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| (Getty Images) |
This one was
definitely needed. The Red Sox remained the only MLB team to avoid a four-game losing streak by
drubbing the Indians last night, 10-4. After falling behind 2-0 in the first (on one of
two HRs by
Edwin Encarnacion), Boston stormed back with one in the bottom of the opening frame. Then, the deluge. The Red Sox plated five runs in the fourth—highlighted by the first of
two solo HRs by
Xander Bogaerts and a bases-clearing three-run double by
Andrew Benintendi. Boston starter
Brian Johnson could only make it through 4.1 innings—yielding three earned runs. Five bullpen arms closed things out, with
Matt Barnes earning his fifth win of the year. Other offensive contributors were:
Mitch Moreland (2-4, HR, R, 2 RBIs);
J.D. Martinez (2-4, 2 RBIs);
Blake Swihart (104, R, RBI) and
Jackie Bradley, Jr. (2-4, 2 R). The win—coupled with a loss by
The Evil Ones—pushed Boston's lead in the AL East back up to nine games.
