All you need to know, in quickie form, about the Marlins' 2-0 win over the Red Sox, completing the three-game series sweep from Fenway Park, complete with BSJ analysis and insight:
HEADLINES
Red Sox starter Brayan Bello went from chasing a no-hitter to taking the loss after tossing seven brilliant innings on Thursday night. Boston was shutout out for the fifth time this season, dropping the series finale 2-0.
The 24-year-old out-dueled Marlins lefty Jesus Luzardo, who allowed only one hit to Red Sox batters (an Alex Verdugo single to lead off the first inning). Bello only allowed one baserunner which came on the Justin Turner error in the second inning. He struck out five batters, while walking one and giving up the one earned run.
Jazz Chisholm added the second Marlins run, a solo blast to deep center field off Kenley Jansen in the ninth inning. As he circled the bases, the Marlins outfielder waved to the Red Sox fan base as he was showered with boos. Chisholm has gone deep in two of three games since his return from the injured list.
TURNING POINT
Jean Segura broke up Bello’s no-no with an infield hit to open the eighth frame and Joey Wendle followed with a single to right that chased Bello with runners at the corners. He was removed from the game by Alex Cora and was showered by loud cheers and a standing ovation from the Fenway crowd. Chris Martin was summoned to replace Bello and surrendered an RBI single to Jon Berti that put the Marlins up 1-0.
UP
Bello has allowed one run in three straight starts and six total runs in his last 11. He continues to be one of the most reliable arms in the Sox rotation, tossing six-plus innings in five straight starts. This was the fourth time he has gone seven innings this season.
DOWN
Connor Wong attempted to drop a bunt down in the eighth inning with speedy David Hamilton pinch-running at first. The Sox catcher failed to get the bunt down and softly flew out to the first baseman, leaving Hamilton on first prior to him attempting to get into scoring position.
The Sox offense has been ineffective since their series in Minnesota. Boston has scored just a measly 11 runs in seven games. The team has gone 1-6 over that span.
NOTABLE
Boston had a chance to put runs on the board in the seventh inning when Rafael Devers and Adam Duvall collected back-to-back hits. The two singles off Luzardo would chase him from the game, but reliever Andrew Nardi struck out Masataka Yoshida and forced Christian Arroyo to ground back to the mound to end the threat.
WHAT'S NEXT
The Sox will hit the road and head north of the border for a three-game series in Toronto. This will be their first meeting since they swept the Jays in four games at Fenway Park earlier this season. The Sox will head into this series five games behind the Jays, who defeated the Giants 2-1 on Thursday night. James Paxton is expected to start the series opener but there's some concern about his right knee. WooSox lefty Brandon Walter was scratched from his start and the team has provided no explanation as to why after the game.
