Every other Major League Baseball team had already been swept a few times.
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The Red Sox (55-42) still have a half-ame lead for the first wild card thanks to a 13-6 July record. Justin Verlander picked up his tenth win of the season for the Tigers, while Drew Pomeranz fell to an even 8-8 on the season.
The Red Sox honored him with a video tribute after the second inning.
Overall, there hasn’t been a sense of panic in the Red Sox clubhouse, in spite of the recent stumble and the formidable task ahead. But Fraser handled all of it, and won the title this year after finishing second in both 2015 and 2014.
Tigers rookie starter Michael Fulmer had another solid start, giving up three runs on seven hits with three strikeouts and no walks in 7º innings. “But most stuff hit out that way was getting knocked down”.
Mookie Betts tied the game at three with an RBI triple for Boston in the eighth. The all-star struck out four batters in the first two innings and kept the Tigers scoreless through the first five innings. The 27-year-old would allow just two hits over that span. “Unfortunately it didn’t work out, but Miggy came up huge in the top of the ninth”. They’re also a ideal 5-0 in his last five outings against American League East opponents and are 9-0 in his last nine starts when their opponent scores five runs or more in its previous game, as the Red Sox did last night in their 9-8 loss to the Tigers. He gave up just two runs on four hits with three strikeouts and three walks over six innings.
Ortiz made it a one-run game with his third-inning blast, which came on a 3-2 pitch from Pelfrey and sailed over the bullpens.
Red Sox: Closer Craig Kimbrel had a bullpen session.
In the eighth, another former starter Clay Buchholz took over and ran into more trouble. Buchholz’s awful season continues, as his ERA remains over six at 6.06. Wright was leading the AL in ERA entering Tuesday.
Wright had won his last four starts, going eight innings in a win over the Twins on Thursday when he allowed two runs – one earned – on four hits and struck out nine.
Shaw’s line-drive double allowed Jackie Bradley Jr.to score from first base in the second inning, opening the scoring. Boston is also 1-4 in Rodriguez’s last five starts, and 0-4 in Rodriguez’s last four home starts. The Red Sox had two on and two out in the seventh against Shane Greene, but Bogaerts popped up to Iglesias to end the threat. Xander Bogaerts flied out to center and David Ortiz flied out to right. Leon now accompanies a.400 average as he is 32-80. “That would be the most optimistic scenario”, Red Sox manager John Farrell said. Holt now has a.130 average in 23 at-bats against southpaws this season.
With closer Francisco Rodriguez away from the team to deal with a personal matter and Shane Greene unavailable due to frequent usage of late, left-hander Justin Wilson earned his first career save for the Tigers.
– Aaron Hill collected his first extra-base hit (double) as a member of the Red Sox.
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“K-Rod” stayed in the game in the ninth, and retired the Red Sox in order, preserving the victory.
