The Boston Red Sox nearly gave their fans a heart attack, but they ultimately were able to breathe a sigh of relief after Monday’s game against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field.
Drew Pomeranz turned in a solid start, giving the Red Sox everything they needed for a win. However, the offense put up just three runs on the Indians, who made this game extremely difficult for Boston.
Closer Craig Kimbrel nearly blew a save in the ninth inning, but he eventually was able to hold things down to help the Red Sox earn a 3-2 win and give Pomeranz his first victory with Boston.
Here’s how it all unfolded.
GAME IN A WORD
Grind.
These are two really good teams, so it was obvious from the beginning that neither would go down easily. The Indians struck first with a solo home run off the bat of Rajai Davis, but the Red Sox came surging back in the sixth inning with three runs. The Indians chipped away at that lead, keeping things close until the very end.
IT WAS OVER WHEN…
Kimbrel got out of the ninth inning without giving up a run.
Boston’s closer started the frame by giving up a double to Francisco Lindor and walking Mike Napoli. Luckily for the Red Sox, he struck out his next two batters and induced a weak fly in the infield to get the save.
ON THE BUMP
— Pomeranz had his best outing with the Red Sox, and this time, the team gave the lefty the support he needed. Pomeranz had given up just one run on three hits through five innings, but he still was down 1-0 heading into the sixth inning. He was gifted three runs in that frame, though, and went on to finish strong.
Pomeranz allowed two runs on five hits with two walks and six strikeouts over 7 2/3 innings. He earned his first win with the Red Sox.
— Fernando Abad relieved Pomeranz for the final out of the eighth inning. He got Indians third baseman Jose Ramirez to pop out.
— Kimbrel turned in a dramatic ninth, putting runners at first and second with no outs. But he reeled it back in after that, finishing the frame with two strikeouts.
IN THE BATTER’S BOX
— David Ortiz was frustrated after grouding into a double play in the fourth inning, so he took his anger out on a baseball in the sixth, launching a two-run shot into the stands to give Boston a 2-1 lead.
— Jackie Bradley Jr. also homered in the sixth inning. He went 2-for-4.
— Dustin Pedroia continued to produce, going 2-for-5 with a run scored. The second baseman is batting .354 (17-for-48) in August.
— Xander Bogaerts (1-for-4) and Mookie Betts (1-for-3) also collected hits Monday. Betts walked in the eighth inning.
— Aaron Hill (1-for-4) and Travis Shaw (1-for-4) both got their first hits in the ninth inning, with a single and a double, respectively.
— Bryan Holaday (0-for-4) and Andrew Benintendi (0-for-4) went hitless.
TWEET OF THE DAY
We’re definitely going to miss David Ortiz’s antics next season.
UP NEXT
The Red Sox continue their 11-game road trip Tuesday, starting a two-game series against the Orioles in Baltimore. Lefty Eduardo Rodriguez will start for Boston against Orioles right-hander Yovani Gallardo in the 7:05 p.m. matchup.
Thumbnail photo via David Richard-USA TODAY Sports Images
