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Final: Red Sox 8, Reds 2 - Boston bats blow it open late; Sale exits the game with trainer
The Red Sox blew the game open late in the bottom of the eighth inning, scoring six runs to take the lead in Thursday's 8-2 win over the Reds to avoid a sweep and snap a three-game skid. Kiké Hernández and Connor Wong homered, and Rafael Devers had a pair of doubles. Chris Sale left the game with left shoulder soreness after 3.2 innings of work. Justin Garza, Josh Winckowski and Nick Pivetta were strong in relief, while strong defense got Chris Martin out of the top of the eighth.
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WHO: Red Sox (28-27) vs. Reds (26-29)
WHEN: 7:10 p.m.
WHERE: Fenway Park
SERIES TO DATE: Reds lead, 2-0. Split last season's series 2-2 (1-1 at each stadium).
STARTING PITCHERS: LHP Chris Sale (5-2, 5.72 ERA) vs. RHP Hunter Greene (1-4, 4.18 ERA)
TV/RADIO: NESN; WEEI-FM 93.7
LINEUPS
RED SOX
1. Alex Verdugo RF
2. Rafael Devers 3B
3. Justin Turner DH
4. Masataka Yoshida LF
5. Jarren Duran CF
6. Kiké Hernández SS
7. Triston Casas 1B
8. Connor Wong C
9. Enmanuel Valdez 2B
SP Chris Sale
REDS
1. Kevin Newman 3B
2. Matt McLain SS
3. Jonathan India 2B
4. Spencer Steer 1B
5. Tyler Stephenson DH
6. Stuart Fairchild RF
7. Nick Senzel LF
8. Jose Barrero CF
9. Curt Casali C
SP Hunter Greene
WHAT'S UP
The Sox are aiming to avoid a sweep to the Reds after losing a series to Cincinnati for the first time since the 1975 World Series. They've lost three in a row and seven of nine.
Sale has never faced the Reds, but he is is4-0 with a 2.23 ERA in his last five outings. Greene has faced the Red Sox once. He gave up four runs on six hits in 6.2 innings of work in a 7-1 loss last season.