All you need to know, in quickie form, about the Red Sox' loss to Cleveland, complete with BSJ analysis and insight:
HEADLINES
Crawford struggles in debut: Kutter Crawford's debut didn't go as planned. Then again, nothing about the lead-up to his debut did, either. Crawford had been notified a couple of days ago that, due to some testing irregularities, he might be called upon to make a spot start for the parent club, then found out for certain that would be the case Saturday night. Crawford got into some trouble right away with a walk and two singles in the first, with two runs scoring. He allowed another run in the second, and when Franmil Reyes took him deep to start the third and a walk to Bobby Bradley followed, that was it for Crawford. "Unfortunately, it didn't go as we wanted to,'' said Crawford, "but we like and we learn.'' Crawford insisted that the game hadn't sped up on him and that the uncertainty surrounding his debut didn't shake him and the five runs against him were more a matter of poor execution.
Sox miss chance after chance: It's never good to fall behind 6-0 in the third inning. Giving an opponent that much of a head start is always a bad idea. But incredibly, the Sox got off the mat and appeared in position for a comeback with five runs in the middle innings. But they never truly closed the gap despite plenty of chances. The Sox left baserunners at second-and-third in the second inning and again in the fourth. For the afternoon, they were a woeful 3-for-18 with runners in scoring position. Any time you get 18 at-bats with men on either second or third (or both), you should win the game, and in retrospect, scoring "only'' five runs was a major failing on the part of the Red Sox' offense.
More COVID, but hope, too: The Sox lost starter Nick Pivetta Sunday morning, and as gametime drew near, utility man Danny Santana to the COVID-IL, bringing the total to 11 players on the list. But both could return soon. Pivetta had some testing irregularities (some false positives?) and the Sox continue to have him tested, with the hope of him being able to rejoin them. In the meantime, Santana didn't test negative, but wasn't feeling well, so he was placed on the list as a precaution. Neither, in any event, look like they'll be out of action long,
TURNING POINT
By his own admission, Alex Cora "went for the jugular'' early. Having given Rafael Devers the day off, Cora turned to Devers to pinch-hit in the fifth inning with runners at second and third and one out and Cleveland starter Zach Plesac on the ropes. The Sox had already scored three runs in that inning and had the momentum and Cora thought if he was going to use Devers in a pinch-hit situation, it was better to do against a starter who was struggling mid-game rather than holding him for the ninth inning against closer Emmanuel Clase. It seemed like a logical theory, but it didn't work in application as Devers went down swinging and the Sox failed to score again.
TWO UP
J.D, Martinez: The DH had a big day, with three hits -- single, double and homer -- and knocked in three of the Sox' five runs.
John Schreiber: Making his Red Sox debut, Schreiber kept the Sox in the game, taking over for Crawford and going three innings while allowing just one run.
TWO DOWN
Phillips Valdez: Valdez was invaluable in Saturday's win, with two perfect innings, but was roughed up in the ninth, allowing five runs as the first six hitters of the inning reached base against him.
Kyle Schwarber: A force at the plate of late, Schwarber worked a walk in the first, but then went 0-for-4 the rest of the way, twice stranding baserunners at second and third.
QUOTE OF NOTE:
"It's not easy to come into a situation like this and maneuver a big league lineup. But I can see it. Stuff-wise, he's really good. Like I told him on the mound, he's a big leaguer now.'' - Alex Cora on Kutter Crawford.
STATISTICALLY SPEAKING
* The Indians stole two bases and Red Sox catcher Kevin Plawecki has allowed 33 steals in 36 attempts this season.
* Kyle Schwarber has reached base in 19 of his 20 games since joining the Sox.
* Kutter Crawford became the ninth pitcher to start a game for the Sox this season.
* Since joining the Sox, four of Travis Shaw's five hits have gone for extra bases.
* J.D. Martinez had three hits, the 99th time in his career he's had at least three hits in a game.
UP NEXT: The Red Sox begin a three-game series with the Tampa Bay Rays at 1:10 p.m., with LHP Chris Sale (3-0, 2.53) vs. TBD.