Final: Red Sox 5 Indians 1 -- Bogaerts two HRs carry Sox

Xander Bogaerts hit a pair of home runs including the 100th of his career while the Red Sox bullpen delivered 6.1 scoreless innings, helping carry the Red Sox to a 5-1 victory and a series win against the Indians. Rafael Devers (2-for-4) and Bogaerts (3-for-4, 4 RBIs) combined for back-to-back homers in the third inning to give the Sox an initial 2-0 cushion. Bogaerts struck again for Boston in the seventh though, punishing the Indians for intentionally walking Devers to give the Sox a 5-1 lead with a blast to left field. 

Alex Cora pulled the plug quickly on Brian Johnson (2.2 innings, one ER) in the third inning and handed the game over to the bullpen, which delivered its best outing of the year. Nate Eovaldi picked up his first win in relief as five different pitchers combined to allow zero runs and just three hits over the final six innings. The victory gave the Sox their first series win in two weeks with an off day looming tomorrow before the team opens up a series against the Orioles at Fenway.

WHO: Red Sox (63-59) vs. Indians (72-48)
WHEN: 1:05 p.m.
WHERE: Progressive Field
SERIES TO DATE: 1-1
STARTING PITCHERS: LHP Brian Johnson (1-1, 7.32) vs. RHP Shane Bieber (12-4, 3.28)
TV/RADIO: NESN/WEEI 93.7 FM

LINEUPS

1. Mookie Betts RF
2. Rafael Devers 3B
3. Xander Bogaerts SS
4. J.D. Martinez DH
5. Andrew Benintendi LF
6. Sam Travis 1B
7. Marco Hernandez 2B
8. Christian Vazquez C
9. Jackie Bradley Jr. CF

Indians

1. Francisco Lindor SS
2. Oscar Mercado CF
3. Carlos Santana 1B
4. Jose Ramirez 3B
5. Franmil Reyes DH
6. Greg Allen LF
7. Mike Freeman 2B
8. Kevin Plawecki C
9. Tyler Naquin RF

Live Updates:

Top 3rd: Quite the run for Rafael Devers who has opened the game with two straight hits after going 6-for-6 yesterday. His eight straight hits in consecutive at-bats ties the MLB record for this season. His back-to-back HRs with Xander Bogaerts (100th of his career), give C's an early 2-0 lead.

Bottom 3rd: Some very sloppy fielding ruining what had been a good start by Brian Johnson over the first two innings. First, an error by Xander Bogaerts on a throw from short (looked like Sam Travis should have had it at first) followed by an error by Rafael Devers at third base, opened up the door for a run for the Indians after a wild pitch by Johnson. After a second walk, Cora pulled the plug on Johnson, bringing Walden in to strand two and keep the Sox up by one.

Bottom 6th:  A flawless few innings for the Sox bullpen after being called upon in the bottom of the third to relief Johnson. Just one hit and one walk allowed by a combo of Walden, Hernandez, Taylor and Eovaldi to keep the Sox lead safe against Bieber, who delivered six strong innings with two runs in a quality start.

Top 7th: The Sox finally break through again once they get into the Indians bullpen. A Betts single and an intentional walk to Devers opened up the door to a 3-run bomb by Bogaerts off Goody, his second HR of the day. The cushion was pushed up to 5-1.

Pregame Notes

The Red Sox snapped a three-game losing streak with Tuesday's extra inning win. ...Chris Sale reached 2,000 career strikeouts on Tuesday night and did so in the fewest innings (1,626) In major league history. …Sale is only one of nine active pitchers to hit 2,000 strikeouts and 83rd in MLB history. …Today concludes the 34rd game in 34 day stretch for Boston. …Rafael Devers became the only player since 1900 to have him six hits and four doubles in a game according to Elias. …JD Martinez is in the midst of a 12-game hitting streak. …Rick Porcello will get the start on Friday night against the Orioles despite his recent woes. …Alex Cora hopes to get four innings out of Johnson today in the starting role. …Nathan Eovaldi is expected to be available out of the bullpen. …