All you need to know, in quickie form, about the Red Sox' 9-7 win over the Tigers, complete with BSJ analysis and insight:
HEADLINES
Eovaldi limits Tigers to two runs: Starter Nathan Eovaldi gave the Red Sox five innings and allowed just two runs -- both on solo homers. That was an improvement on his Opening Day outing when he allowed three runs in five innings. The tough thing for the Sox, however, was that Eovaldi needed 100 pitches to get 15 outs, leaving four innings for the bullpen. The problem was lots of deep counts early in the game, as the Tigers fouled off a lot of pitches and really made Eovaldi work. He later said the conditions -- a steady drizzle for the first few innings -- made it difficult to grip the ball and impacted some of his pitches.
Offense keeps it going: Until Tuesday, everyone was worried about the Red Sox lineup, which was kind of silly, but also, not unexpected when a team gets off to a slow start at the beginning of the season. In the last two games, however, there's been some positive signs. The Sox scored five runs Tuesday and really got it going Wednesday with nine more, highlighted by a six-run fourth inning. Eight of the nine starters had at least one hit, and the Sox also managed to shine when it came to some situational spots. They had two sacrifice flies to produce two runs and the big fourth inning was set up by a rare sacrifice bunt from Christian Arroyo, who was presumably bunting because it was a 1-1 tie and the rain was intensifying, meaning the Sox could play for a run or two. Turns out they got six.
Pen springs a leak: Matt Barnes was very sharp in the sixth and Hansel Robles retired the final four batters of the game. But in between? What a mess. Austin Davis faced six hitters and four of them reached, one on a two-run homer. He couldn't get out of the seventh. Next was Kutter Crawford, who was impressive in New York Sunday night, but not on this day. After retiring the leadoff hitter in the eighth, he gave up three hits and a walk to the next four hitters as the Tigers steadily mounted their comeback. Finally, there was Jake Diekman, who fanned the first two hitters he faced -- with the bases loaded -- giving him five straight strikeouts dating back to his big save Sunday night at Yankee Stadium. But Diekman couldn't get the third out of the inning, allowing a run-scoring single and then hitting a batter to re-load the bases before Robles came to his rescue.
TURNING POINT
The Red Sox had a run in in the fourth, a runner on second base and led 2-1 but when Christian Vazquez grounded to third, it appeared the Tigers were about to get out of the inning without a lot of damage done. But Jeimer Candelario's throw to first pulled Spencer Torkelson off the bag, extending the inning, and after that, the Sox pounced, with three consecutive doubles and five more runs -- all of them unearned, thanks to Candelario.
TWO UP
Kike Hernandez: For the second straight day, Hernandez looked good at the plate. After two doubles Tuesday, he had two more extra-base hits Wednesday with a double and homer, and any concern about his hitless start to the season has dissipated.
Jackie Bradley Jr.: Bradley led the Sox with three RBI, blasting two doubles. What's more, the first came off a lefty (Rodriguez), which is even more encouraging. Bradley won't get a lot of starts against lefties this year, but it was good to see him connect when given the chance.
TWO DOWN
Boston bullpen: Everyone was feeling pretty good about how the pen had performed through the first five games. But things got ugly in a hurry in this one with three straight relievers -- Austin Davis, Kutter Crawford and Jake Diekman -- struggling mightily and watching as a 9-2 laugher turned into a 9-7 nail-biter.
Christian Vazquez: He was the only member of the starting lineup to not collect at least one hit, going 0-for-4 in five plate appearances though he did, at least, contribute a sacrifice fly in the big six-run fourth.
QUOTE OF NOTE
"We did a good job with Eduardo (Rodriguez). We put up good at-bats after good at-bats. That's a good sign. He's a good pitcher.'' - Alex Cora.
STATISTICALLY SPEAKING
* Nathan Eovaldi has given up four homers in his first 10 innings of work this season. A year ago, he didn't allow his fourth homer until June 26.
* The Red Sox are 8-4 at Comerica Park since 2018
* After allowing just three earned runs in the first five games of the season, the bullpen was charged with five on Wednesday.
* All four of Kike Hernandez's hits this season have been for extra bases.
UP NEXT
The Red Sox enjoy an off-day in the schedule tomorrow before their home opener Friday at Fenway against the Minnesota Twins at 2:05 p.m. That game will feature RHP Nick Pivetta (0-1, 6,35) vs. RHP Joe Ryan (0-1, 4.50).