The Red Sox salvaged a split of their four-game series with Cleveland, throttling the Indians 7-0 behind eight shutout innings from David Price and a six-run fifth inning.
Price allowed just three hits -- all singles -- and struck out seven to improve to 14-6. The Indians never got a baserunner as far as third base.
Three two-run doubles -- one each from Blake Swihart, Xander Bogaerts and Eduardo Nunez -- gave Price all the backing he would need in the fifth. An RBI-single from J.D. Martinez accounted for the other run.
IN-GAME OBSERVATIONS
3:12 Red Sox comfortably ahead 7-0, but they've left two on in the fourth and the bases loaded in the sixth.
2:47 Xander Bogaerts joins the doubles parade. He, too, ropes a two-run double and has 38 for the season, to go with 82 RBI.
2:41 Swihart gets a perfect 2-2 pitch to hit - a four-seamer, down a bit, on the inner half -- and drives it to right for a two-run double.
2:06 Mookie Betts thrown out attempting to steal for only the fourth time in 28 tries this season. Sox haven't been able to run on Cleveland: 0-for-3 in stole base tries this series.
1:44 Red Sox announce that Moreland left the game with a left knee contusion.
1:31 It's been said before, but Eduardo Nunez looks like a completely different player at third base than at second. At second, he appears awkward and frequently has difficulty holding onto relay throws. At third, he's far more fluid and assured. He made a nice play in the second backing up on a ball near the outfield grass, then making a strong, one-hop throw to first for the out.
1:23 Mitch Moreland comes out of the game for a pinch-runner after reaching on a bloop single and is replaced by Blake Swihart. No word yet on the reason for Moreland leaving.
WHO: Red Sox vs. Cleveland Indians
WHEN: 1:05 p.m.
WHERE: Fenway Park
WHAT'S UP: The Red Sox lead the majors with 89 wins, 10 more than any other team...They also lead MLB in win percentage (.695) and run differential (+218) ...The Sox also boast the best record in day games of any MLB team, going 29-6 (.829)...The Indians, by contrast, have the best record of any A.L. team in series finales, with a 31-10 (.756) mark.
STARTING PITCHERS: LHP David Price (13-6, 3.69) vs. RHP Adam Plutko (4-3, 4.62)
TV/RADIO: NESN/WEEI 93.7 FM
LINEUPS
RED SOX
Betts RF
Benintendi LF
Moreland 1B
Martinez DH
Bogaerts SS
Holt 2B
Nunez 3B
Leon C
Bradley CF
INDIANS
Lindor SS
Diaz DH
Ramirez 3B
Encarnacion 1B
Cabrera LF
Guyer RF
Kipnis 2B
Perez C
Allen CF
NEWS AND NOTES
- Chris Sale is still going through strengthening exercises and hasn't been cleared to throw yet, though that may come soon. He will travel to St. Petersburg with the team after the game.
- Eduardo Rodriguez will make his second rehab start Monday for Pawtucket. His batterymate will be Christian Vazquez, who is coming back from a broken right pinky finger.
- Steven Wright will throw two innings in a simulated game at Tropicana Field Friday.