All you need to know about the Red Sox' 3-2 loss to the White Sox, complete with BSJ analysis and insight:
BOX SCORE
HEADLINES
Sloppiness catches up to Sox: Other than the first two games of the season, the Red Sox haven't beaten themselves often, but some mistakes proved costly in the first game of the doubleheader. Twice in the first four innings, the White Sox reached on infield hits when Xander Bogaerts appeared to take too much time on getting throws to first base. On the second occasion -- as Jose Abreu reached on an infield hit, it proved costly as Abreu later around to score in that inning. An even bigger mistake was made on the basepaths in the fourth inning. The Red Sox already had their first run of the afternoon in and had baserunners at the corners and two outs with Christian Arroyo when Hunter Renfroe was caught leaning the wrong way by Chicago starter Dallas Keuchel, who threw over and got Renfroe caught in an inning-ending rundown that took Keuchel off the hot seat.
Houck handed second loss: Tanner Houck, plugged into the rotation for the day to give the Red Sox a spot start, absorbed his second defeat in as many starts this year, but didn't pitch poorly. He allowed a solo homer to Tim Anderson on the very first pitch of the afternoon, then allowed another solo run in the fourth on a run-scoring double from Yasmani Grandal. He allowed two more singles in the top of the fifth and was lifted, with one of the inherited runners coming around to score off reliever Josh Taylor. His fastball hit a season-high 98 mph a few times, but the velocity isn't a focus for him. "That's the hardest I've been throwing in a while,'' he said, "but that's not really what I'm looking for. I'm looking for command. Whenever I do have the velo like that it does help with the (separation) between the fastball and splitter, but for me, I'm not really hunting velo.'' Houck was returned to the alternate site immediately after the game, and Cora said the Sox will call on him again. "He's a guy we trust,'' said Cora. "(We want him) to keep doing the things he's doing up here. He knows it. He keeps developing other pitches, slowing down the running game, getting better. You can see it.''
TURNING POINT
In the sixth inning, a leadoff homer from Kiké Hernandez pulled the Sox to within a run and chased Chicago starter Dallas Keuchel. A sharp single to center by Alex Verdugo followed against reliever Aaron Bummer, and it looked like the Sox were poised for a big comeback inning. But just as quickly, J.D. Martinez hit into a 5-4-3 double play, erasing a lot of the momentum the Sox were building, and when Bogaerts went down swinging for the third out, the Sox were out of the inning.
TWO UP
Phillips Valdez: The reliever has struggled at times in the early going, but retired all six hitters he faced over the final two innings of work, giving the Red Sox a chance for a comeback.
Bobby Dalbec: Dalbec had a couple of really hard-hit balls (double, single) and just missed his first homer of the season with a 2-for-3 afternoon at the plate.
ONE DOWN
Xander Bogaerts: A rare hitless day at the plate (0-for-3), coupled with a faulty internal clock on some grounders that resulted in infield hits made for an off-day for the infielder.
QUOTE OF NOTE
"As a group, we made a few mistakes and we paid the price. We had the tying run (on base at the end) which is good, but it wasn't a great game for us.' - Alex Cora.
STATISTICALLY SPEAKING
- Josh Taylor has allowed just earned over his last five outings and has limited opponents to a .167 average.
- The Wall double by Dalbec in the third inning was hit hardest-hit ball (111.5 mph) this season.
- Hernandez is hitting .341 over his last 10 games after starting the year hitting .111 in his first five.