All you need to know, in quickie form, about the Red Sox' 7-2 loss to the Tigers, complete with BSJ analysis and insight.
BOX SCORE
HEADLINES
Beeks endures some bumps in debut: Rookie Jalen Beeks got a rude awakening in his first major league start, rocked for five first-inning runs. He eventually settled in some and allowed just one run over the next three innings before being lifted, but the first inning was a tough one. "In the end, I've just got to execute pitches better,'' said Beeks. "I felt pretty comfortable after the first. It was just a mechanical thing in the first.'' Part of the problem was also throwing too many fastballs early in the game. "It wasn't the start that he wanted or we wanted from him,'' said Alex Cora. "But I think it's a (good first) step. It's going to help him out. But for him to keep developing, it's very important to mix up your pitches. He lacked that in the first inning. After that he was OK.'' Still, there were positive signs. Beeks retired the final five hitters he faced.
Swihart returns behind the plate: And on the 64th game, he finally caught. Blake Swihart, catcher-by-trade but thrust into more of a utility role for the first 10 weeks of the season, finally got an opportunity to return to his natural position. "He learned a lot today,'' said Cora. "Obviously, it was his first one as far preparation, to start a game and go through the whole process. He made some adjustments, too. He did his best. He blocked some balls, (provided) a good target. He did well. We're very pleased.'' Swihart said he felt good "receiving, blocking. There's always some fine-tuning to do and the more I work on it, the better it's going to be.'' At the very least, to the degree that snap judgments can be made after nine innings, Swihart demonstrated that he's capable of catching at this level.
Betts making slow progress: Mookie Betts, on the DL with a left abdominal strain, took some swings on the field during batting practice and reported that he was coming along. "We're definitely heading in the right direction,'' reported Betts after the game. "Had a functional day today, so we're taking steps in the right direction. You don't want to rush it because that's when you could be out for a long time. So, we'll just continue to progress.'' Betts might prefer to have a game or two on a rehab assignment before returning, which could call into question his availability for the series coming up in Baltimore, beginning Monday.
SECOND GUESS
Cora chose to go with Swihart behind the plate for the major league debut of Beeks, when it would have made far more sense to go with more established catchers like Sandy Leon or Christian Vazquez. Beeks would have benefited from their experience, especially in the first inning when he was too fastball heavy. Cora's explanation that he didn't want to hold off on a start for Swihart until Saturday -- the original plan -- because that would have meant Vazquez would go three games without catching isn't a suitable explanation. Swihart has waited better than 60 games to get a start; surely something could have been figured out.
TWO UP
Brian Johnson: Johnson came in for the fifth in relief of Beeks and retired the first nine Tigers in a row. He was nicked for a single run in the eighth, but that was the only damage allowed in four innings, with five strikeouts.
Andrew Benintendi: Benintendi continues to wield one of the hottest bats in the game, homering in the first inning and later adding a single in the ninth. He's homered in four of his last five games and eight of his last 17.
ONE DOWN
Sam Travis: Given a rare start in left field, Travis was 0-for-3, including a strikeout with the bases loaded in the eighth inning.
QUOTE OF NOTE
"Disappointing. Obviously, not how you want to come out.'' -- Jalen Beeks, asked to characterize his debut.
STATISTICALLY SPEAKING
- The five runs in the first inning were the most the Red Sox had allowed in the frame since May 9 vs. Milwaukee last year.
- J.D. Martinez reached base for the 24th consecutive home game.
- Andrew Benintendi has 22 RBI in his last 19 games.
- Mitch Moreland reached base multiple times for the 19th game this season.
- The loss dropped the Sox to 16-4 in the final game of a series.
- The Red Sox begin a three-game series with the Chicago White Sox beginning Friday at 7:10 with Chris Sale (5-3, 3.00) facing his former team and matched up RHP Dylan Covey (1-1, 2.82)