Price, bullpen solid as Swihart helps Sox walkoff over Phils

July 30, 2018

 

David Price pitched eight solid innings, the bullpen pitched five innings of scoreless relief, and Blake Swihart hit a walkoff double in the 13th inning Monday night as the Boston Red Sox topped the Philadelphia Phillies 2-1 in Interleague play at Fenway Park.

Boston only had one infield single from Sandy Leon off Phillies starter Aaron Nola through the first four innings, and trailed 1-0 as Maikel Franco had hit a second inning RBI single. The Sox tied it in the fifth when Jackie Bradley hit a one out single, and Eduardo Nunez tied it with an RBI triple to make it 1-1. Nunez then led off the bottom of the 13th with a single and stole second with Brock Holt batting. Holt struck out, but then Swihart nailed one to right center field that bounced up and over the fence for a ground rule double to score Nunez and ended the game. Holt and Nunez had two hits each as Boston goes to 75-33, six games better than the second place NY Yankees. JD Martinez had a ninth inning walk and extended his on base streak at home to 44 straight games.

Price allowed one run, eight hits, one walk, and five strikeouts in the eight inning no decision. Nola also pitched well for the 58-48 Phillies, allowing one run, six hits, one walk, and six strikeouts in eight innings in also a no decision outing. Tyler Thornburg, Ryan Brasier, Heath Hembree, Joe Kelly, and Hector Valazquez all pitched an inning of scoreless relief, with Valazquez (7-0) getting credit for the win. Philadelphia also used five relievers, with Austin Davis (1-1) who allowed the Nunez single getting tagged with the loss, after Swihart doubled off Luis Garcia.

It was also announced after the game that Boston acquired veteran second baseman Ian Kinsler and cash from the LA Angels for pitching prospects Ty Buttrey and Williams Jerez in front of the Tuesday 4 pm trade deadline.

Boston sends struggling lefty Drew Pomeranz to the hill in the finale of a short two game series Tuesday night at 7:10. Philly counters with right hander Jake Arrieta.