Cleveland Indians centerfielder Greg Allen hit a two run homerun off Boston starting pitcher Rick Porcello in the seventh inning Monday night, to lead Cleveland to a come from behind win over the Red Sox 5-4 at Fenway Park in a battle of division leaders.
Boston (88-38), with a rare second straight loss, jumped on top early off reigning Cy Young Award winner Corey Kluber for Cleveland. After two were out in the bottom of the first, Mitch Moreland singled and then JD Martinez doubled. Xander Bogaerts drove them both home with a two run single to make it 2-0. Andrew Beninitendi made it 3-0 driving in Jackie Bradley Jr with a single in the second to extend the lead to 3-0.
Melkey Cabrera got Cleveland (72-52) on the board in the fifth with a solo homer. The Indians tied things in the sixth when Michael Brantley hit his 14th of the year, the two run homer made it 3-3. That set the stage for Allen in the seventh to provide the difference with the game winner into the Red Sox bullpen. It was just the second homer on the year for Allen. Boston had two men on with noone out in the bottom of the ninth against Cleveland closer Cody Allen, but only were able to come up with an infield RBI single by Bogaerts with two outs. Ian Kinsler flied out to Brantley in left with the tying run at second to end it. Bogaerts ended up with two hits and three RBI. Mookie Betts and Martinez also had two hits each for the Sox. Brantley and Cabrera had two hits each for the visitors. Boston outhit Cleveland 13-7.
Porcello (15-6) took the loss, allowing five runs, six hits, one walk, with six strikeouts in 7.0 innings of work. With three homers allowed, Porcello has now allowed 22 on the season in 158.2 innings. Tyler Thornburg and Drew Pomeranz pitched a scoreless inning each to keep Boston within two runs. Kluber (16-6) earned the win, allowing three runs, nine hits, one walk, with six strikeouts in 6.1 innings. Oliver Perez, Adam Cimber, and Brad Hand each had a hold, while Allen earned his 25th save.
The second game of the four game series is scheduled for a 7:10 first pitch Tuesday night. Nathan Eovaldi takes the ball for the Sox, while Shane Bieber toes the rubber for the Tribe.
