FINAL: Red Sox 5, Tigers 2 - Chris Sale strikes out 7 in 4.2 innings

WHO: Tigers (52-63) at Red Sox (60-55)
WHEN: 7:10 p.m. 
WHERE: Fenway Park, Boston.
SERIES TO DATE: Boston leads, 3-0. 
STARTING PITCHERS: LHP Tarik Skubal (2-1, 3.67) vs. LHP Chris Sale (5-2, 4.58)
TV/RADIO: NESN, WEEI-FM 93.7

LIVE BOX

LINEUP 

RED SOX

Refsnyder LF
Devers 3B 
Duvall CF 
Yoshida DH
Story SS 
Verdugo RF
Reyes 2B
Casas 1B
Wong C
Sale SP 

TIGERS

Vierling CF
Ibánez 2B
Torkelson 1B
Rogers C
Cabrera DH 
Carpenter RF
Báez SS 
Short 3B
Haase LF 
Skubal SP 

PRE-GAME NOTES

Activated LHP Chris Sale, who makes his first start since June 1 tonight. He previously faced the Tigers on Apr. 6, allowing three runs, striking out seven and walking three, earning a win in Boston's 6-3 road victory. The Red Sox optioned LHP Brandon Walter to Triple-A Worcester to make room for Sale.

IF Yu Chang cleared waivers after the Sox designated him for assignment, allowing him to join Worcester after SS Trevor Story's activation. He joins IF Christian Arroyo, who accepted his option to Worcester after clearing waivers as well. RHP Tanner Houck pitched in Worcester's double-header today, going 3.0 IP and allowing one hit, no runs, no walks and striking out three. 

IF Justin Turner (heel) is out of the lineup for the fourth straight game and seventh over the Sox' last 10. He could return on Saturday after working out pre-game on Friday. RHP Garrett Whitlock (elbow) could return on Sunday. 

LHP Eduardo Rodriguez makes his first return to Fenway Park today after departing Boston following the 2021 season and declining a trade to the Dodgers before the deadline. He posted a career-best 2.75 ERA through his first 17 starts this season, with 1.05 WHIP, 101 strikeouts and 25 walks. He's scheduled to start in Sunday's season finale opposite of RHP Kutter Crawford. 

“This is just a game," Alex Cora said on Friday, reacting to Rodriguez declining his trade to LA. "He has a World Series ring, he doesn’t need another one....things are well with the family...I'm very proud of him making that decision.” 

Boston will continue to wear its yellow jerseys through Sunday, which the Sox improved to 24-5 in. Cora said he's unsure if the Sox can wear them on the road. 

WHAT'S UP 

The Red Sox have won 3 of their last 4 games following a 4-game losing streak from 8/2-6, are 20-13 in their last 33 games...At 60-55 (.522), Boston own’s MLB’s 12th-best record...With their win last night, Boston improved to 20-15-2 in series play, including 12-7-0 at home...The Sox have won 12 of their last 17 home games, including wins in 3 of their last 4 games...At home, the Sox lead the majors in AVG (.286)...They also rank 2nd in OBP (.351), 3rd in OPS (.814), 4th in SLG (.463), and 5th in runs scored per game (5.37)...The Red Sox own MLB’s best record when leading after 6 innings (45-3, .938)...Boston leads MLB in save % (76.7; 33-for-43)...RHP Kenley Jansen recorded his 26th save of the season last night...Jansen has converted each of his last 17 save opportunities since 5/20, the second-longest active streak of successful save chances (TOR's Jordan Romano-18)...RHP Chris Martin has allowed only one run over his last 23 outings (20.2 IP)...The Red Sox are 14-9 against AL Central teams this season...Monday began a stretch of 7 straight games against AL Central teams (3-1 vs. KC, 3 vs. DET)...The Red Sox are 8-3 in LHP Chris Sale's starts this season, including 5-1 in his last six...he's 4-0 with a 2.25 ERA, .191 opponent AVG, and 8.20 SO/BB (41 SO, 5 BB) in his last 6 ML starts...Sale did not allow a run in either of his two rehab starts for Triple-A Worcester at Syracuse...He's one SO shy of tying Eduardo Rodriguez (892) for 12th-most in Red Sox history, and eight SO shy of tying Clay Buchholz (899) for 11th-most...

The Tigers clinched their series against the Twins witha. 3-0 win on Thursday...Riley Greene went 2-4 with a solo home run in the win....Greene has hit safely in 46 of his last 57 games, over which he is batting .332/.398/.527 with 17 doubles, a triple, eight home runs and 21 RBI. Among American League players with at least 300 plate appearances this season, Greene ranks seventh with a .301 batting average...The Tigers posted their 11th shutout of the season yesterday. Of their11 shutouts, five have come since the All-Star break. Detroit's 11 shutouts ranks T-3rd in the American League...As a team, the Tigers are hitting .223/.291/.365 away from Comerica Park, while the pitching staff has a 4.23 ERA...LHP Tarik Skubal will make his seventh start of the season tonight....picked up his second win of the season on Saturday against Tampa Bay, allowing an unearned run on six hits with one walk and six strikeouts in 5.1 innings...has made two starts in his career against the Red Sox, posting a 1-1 record with a 5.59 ERA and nine strikeouts...did not allow a run in his first two starts this season...had a streak of 27.0 innings without giving up an earned run, dating back to July 13, 2022...