Red Sox Wrap: Boston Offense Can’t Solve Tigers Cy Young Candidate

The Boston Red Sox were defeated by the Detroit Tigers, 2-1, in the middle game of their three-game series at Comerica Park on Saturday night.

With the loss, Boston fell to 70-66, while Detroit improved to 69-68.

Check out the full box score here.

ONE BIG TAKEAWAY
The Red Sox got out to the early lead when Tyler O'Neill launched his 25th home run of the season in the top of the first inning off American League Cy Young candidate Tarik Skubal. After O'Neill's solo shot, Boston managed just three more hits against the southpaw.

Skubal threw 73.4% of his pitches for strikes (72-of-98 pitches), striking out eight across eight innings. Across the diamond, Nick Pivetta was solid for the Red Sox, allowing two runs on six hits and striking out six Tigers batters in six innings of work.

Pivetta gave up a two-RBI double to Trey Sweeney, scoring Spencer Torkelson and Zach McKinstry in the bottom of the second inning. After the two runs, Pivetta retired the side in order in the fourth and sixth innings before handing the ball over to Greg Weissert and Rich Hill for his second appearance since being recalled by the Red Sox on Tuesday. Weissert and Hill combined for two hitless innings.

STARS OF THE GAME
-- Skubal earned his 16th win of the season in his 27th start for Detroit.

-- O'Neill went 1-for-3 from the dish with a solo home run in the first inning, it was his 17th solo shot of the season.

-- Hill added his second solid outing in relief for Boston. He struck one of three batters he faced in 1 1/3 innings.

ON DECK AT NESN
The Red Sox and Tigers complete their three-game series on Sunday afternoon. First pitch from Comerica Park is scheduled for 1:40 p.m. ET, and you can catch the game, plus a full hour of pregame coverage, live on NESN.