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Final: Red Sox 5, Guardians 4 - Boston returns to win column to begin road trip after three-game skid
The Red Sox exploded for four runs in the eighth inning to take a 5-2 lead after James Paxton went seven innings deep for a depleted pitching staff. Boston and Chris Martin clung to the lead in the eighth as Cleveland cut it to 5-4, but Kenley Jansen closed the door in the bottom of the ninth to seal the win. Kiké Hernández had two RBI on 1-for-4 with a walk.
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WHO: Red Sox (30-30) at Guardians (27-30)
WHEN: 7:10 p.m.
WHERE: Progressive Field
SERIES TO DATE: Red Sox lead, 2-1
STARTING PITCHERS: LHP James Paxton (1-1, 4.26 ERA) vs. RHP Shane Bieber (4-3, 3.72 ERA)
TV/RADIO: NESN; WEEI-FM 93.7
LINEUPS
RED SOX
1. Alex Verdugo RF
2. Mastaka Yoshida LF
3. Justin Turner DH
4. Rafael Devers 3B
5. Triston Casas 1B
6. Kiké Hernández SS
7. Jarren Duran CF
8. Enmanuel Valdez 2B
9. Reese McGuire C
SP James Paxton
GUARDIANS
1. Steven Kwan LF
2. Gabriel Arias SS
3. José Ramírez 3B
4. Josh Naylor 1B
5. Josh Bell DH
6. Andrés Giménez 2B
7. Mike Zunino C
8. Will Brennan RF
9. Myles Straw CF
SP Shane Bieber
WHAT'S UP
The Red Sox are coming off a 2-5 stretch on their homestand. They have been held to two or fewer runs as well as six hits or fewer in three straight games.
The Guardians have won two in a row.
Boston optioned RHP Kaleb Ort to Triple-A Worcester after Monday's loss to the Rays. The Sox recalled LHP Chris Murphy from the WooSox.
Paxton is 1-3 against Cleveland in his career, holding a 5.47 ERA and 32 strikeouts in 26.1 innings. He's allowed two or fewer runs in three of his four starts.
Bieber will make his fifth career start against Boston. In six appearances he is 3-3 with a 5.50 ERA.