Final: Giants 9, Red Sox 5 - Red Sox allow 5 unearned runs in loss

The Red Sox lose the rubber match against the San Francisco Giants 9-5.

In another back-and-forth game, costly plays in the field became the difference maker in the loss.

Lucas Giolito got the start in today's game, and he pitched six innings allowing four runs with two of them being earned.

The Red Sox scored the first run of the game getting help from an error, but an error from Boston resulted in the Giants taking a 2-1 lead in the same inning. Nate Eaton and Jarren Duran didn't communicate on a short pop fly, and Helliott Ramos recorded a two-run RBI single because of it.

Boston did recover in the 5th inning as Rob Refnsyder and Romy Gonzalez both recorded home runs giving the Red Sox a 4-2 lead.

However, Giolitio allowed two solo home runs of his own which tied the game in the same inning.

The Red Sox retook the lead with a solo home run from Ceddanne Rafaela in the 6th inning, and Giolito capped off his start with a 1-2-3 inning.

Then the disaster struck. In the 7th inning, Boston turned to Greg Weissert as the first arm out of the bullpen, and the Giants tied it up after getting consecutive hits followed by an RBI bunt.

Justin Wilson took over trying to get the final out of the inning, and he couldn't get it done. On a soft line drive to second base, Gonzalez failed to catch the ball and the Giants took the lead on the error. Ramos then delivered a two-run double putting the game at 8-5, and Wilson was taken out of the game without getting a single out.

Zack Kelly pitched the rest of the game for Boston, and he allowed a solo home run to Willy Adames putting the game at 9-5.

The Red Sox weren't able to recover. Duran started the 8th inning attempting to turn a single into a double, but replay review called him out. Both Duran and Alex Cora were ejected after arguing the poor call.

This game could've went differently if it weren't for the 7th inning. The Red Sox hit well against a lefty starter again, but they need to clean up the defensive mistakes made in this play. In all three games of their series against the Giants, Boston had an error at second base. Just another frustrating one for Red Sox fans.

The Red Sox will play one more west coast series as they take on the Los Angeles Angels tomorrow at 9:39 p.m.

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WHO: Red Sox (40-38) vs Giants (43-34)
WHEN: 4:05 p.m.
WHERE: Oracle Park, San Francisco
SERIES TO DATE: (1-1), (1-1)
STARTING PITCHERS: RHP Lucas Giolito (3-1, 4.73 ERA) vs. LHP Robbie Ray (8-2, 2.68 ERA)
TV/RADIO: NESN, MLB Network, WEEI-FM 93.7

LIVE BOX

LINEUPS

RED SOX

Rob Refsnyder (R) DH
Roman Anthony (L) RF
Romy Gonzalez (R) 2B
Carlos Narváez (R) C
Jarren Duran (L) LF
Trevor Story (R) SS
Abraham Toro (S) 1B
Ceddanne Rafaela (R) CF
Nate Eaton (R) 3B

SP Lucas Giolito

GIANTS

Mike Yastrzemski (L) RF
Rafael Devers (L) DH
Heliot Ramos (R) LF
Wilmer Flores (R) 1B
Jung Hoo Lee (L) CF
Willy Adames (R) SS
Casey Schmitt (R) 3B
Patrick Bailey (S) C
Tyler Fitzgerald (R) 2B

SP Robbie Ray

WHAT'S UP

Lucas Giolito takes the mound in rubber match versus Giants.

Yesterday, the Red Sox lost 3-2 against the Giants as Rafael Devers recorded his first home run for San Francisco.

Nate Eaton makes his first appearance in the starting lineup for Red Sox. Romy Gonzalez makes his first start of the season at second base.

Boston placed Hunter Dobbins on the Injured List. They activated Richard Fitts in his place.