Final: Cardinals 8, Red Sox 6 - Jansen falters in the ninth as Boston blows one at Fenway

James Paxton had a steady debut, settling in after allowing a two-run bomb in the top of the first. Finished with nine strikeouts in five innings. Timely hitting helped Boston rally in for the tie in the fourth before the lead in the fifth as well as the eighth. Brutal nights out of the bullpen for Josh Winckowski and Kenley Jansen cost the Red Sox the game.

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WHO: Red Sox (22-16) vs. Cardinals (13-25)
WHEN: 7:10 p.m.
WHERE: Fenway Park
SERIES TO DATE: First meeting this season. Red Sox won, 2-1, last season.
STARTING PITCHERS: LHP James Paxton (Red Sox debut) vs. RHP Adam Wainwright (0-0, 7.20 ERA)
TV/RADIO: NESN/MLB; WEEI-FM 93.7 

LIVE BOX

LINEUPS

RED SOX

1. Alex Verdugo RF
2. Masataka Yoshida LF
3. Justin Turner DH
4. Rafael Devers 3B
5. Jarren Duran CF
6. Triston Casas 1B
7. Kiké Hernandez SS
8. Enmanuel Valdez 2B
9. Connor Wong C

SP James Paxton

CARDINALS

1. Tommy Edman 2B
2. Paul Goldschmidt 1B
3. Wilson Contreras DH
4. Nolan Arenado 3B
5. Juan Yepez LF
6. Dylan Carlson CF
7. Paul DeJong SS
8. Lars Nootbaar RF
9. Andrew Knizner C

SP Adam Wainwright

WHAT'S UP

The Sox are back at it to kick off a three-game set against St. Louis after a series split in Atlanta. Wednesday's 5-2 win over the Braves ended a two-game skid, which followed their eight-game winning streak. 

Paxton is making his debut in Boston after signing as a free agent in 2021. He missed last season due to Tommy John surgery before beginning this season on the injured list out of spring training. It will be his first start since April 6, 2021, and his sixth since the end of 2019. 

Neither pitcher has faced either side frequently. Paxton is 1-0 record with a 4.09 ERA in two career starts (11 innings) against the Cardinals. The 34-year-old Wainwright is 1-1 with a 4.05 ERA in two career starts against Boston.

Boston also acquired utility minor-leaguer Pablo Reyes for cash from the A's earlier Friday.