BOSTON — The Red Sox failed to capitalize on their opportunities Tuesday night, and it came back to bite them.
Left-handed starter David Price delivered a decent start against the Texas Rangers but saw it go waste when closer Craig Kimbrel gave up four runs in the ninth inning, allowing the Rangers to run away with a 7-2 victory at Fenway Park.
The Red Sox’s offense didn’t do its pitching any favors, tallying 11 hits but going 2-for-16 with runners in scoring position.
Here’s how it all went down.
GAME IN A WORD
Squandered.
The Red Sox had their chances in this one but couldn’t deliver when it counted. They left a total of 14 men on base, stranding at least one runner in every single inning.
IT WAS OVER WHEN…
Rangers catcher and No. 9 hitter Robinson Chirinos lofted a three-run homer off Kimbrel in the ninth.
Chirinos’ bomb onto the Green Monster in left field gave Texas a 7-2 lead and chased the Red Sox closer from the game.
ON THE BUMP
— Price recovered from a rocky start to deliver a pretty solid outing.
The Red Sox left-hander surrendered a solo homer to Shin-Soo Choo on his very first pitch and allowed five of the first eight Rangers batters to reach base. He limited the damage after that, however, giving up just four hits over the next seven innings.
Price allowed three runs on eight hits over eight innings while striking out 10 batters and walking one. It was the sixth time this season Price has struck out 10 batters or more.
— Kimbrel imploded in the ninth, allowing the first three runners to reach on a walk and a pair of singles before surrendering a three-run blast to Chirinos.
Kimbrel didn’t record a single out, and his four runs allowed were a career high.
— Heath Hembree relieved Kimbrel and limited the damage by retiring the final three Rangers batters.
IN THE BATTER’S BOX
— Jackie Bradley Jr. blasted a solo home run to center field in the second inning, his 14th long ball of the season. He finished 1-for-5.
— Mookie Betts went 2-for-4 with a walk and now has recorded multiple hits in eight of his last 13 games.
— Dustin Pedroia (2-for-4 with a walk and a fielder’s choice) reached base four times.
— Xander Bogaerts (0-for-4) had a quiet night at the plate but helped tie the score in the fourth when he drew a bases-loaded walk that scored Brock Holt, who led off the inning with a double.
— Hanley Ramirez (1-for-2) walked twice, was hit by a pitch and recorded his fifth stolen base of the season in the third inning.
— Travis Shaw went 2-for-4 and hit his 25th double of the season in the second inning.
TWEET OF THE NIGHT
That’s an understatement.
UP NEXT
Knuckleballer Steven Wright will take the mound Wednesday in the Red Sox’s finale vs. the Rangers at Fenway Park. Texas will counter with left-hander Martin Perez. First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. ET.
Thumbnail photo via Mark L. Baer/USA TODAY Sports Images
