves on Memorial Day (May 26).
Ortiz only had one extra-base hit since May 14 before going yard off Corey Kluber in the sixth inning.
Xander Bogaerts was plunked on the elbow to begin the inning. Dustin Pedroia then lined out to right field before Oritz smoked his game-altering blast.
End 5th, Indians 1-0: The Red Sox now have won two challenges in this series.
Mike Aviles hit a ground ball to the left side with one out. Stephen Drew charged in and to his right to make the play. His throw to first base was in the dirt, but Brock Holt picked it.
Aviles initially was called safe and Red Sox manager John Farrell called for a challenge. It was a bang-bang play, but replays showed the throw clearly beat Aviles.
Yan Gomes, who walked to begin the inning, advanced to second base on Aviles’ groundout.
Brandon Workman completed the scoreless inning by getting Michael Bourn to ground to second base.
Mid 5th, Indians 1-0: The Indians aren’t a good defensive team. You’d never know it by the leather they tossed around in the fifth inning.
Daniel Nava struck out to begin the inning. Nava went down looking at a curveball on the outside corner and didn’t agree with the call.
Jackie Bradley Jr. poked one to left field with one out. Michael Brantley ranged back and made a nice leaping catch before banging into the wall.
Jason Kipnis then made an excellent play at second base while ranging up the middle. Kipnis fielded it on the back hand and delivered an off-balance strike to throw out Brock Holt.
End 4th, Indians 1-0: Brandon Workman overcame Michael Brantley’s leadoff single in the fourth inning.
Jason Kipnis grounded to the right side. First baseman Brock Holt made the play and tossed to second, but that was the only out the Red Sox could record. Holt needed to deliver a soft throw to second base to avoid hitting Brantley.
Lonnie Chisenhall flied out to shallow center field, and David Murphy flied out to Daniel Nava down the left field line.
Mid 4th, Indians 1-0: David Ortiz led off the fourth inning with a five-pitch walk. The Red Sox couldn’t build on it.
A.J. Pierzynski grounded to the right side, where second baseman Jason Kipnis made the play and tossed to second base for a forceout. The ball was hit too softly to turn two.
Grady Sizemore also yanked a ground ball to the right side. First baseman Lonnie Chisenhall couldn’t handle it cleanly, so he was forced to take the sure out at first base as Pierzynski took second.
Stephen Drew struck out swinging to end the inning. He’s still looking for his first hit since his return.
End 3rd, Indians 1-0: Brandon Workman enjoyed his second straight 1-2-3 inning in the third.
Mike Aviles, Michael Bourn and Asdrubal Cabrera were handled rather easily.
Bourn sent one toward the right-center field gap, but Jackie Bradley Jr., per usual, got a good jump and glided over to make the catch.
Cabrera struck out swinging to end the inning. He chased a curveball in the dirt.
Mid 3rd, Indians 1-0: Corey Kluber is doing a good job of jumping ahead of hitters.
Kluber threw three first-pitch strikes while tossing a perfect third inning. The top of the Red Sox’s order couldn’t get anything going.
Brock Holt and Xander Bogaerts both flied out to center field. Dustin Pedroia grounded to third base.
End 2nd, Indians 1-0: Brandon Workman was much more effective in the second inning.
Workman recorded two strikeouts in a 1-2-3 inning. David Murphy and Yan Gomes both went down swinging.
Workman went upstairs with a fastball to put away Murphy. Gomes fanned on a cutter.
Jason Giambi grounded out to end the inning.
Mid 2nd, Indians 1-0: The Red Sox, who have squandered several scoring chances in this series, stranded two in scoring position in the second inning.
A.J. Pierzynski led off with a double, but Corey Kluber bounced back to retire Grady Sizemore and Stephen Drew. Sizemore struck out swinging, and Drew hit a chopper back to the mound handled by Kluber.
Kluber hit Daniel Nava in the ankle area with two outs. Both Nava and Pierzynski advanced a station when Kluber fired a wild pitch in the dirt with Jackie Bradley Jr. batting.
Bradley struck out looking to end the inning and the threat. He was frozen by a curveball on the outside corner.
End 1st, Indians 1-0: The Indians have scored in the first inning of every game this series.
Asdrubal Cabrera got things going in this one with a one-out, bloop single into center field. Dustin Pedroia ranged out, but the ball dropped in front of center fielder Jackie Bradley Jr.
