Monday, August 15, 2016

Red Sox Hang On In The Ninth To Defeat Tito's Tribe, 3-2

(AP Photo)
It was another nail-biter, but the Red Sox managed a crucial win to start their 11-game road trip, a 3-2 victory over the Indians. It was another 'cardiac bullpen' ending—with Craig Kimbrel yielding a double and a walk to begin the bottom of the ninth. The Boston closer then struck out the next two Cleveland batters and got the last man to pop out to second. The save preserved the first Red Sox win for starter Drew Pomeranz—who hurled 7 2/3 solid innings, giving up just two earned runs on five hits. David Ortiz (2-4, two-run HR) and Jackie Bradley, Jr. (2-4, solo HR) provided all of the scoring offense, while Dustin Pedroia (2-5, run scored) continued his hot hitting at the top of the Red Sox lineup. The win moves Boston to within 1.5 games of the lead in the AL East as they head to Camden Yards for a huge (but brief) two-game series.