FINAL: Los Angeles Dodgers 9, Red Sox 6 - Sox Give Up Six Homers as Dodgers Sweep

The Red Sox (53-45) are swept in the first series of the second half, losing three in a row to the Dodgers (59-41), with tonight's final being 9-6.

It looked like it would be another good Sunday for the Sox, as they jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning after Jarren Duran blasted a two run bomb to left field. That would be all the run production they would get until the top of the sixth inning, where Ceddane Rafaela hit an RBI single to left. The Sox would attempt a ninth inning rally, with Duran hitting a two run double to left, and Masataka Yoshida would ground into a fielder's choice which brought in Duran. Boston struck out 14 times tonight, with three each coming from Tyler O'Neill and Rafael Devers.

Kutter Crawford went into today's game looking for another great outing, but he struggled against LA's star studded lineup. He finished with six earned runs on seven hits, with five of them being home runs. He struck out only two batters in his five innings pitched. The last home run he gave up was an absolute moonshot to Shohei Ohtani. The ball travelled 473 feet, over the awnings in center field, a feat which only a select few have accomplished, such as Willie Stargell and Mark McGuire. Bailey Horn and Chase Anderson would combine for two innings of no hit ball, and Kenley Jansen would pitch the bottom of the eighth. His performance from last night carried over to tonight's contest, as he gave up three runs on three hits, including a two run home run off the bat of Jason Heyward.

My Player of the Game: Jarren Duran - The Red Sox first half MVP added on to his great season tonight, going 2-5 with a home run and a double, and he drove in four of Boston's six runs. 

The Sox should have an easier series starting tomorrow, where they will begin a three game series against the Colorado Rockies. Probable pitchers for game one are Tanner Houck (8-6, 2.54 ERA) and Austin Gomber (2-6 4.61 ERA).
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 ______________________________

WHO: Red Sox (53-44) at Los Angeles Dodgers (58-41)
WHEN: 7:00 p.m.
WHERE: Dodger Stadium
SERIES TO DATE: 0-2
STARTING PITCHERS: RHP Kutter Crawford (6-7, 3.04 ERA) vs. LHP James Paxton (7-2, 4.38 ERA)
TV/RADIO: NESN, WEEI-FM 93.7

LIVE BOX

LINEUPS

RED SOX

Romy Gonzales 1B
Jarren Duran LF
Tyler O'Neill RF
Rafael Devers 3B
Connor Wong C
Masataka Yoshida DH
Jamie Westbrook 2B
David Hamilton SS
Ceddanne Rafaela CF

SP Kutter Crawford

OPPONENT

Shohei Ohtani DH
Teoscar Hernandez LF
Freddie Freeman 1B
Andy Pages CF
Gavin Lux 2B
Miguel Rojas SS
Jason Heyward RF
Kiké Hernandez 3B
Austin Barnes C

SP XXXXXXXX

WHAT'S UP

The Sox last night lost 7-6 in extra innings against the Dodgers, securing a series loss. Tyler O'Neill hit two two-run home runs, and Jarren Duran hit a two run double in the fifth. Kenley Jansen blew a save in the bottom of the ninth, giving up his first homer of the season to Kiké Hernandez to tie the game.

Yesterday marked the Red Sox' 1st series loss since 6/28-30 vs. SD (1-2)...They had won each of their 4 previous series (at MIA, at NYY, vs. OAK, vs. KC). The Sox have won or tied 12 of their last 14 series (8-2-4).

The Red Sox are an MLB-best 15-1 (.938) on Sundays, outscoring opponents 96-44 in those games. Boston owns an MLB-best 2.59 ERA on Sunday (42 ER/146.0 IP), and an MLB-best .851 OPS on offense.

The Red Sox own MLB’s best record in 1-run games (12-6, .667)...Last night marked the Red Sox 1st loss in a 1-run game since 5/15 vs. TB (3-4)...They had won each of their last 6 games decided by 1 run, as well as 9 of their last 10.

The Red Sox lead the majors in 2-out AVG (.261). Boston leads the majors in pinch-hit RBI (17). Out of the No. 9 spot in the lineup, the Red Sox lead the majors in RBI (50) and total bases (144)...They also lead the AL with 12 HR from that spot in the order.

The Red Sox rank 3rd in the AL and 5th in MLB with a 3.67 ERA (355 ER/871.2 IP)...Their last seasons with an ERA that low through 97 G were 2018 (3.61) and 1993 (3.45). In 15 games since 6/30, Sox starters are 8-2 with a 2.66 ERA (26 ER/88.0 IP)–MLB's lowest mark in that span. Sox starters have thrown 6.0+ innings in each of their last 7 G, the club’s longest streak since 6/13-21/18 (8 G).

Vaughn Grissom is on a rehab assignment with Triple-A Worcester...He started at 2nd base yesterday at Lehigh Valley and went 0-for-2 with 2 walks and a stolen base.