All you need to know, in quickie form, about the Red Sox' 4-2 loss to the Tigers, complete with BSJ analysis and insight:
BOX SCORE
HEADLINES
Offense fails again: The Red Sox managed baserunners in every inning but one against Detroit, but couldn't get much accomplished. They stranded a staggering 13 men on base and were a woeful 1-for-12 with runners in scoring position. They put the leadoff man on in five different innings and had multiple baserunners in seven of the nine innings, but could never seem to get the big hit they needed. "I don't think we expanded the zone,'' said Alex Cora. "But they made pitches and we didn't hit the ball in the air. It's one of those things. Right now, we're not clicking offensively. It's been going on for these 20-something games. We know we can be better.'' The Sox haven't put together a blowout win, really, all season and over the last 11 games, haven't scored more than six runs in a game. Numerous times, the Sox had the hitters they wanted at the plate. But in 20 plate appearances from Mookie Betts, Mitch Moreland, J.D. Martinez and Xander Bogaerts, they got just three hits -- all of them singles.
Chavis has another milestone: On Saturday night, Michael Chavis collected his big league hit. On Sunday, he made his first major league start. On Tuesday afternoon, he made his first start at Fenway. And in the nightcap, he cranked his first homer and collected his first RBI. It was not cheap -- measured at 441 feet, it cleared everything in left and was the longest home run hit by a Red Sox hitter this season. "It was special for sure,'' said Chavis. "I was a little more controlled (than I was with the first hit). I'm starting to feel more comfortable and settled in. Not to downplay it at all, because I'll remember it for the rest of my life, but that first hit (in Tampa) was next level.'' Chavis's mom was at the game and was shown on NESN celebrating the homer. Chavis got the ball from someone who retrieved it and said he would give the keepsake to his mother.
Two Red Sox pitchers make their debut: From the fifth inning on, the Red Sox used two rookie pitchers to record the final 16 outs of the game. First came lefty Darwinzon Hernandez, who was added to the roster from Double A Portland as the Red Sox' 26th man for the day-night doubleheader. In both the fifth and sixth innings, Hernandez bailed himself out of trouble, stranding a leadoff man on second with no outs in the fifth, then escaping a first-and-third, two out mess in the sixth. "He was fun to watch,'' said Alex Cora. In all, Hernandez pitched 2.1 scoreless innings with four strikeouts. Next came Travis Lakins, who wasn't told he was being called up until mid-afternoon in Pawtucket. He pitched 2.2 innings and allowed a run on four hits. "Dream come true,'' said Lakins. "I've been playing ball since I was four years old and never dreamed I'd be in this position.''
TURNING POINT
In the fifth inning, trailing 3-0, the Red Sox had baserunners at first and second and one out with their 3-4-5 hitters coming up, but Moreland hit into a force out and Martinez went down swinging, ending the threat.
ONE UP
Andrew Benintendi: A rare bright spot at the top of the order, Benintendi was on base four times (hit-by-pitch, three singles) in an ultimately futile effort to kickstart the Red Sox' offense.
TWO DOWN
J.D. Martinez: Before managing a one-out single in the ninth, Martinez had a horrendous day, grounding into a double play and then twice striking out with two runners on both times.
Jackie Bradley Jr.: The struggle continues for Bradley who was 0-for-3 with a walk and is hitting .134 for the season.
STATISTICALLY SPEAKING
- The doubleheader sweep against the Sox was their first since July 20, 2015 against the Angels.
- The Sox were 1-for-12 with RISP and stranded 13 on base.
- Andrew Benintendi had his seventh multi-hit game of the season.
- Christian Vazquez has thrown out his last four would-be basestealers.