Final: Padres 6, Red Sox 2 - Boston falls to Padres in final game of series

The Red Sox lose their rubber match against the San Diego Padres 6-2.

This was an underwhelming game as Boston struggled against Padres starter Dylan Cease.

Cease pitched six scoreless innings against Boston's lineup also striking out seven batters and allowing four hits.

The Padres scored the first runs of the game n the third inning against Brayan Bello. With two outs, Bello allowed two consecutive batters to reach base, and the Padres capitalized with a Luis Arraez two-run RBI double.

The Padres added to their lead in the middle innings of the game. Fernando Tatis Jr. recorded an RBI single in the fifth inning. 

In the sixth inning, Bello had his toughest outing. Bello allowed an RBI single to Xander Bogaerts and struggled to end the inning allowing unnecessary runners to reach base.

The Red Sox turned to Chris Murphy to get Boston out of the jam, but he allowed a bases-loaded walk to Jake Cronenworth giving San Diego a 5-0 lead.

Despite things not looking good in this game, the Red Sox had an opportunity to get back into the game in the seventh inning. Cease put two runners on base before ending his time on the mound, and reliever Jason Adam loaded the bases for Boston. With no outs, Bogaerts failed turn a double play on a Romy Gonzalez ground ball, and the Red Sox scored two runs without recording an out. 

However, that was all the damage the Red Sox could do, as Adam and Adrian Morejon shut the door limiting Boston to two runs. The Padres scored another run in the same inning, and the Red Sox went scoreless the remainder of the game.

Striking out 13 times and only getting five hits doesn't translate to winning baseball. Cease pitched one of his best games of the season, and the Red Sox simply had no response for it. Despite not having any run support, Bello pitched a decent outing but struggled with his command at times which resulted in three walks.

The Red Sox will now travel to Houston to take on the Astros. First pitch will be at 8:10 p.m.

______________

WHO: Red Sox (65-53) vs Padres (65-52)
WHEN: 4:10 p.m.
WHERE: Petco Park, San Diego
SERIES TO DATE: (1-1), (1-1)
STARTING PITCHERS: RHP Brayan Bello (8-5, 3.03 ERA) vs. RHP Dylan Cease (4-10, 4.60 ERA)
TV/RADIO: NESN, MLB Network, WEEI-FM 93.7

LIVE BOX

LINEUPS

RED SOX

Roman Anthony (L) LF
Alex Bregman (R) 3B
Jarren Duran (L) CF
Trevor Story (R) SS
Masataka Yoshida (L) DH
Romy Gonzalez (R) 1B
Wilyer Abreu (L) RF
Ceddanne Rafaela (R) 2B
Connor Wong (R) C

SP Brayan Bello

PADRES

Fernando Tatis Jr. (R) RF
Luis Arraez (L) DH
Manny Machado (R) 3B
Ryan O'Hearn (L) 1B
Xander Bogaerts (R) SS
Jackson Merrill (L) CF
Ramón Laureano (R) LF
Jake Cronenworth (L) 2B
Freddy Fermin (R) C

SP Dylan Cease

WHAT'S UP

The Red Sox play the rubber match against the San Diego Padres with Brayan Bello on the mound.

Romy Gonzalez plays first base instead of Abraham Toro. This is the only adjustment made in the lineup.

Alex Bregman said he wants to wait until after the season to talk about his deal.