All signs pointed to a win on Tuesday night for the Boston Red Sox. The team was on a four-game losing streak heading into last night’s game against the Tigers, but they could not prosper in the Motor City.
Miguel Cabrera of the Tigers ended Boston’s winning dreams with his 498th career home run. The only saving grace for the Red Sox this week has been the Seattle Mariners, who have bested the American League East leading Rays twice.
Seattle’s success has kept Boston one game back in the American League East.
Season High Losing Streak
The Red Sox have lost five straight contests and four of the first ten during their current ten-game road trip. It’s not time to panic in Boston, but the club must get back on track shortly because the Rays will start to win again.
Boston has won with offense in 2021, and this has covered up a shaky pitching staff. On Tuesday, Garrett Richards took the bump and looked like his usual self. Richards did not go deep into the game, and he gave up runs.
Richards allowed three runs on five hits with two walks over five innings of work. After the game, he took responsibility for the loss and did not hold back.
“This is the worst season of my career, and I’m just trying to find some way to help us win a game. I feel good out there, and I’m throwing four pitches for strikes, but I’m not getting the results I expect.”
Boston jumped out to an early lead in the contests thanks to a J.D. Martinez RBI single where Xander Bogaerts scored easily. Hunter Renfroe added a leadoff home run in the second inning, which was his 17th of the year.
However, the Tigers battled back, and Boston could not respond. Cabrera’s bomb came in the bottom frame of the second inning to answer Renfroe’s shot.
Akil Baddoo and Robbie Grossman added RBIs in the fifth and seventh, respectively, to give Detroit the win.
After the game, Alex Cora spoke about his pitching staff, and he was visually upset, which is rare for the skipper.
“They loaded the bases with no one out in the fourth, and he held them to one run, but then he walks the leadoff guy in the fifth. They get the double, and we’re into our pen. We don’t need seven innings every night from our starters, but we have to getting at least five.”
Matt Barnes is on the COVID-19 injured list, but he should be back Wednesday if he tests negative. Despite this, Boston’s bullpen is battered because of their starters’ inability to go deep into games.
Up Next for the Red Sox
Boston and Detroit will continue their series on Wednesday with a 7:10 PM ET start time. Eduardo Rodriguez will throw for Boston against Casey Mize of the Tigers.
Rodriguez has been far from stellar in 2021, with a 7-6 record and a 5.60 ERA over 99.2 innings. Mize, one of the best young wings in baseball, is 6-5 with a 3.41 ERA.
This is remarkable considering his age and the fact that he plays for the struggling Tigers.
