Final: Red Sox 7, Brewers 2

Snapping a two-game losing streak and avoiding a series sweep, the Red Sox pounded out eight doubles and scored seven unanswered runs in a 7-2 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers.

The Sox erupted for five runs in the fifth with four consecutive doubles.

Josh Winckowski, who allowed a two-run homer to Hunter Renfroe, went five innings and became the first Red Sox starting pitcher to earn a victory in the month of July.

WHO: Red Sox (50-52) vs. Milwaukee Brewers (57-44)
WHEN: 1:35 p.m.
WHERE: Fenway Park
SERIES TO DATE: MIL 2-0
STARTING PITCHERS: RHP Josh WInckowski (3-5, 5.18) vs. LHP Aaron Ashby (2-8, 4.38)
TV/RADIO: NESN; WEEI-FM 93.7

LINEUPS

RED SOX

Davis RF
Bogaerts SS
Martinez DH
Vazquez C
Verdugo LF
Dalbec 1B
Arroyo 3B
Sanchez 2B
Bradley Jr. CF

BREWERS

Yellich LF
Adames SS
Tellez 1B
McCutchen DH
Wong 2B
Renfroe RF
Urias 3B
Narvaez C
Taylor CF

WHAT'S UP: The Red Sox are 3-13 in their last games and 5-17 in their last 22 games. Today concludes the Sox’ season-long 10-game homestand vs. TOR (0-3), CLE (2-2), and MIL (0-2). Tomorrow begins the Sox’ 7-game road trip against HOU (3 games) and KC (4 games). ...The Red Sox are in a stretch during which each of their 27 games from 7/4-8/3 will be against a team that entered today with at least a .500 record (5-18 so far): NYY (7), TB (7), CLE (4), HOU (3), MIL (3), and TOR (3). 46 of their remaining 60 games are against teams who entered today with at least a .500 record (76.7%). ... The Red Sox are in the midst of playing 16 consecutive games against teams outside their division: CLE (2-2), MIL (0-2), HOU (3 G), KC (4 G), ATL (2 G). Beginning 8/11 against the Orioles, 35 of the Red Sox’ final 50 games are against AL East opponents (70%): BAL (11), NYY (9), TB (9), TOR (6). The Red Sox are 0-11-1 in 12 series against AL East opponents this season...They are 12-4-4 in series play against all other teams. ...The Red Sox are opening the 2nd half with a stretch of 17 consecutive days with a game from 7/22-8/7, matching their longest streak of the season. The Sox will have 3 off days in August: 8/8, 8/15, 8/22. They also closed the 1st half with a stretch of 17 consecutive days with a game from 7/19-8/7 (5-12). ....The Red Sox trail the Rays by 4.5 games for the AL’s 3rd Wild Card position (see below). .. The Red Sox lead the majors in doubles (225) and lead the AL in XBH (334)...They rank 3rd in MLB in XBH, T-3rd in hits (894), and 5th in AVG (.254). They rank 3rd in the AL in runs (461), 4th in total bases (1,437), and 5th in SLG (.409) and OPS (.725). The Red Sox have scored 5+ runs in a game 48 times, 3rd most in the AL (NYY-52, TOR-49). ...The Red Sox and Brewers are playing each other this weekend for the 1st time since May 2017 at MIL and for the 1st time at Fenway since April 2014. The Red Sox are 8-9 against the Brewers since they joined the National League in 1998. ...The Red Sox are 5-7 in Interleague games and 1-2-2 in series against NL teams this season (1-1 at ATL, 1-1 vs. CIN, 2-1 vs. STL, 1-2 at CHC, 0-2 vs. MIL). The Sox are an MLB-best 284-191 (.598) all time in Interleague play...They had at least a .500 record in Interleague play in each of the previous 7 seasons, going an MLB-best 95-45 (.679) from 2015-21. ...With 149 HR and 297 2B in his career entering today, Xander Bogaerts is on the cusp of becoming just the 8th Red Sox player with 150+ HR and 300+ 2B (see below). Only 25 players in MLB history have recorded 150+ HR and 300+ 2B prior to turning 30 years old...Bogaerts, who turns 30 on 10/1, could be the 26th player and just the 2nd primary shortstop to reach those totals before turning 30...Alex Rodriguez compiled 429 HR and 338 2B from ages 18-29. There have been only 18 primary shortstops in MLB history to record 150+ HR and 300+ 2B in their careers. ... Yesterday, Christian Vázquez played his 650th career game at catcher, surpassing Bill Carrigan for the 5th-most games at catcher in Red Sox history. Since the beginning of 2019, Vázquez leads the AL in innings caught (2,959.2), trailing only J.T. Realmuto for the MLB lead (3,116.2). The 2018 World Series champion has also appeared in 25 games at catcher during the Postseason for Boston...The Sox are 12-7 during his 19 Postseason starts at the position. Red Sox starting pitchers have not been awarded a win in the club’s last 29 games...That is the 3rdlongest streak in MLB history and the longest since the Mariners went 33 straight games in 1979 (source: ESPN Stats & Info). The last Red Sox starting pitcher to receive the win was Rich Hill on 6/26 at CLE. Red Sox starting pitchers owned the 5th-best ERA in the majors from the beginning of the season through 6/26 (3.38)...Since 6/27, they own the worst starting pitcher ERA in the majors (7.27, 104 ER/128.2 IP). 

NOTES: 

* OF Kike Hernandez felt good while swinging the bat Saturday and manager Alex Cora said the plan is for Hernandez to return to the lineup at some point in August.