The momentum from two straight wins over the Baltimore Orioles didn't carry over for the Boston Red Sox as they fell to the Pittsburgh Pirates, 7-6, at Fenway Park on Monday night.
The Red Sox dropped to 2-2 while the Pirates improved to 2-2.
Check out the full box score here.
ONE BIG TAKEAWAY
The starting pitching of the Red Sox continues to put them at a disadvantage and this time Boston wasn't able to overcome its struggles on the mound.
Kutter Crawford was the latest starting pitcher for the Red Sox to get shelled, allowing seven runs on eight hits and walking two in just four innings of work.
Boston's offense did its best to make up for Crawford's shortcomings, especially by smacking three home runs in a five-run first inning. But even that plus another standout showing from the bullpen wasn't enough.
Right now, starting pitching is the only piece, albeit a big one, that the Red Sox are missing.
STARS OF THE GAME
-- Bryan Reynolds powered the Pirates' offense as he launched two solo home runs in the win. He finished 3-for-5.
-- Masataka Yoshida continues to be a source of offense from the cleanup spot in the order. He swatted a two-run shot over the Green Monster in the first inning for the first home run of his Major League Baseball career.
-- Adam Duvall continued to stay red-hot for the Red Sox. He reached base four times off of two hits and two walks while also driving in a run.
WAGER WATCH
Red Sox rookie Triston Casas swatted his first home run of the season in the bottom of the first inning and FanDuel Sportsbook had +600 odds of him doing so. A $100 wager on this prop bet would have netted a total of $700.
ON DECK AT NESN
The Red Sox and Pirates meet in the middle game of their three-game series on Tuesday. First pitch from Fenway Park is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. ET, and you can watch the game, plus an hour of pregame coverage on NESN.