Cabrera swiped second base for his fifth steal of the season. It took Brandon Workman a while to get the ball to the plate, and catcher A.J. Pierzynski had no chance of throwing out Cabrera.
Michael Brantley gave the Indians a 1-0 lead with an RBI single into center field.
Mid 1st, 0-0:Â Corey Kluber worked around a two-out single in a scoreless first inning after the lengthy rain delay.
Brock Holt led off the game with a line drive to second base. It was hit hard but right at Jason Kipnis.
Dustin Pedroia followed Xander Bogaerts’ flyout with a ground ball into center field for a two-out hit.
David Ortiz grounded into the shift on the right side to end the inning.
9:33 p.m.: Better late than never.
Finally, we have baseball. Brock Holt takes a first-pitch strike.
The rain delay lasted well over two hours.
8:59 p.m.: The first pitch is now scheduled for 9:30 p.m.
Johnny Football was introduced to the Cleveland crowd, but reports indicate he’s now left the building.
8:49 p.m.: We still don’t have baseball.
The rain delay in Cleveland is nearing the one hour, 45 minute mark. It’s still very wet at Progressive Field.
Both teams have an off day Thursday, so they, theoretically, could play the game then.
There’s also a chance the Red Sox could opt to play the game at a later mutual off day. The CBA says players have to give permission before playing more than 20 days in a row, and playing tomorrow would make 37 straight days for the Red Sox.
7:50 p.m.: If there’s one positive from the rain delay, it’s that it’s throwing a wrench in Johnny Football’s plans.
Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel is scheduled to throw out the first pitch. It’s also dollar hot dog night in Cleveland, for what it’s worth.
7:06 p.m.: It’s official. It’s a rain delay in Cleveland.
This rain delay is presented by L.L. Bean.
6:50 p.m.: The Indians are projecting an 8:30 start time. Stay tuned, although a delay seems inevitable.
5:40 p.m.: The forecast in Cleveland calls for rain until around 8:30 p.m. or so. A delayed start seems all but certain, and the hope is that this game could start up around 9 p.m.
But again, I’m not a meteorologist, so don’t quote me on any of that. Just spitballing here.
4:20 p.m.: Stephen Drew will return to the lineup Wednesday.
Drew, who made his season debut Monday, sat out Tuesday’s game as the Red Sox went up against a left-hander in T.J. House. Drew will bat seventh against Corey Kluber.
Daniel Nava also is in the Red Sox’s lineup. Nava was recalled from Triple-A Pawtucket before Monday’s game when Mike Carp was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a fractured foot. It’s been a rough year for Nava, but the Red Sox certainly could use his help, as Boston’s outfield has struggled this season.
Wednesday’s complete lineups are below.
Boston Red Sox (27-31)
Brock Holt, 1B
Xander Bogaerts, 3B
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
David Ortiz, DH
A.J. Pierzynski, C
Grady Sizemore, RF
Stephen Drew, SS
Daniel Nava, LF
Jackie Bradley Jr., CF
Brandon Workman, RHP (0-0, 3.24 ERA)
Cleveland Indians (29-30)
Michael Bourn, CF
Asdrubal Cabrera, SS
Michael Brantley, LF
Jason Kipnis, 2B
Lonnie Chisenhall, 1B
David Murphy, RF
Yan Gomes, C
Jason Giambi, DH
Mike Aviles, 3B
Corey Kluber, RHP (5-3, 3.10 ERA)
4 p.m. ET: For one week, everything was right for the Boston Red Sox.
The Red Sox won seven straight following a 10-game losing streak, and the club finally appeared to be playing with the same energy and confidence that was prevalent during last year’s World Series run. Now, the Red Sox head into Wednesday’s game against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field trying to avoid a three-game sweep.
Brandon Workman will take the ball for Boston on Wednesday. Workman was suspended six games Tuesday by Major League Baseball for throwing a pitch behind Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Evan Longoria in Friday’s game at Fenway Park. The right-hander is in the process of appealing the ban, though, and he’ll be tasked with getting Boston back on track in the series finale.
The Red Sox fell behind in the first inning of each of the first two games of this series. They’ve battled back in both contests, but their rallies didn’t do anything to disrupt the outcome. Michael Bourn delivered the big blow Tuesday, drilling a two-run double over Jonny Gomes’ head in the bottom of the seventh inning after Dustin Pedroia tied the game in the top half of the inning with an RBI double.
Wednesday’s first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. The forecast in Cleveland calls for rain, so stick around for updates.
