The Boston Red Sox avoided a sweep when they defeated the Cincinnati Reds, 8-2, on Thursday night at Fenway Park.
With the win, the Red Sox improved to 29-27 on the season while the Red fell to 26-30 on the campaign.
Check out the full box score here.
ONE BIG TAKEAWAY
The Red Sox's bats waited until the eighth inning to show up, but it paid off when Boston scored six runs to end the three-game skid coming into the series finale with the Reds. The Red Sox tagged Cincinnati pitching for eight runs on eight hits, including two home runs.
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The win came after Chris Sale left the game in the fourth inning after two trainer visits to the mound. The Red Sox reported that the ace left the game due to left shoulder soreness after throwing 59 pitches allowing one run on five hits while striking out six and walking one batter.
The bullpen surrendered one run on two hits in the remainder of the game, giving Chris Martin the win.
STARS OF THE GAME
-- Kiké Hernández launched his fifth home run of the season into the Green Monster seats. He finished the night 2-for-4 at the plate with 3 RBIs. The 31-year-old is slashing .235/.308/.369.
-- Rafael Devers went 2-for-4 from the plate with two doubles, an RBI and a walk.
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-- Connor Wong launched his sixth home run of the season as part of Boston's six-run eighth inning. The catcher finished the night 1-for-4 with two RBIs.
WAGER WATCH
FanDuel Sportsbook set the odds of Hernández hitting the first home run of the game at +1800. The shortstop's seventh-inning solo shot netted $100 bettors a $1900 payout.
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ON DECK AT NESN
The Red Sox continue their homestand on Friday night when they open a four-game series with the American League-leading Tampa Bay Rays. First pitch from Fenway Park is scheduled for 7:10p.m. ET. You can catch all the action, including an hour of pregame coverage, on NESN.
Featured image via David Butler II/USA TODAY Sports Images
