Nick Pivetta allowed just one run over 5.2 innings on Monday night, Alex Verdugo had the game winning go ahead RBI double in the sixth inning, and the bullpen took care of the rest as the Boston Red Sox broke their five game losing streak with a 3-1 win over the Cleveland Guardians in the opener of a four game series at Fenway Park.
Yolmer Sanchez starting the scoring with an RBI single in the third inning for a 1-0 Boston lead, driving in Jackie Bradley Jr. who started the frame with a double. After a 40 minute rain delay, Cleveland (48-47) would end up tying it in the fifth off Pivetta. Myles Straw and Steven Kwan led off with back to back singles, before Amed Rosario grounded into a 6-4-3 doubleplay with Straw taking third base. Jose Ramirez made it 1-1 as he followed with an infield RBI single on a softly hit ball to Bobby Dalbec at third. In the decisive two-run sixth inning for the Red Sox, Rob Refsnyder led off with a walk and Verdugo then doubled off the monster in left for a 2-1 lead that ended up being the game winner. Xander Bogaerts singled, and Christian Vazquez provided some insurance by driving in Verdugo with a short fly ball single to centerfield in front of Straw.
Pivetta allowed seven hits with three walks and six strikeouts in a no-decision, in a bounce back performance after three tough outings in a row. Jon Schreiber (3-1) got the win giving up one hit and striking out two in 1.1 innings. Garrett Whitlock picked up the 2.0 inning save with no hits allowed and two strikeouts, his second save of the season. Ramirez had two hits for Cleveland, and Zach Plesac (2-8) was tagged in the loss giving up three runs on three hits in 5.0 innings. Boston moves back over .500 at 49-48, and will try to continue the momentum in game two of the series on Tuesday night. The Red Sox will send righty Josh Winckowski (3-4, 4.38 ERA) to the hill, while the Guardians haven’t announced a starter yet.
