The Boston Red Sox return to the loss column for a second straight time after losing to the Cincinnati Reds, 9-8, to open up their three-game series at Fenway Park on Tuesday night.
The Red Sox dropped to 28-26 while the Reds improved to 25-29 on their campaign.
Check out the full box score here.
ONE BIG TAKEAWAY
Boston was unable to shake off its offensive drought, which began during its nine-game road trip on the West Coast.
That struggle for a spark in run production carried over to Fenway Park, as the Red Sox were unable to apply any pressure on Cincinatti's pitching early on. In the second inning, Boston had a golden opportunity to apply that pressure early on, having runners on second and third with nobody out, then -- in that same inning -- with the bases loaded and one out, resulting in a wasted chance that could've easily altered the outcome of the night.
In the seventh, just one swing of the bat from José Barrero doubled Cincinatti's lead to 8-0, which brought the lead far beyond reach at the time for the Red Sox. Barrero launched a towering grand slam off Boston reliever Joely Rodríguez, sending Red Sox manager Alex Cora to the mound for a call to the bullpen.
The Red Sox did muster up a three-run rally in the seventh and another for five runs in the bottom of the ninth -- bringing Cincinatti's lead within one run -- but by that time it was far too late.
Boston has lost six of its last eight.
STARS OF THE GAME
-- Barrero delivered the biggest swing of the night (and his career), blasting the first grand slam of his career and finishing 2-for-2 with a walk and four RBIs. The 25-year-old entered the game as an injury replacement and made the most in answering the call.
-- Ramiel Tapia was the lone spark in Boston's stagnant offense, going 3-for-5 falling just a home run short of the cycle and responsible for two of Boston's six total extra-base hits. The 29-year-old veteran also recorded a milestone 500th base hit of his eight-year career, in the process.
--Reds starter Ben Lively held the Red Sox scoreless on the mound through 5 2/3 innings, allowing just four hits and two walks while striking out six hitters before handing it off to the bullpen.
WAGER WATCH
FanDuel Sportsbook set odds of Tapia recording a multi-hit night at +105. Tapia cleared those odds being Boston's only hitter to notch two-plus hits against the Reds. A $100 wager placed on the left-handed hitter would've resulted in a $205 total payout.
UP NEXT ON NESN
The Red Sox are Reds return to action for the second game of the series on Wednesday night. First pitch from Fenway Park is set for 7:10 p.m. ET, and you can watch the game, plus a full hour of pregame coverage, live on NESN.
