FINAL: Red Sox 7, Detroit Tigers 5 (10) - Rafaela Gives Sox Lead in Extras, Duran Pads It

The Red Sox (70-65) defeat the Detroit Tigers (68-68) in extra innings, winning 7-5 after scoring three in the top of the tenth.

The Sox got the scoring started early, with Jarren Duran coming in from third on an RBI groundout from Triston Casas in the first inning. They would score another run in the third with a Wilyer Abreu sacrifice fly to center, scoring Romy Gonzalez. In the fourth, Connor Wong would hit an RBI double to bring home Tyler O'Neill. Wong would follow that up with a solo home run in the sixth to give the Sox a 4-0 lead. They wouldn't score again until the tenth and only extra inning, where Ceddane Rafaela hit a two run blast to left to make the score 6-4. In the following at bat, Jarren Duran would hit a moonshot to right field, making it 7-4. The ball traveled 431 feet for his 21st homer of the season.

Tanner Houck got the start tonight, and he did what he does best. He pitched six scoreless innings, allowing three hits, striking out six and only walking two batters. He was in line for the win until Brennan Bernardino replaced him in the seventh, which he got out of after sitting down the Tigers in order. The eighth was a different story, as he gave up a three run home run off the bat of Kerry Carpenter, to bring the Tigers within one run. Kenley Jansen would come in for the save in the ninth, but blow it after allowing a single from Zach McKinstry, who quickly stole second. Jake Rogers would then tie the game with a double to left, forcing the game to go to extra innings. Chris Martin came in for the save in the tenth, shutting the cage on the Tigers with a 1-2-3 inning, although allowing the ghost runner to score to give us a final score of 7-5.

My Player of the Game - Tanner Houck: If it weren't for the bullpen, Houck would have his ninth win of the year, but I am sure he is just as happy with his great performance tonight in spite of losing out on the decision. He lowers his ERA to 3.12.

Tomorrow's game is slated for a 6:10 p.m. start. The probable pitchers for that one are Nick Pivetta (5-9, 4.61 ERA) and Cy Young candidate Tarik Skubal (15-4, 2.58 ERA).
                                                                                                                                                                                                                               ____________________________________

WHO: Red Sox (69-65) at Detroit Tigers (68-67)
WHEN: 6:40 p.m.
WHERE: Comerica Park
SERIES TO DATE: 2-2
STARTING PITCHERS: RHP Tanner Houck (8-9, 3.23 ERA) vs. RHP Casey Mize (2-6, 4.23 ERA)
TV/RADIO: NESN, WEEI-FM 93.7

LIVE BOX

LINEUPS

RED SOX

Jarren Duran CF
Wilyer Abreu RF
Triston Casas 1B
Rafael Devers DH
Tyler O'Neill LF
Connor Wong C
Nick Sogard 3B
Romy Gonzalez 2B
Ceddanne Rafaela SS

SP Tanner Houck

OPPONENT

Parker Meadows CF
Riley Greene LF
Matt Vierling RF
Kerry Carpenter DH
Jace Jung 3B
Spencer Torkelson 1B
Zach McKinstry 2B
Trey Sweeney SS
Jake Rogers C

SP Casey Mize

WHAT'S UP

The Red Sox tonight begin a 6-game road trip, visiting DET (3 games) and NYM (3 games). Boston is 6-9 in its last 15 games and 11-14 in its last 25. The Sox are 15-23 in 38 games since the All-Star break. BOS is 40-36 (.526) since the start of June, tied with KC and MIN for the AL's 2nd-best record in that span behind HOU (47-29).

The Red Sox on Wed. vs. TOR recorded their 13th shutout win, tied with ATL, PHI, and SEA for most in MLB. The Sox' most recent seasons with more than 11 shutout victories were 2018 (14), 2011 (13), and 2008 (16). Boston was shut out in last night's loss vs. TOR...It was the club's 6th time being shut out this season, tied for 3rd fewest in the AL behind BAL and KC (5 each).

The Red Sox are 12-3 in their last 15 games against the Tigers, beginning 4/12/22. The clubs split a 4-game series at Fenway Park from 5/30- 6/2...BOS is 9-1-2 in series vs. DET since June 2017. The Sox have won 5 consecutive games at Comerica Park and are 11-4 in 15 games at the venue since the start of 2018...Boston is 47-37 all-time at Comerica Park.

Boston leads MLB in doubles (266) and XBH (462), while leading the AL in hits (1,201, 2nd in MLB). The Sox also rank in MLB's top 5 in AVG (5th, .258), SLG (3rd, .435), and OPS (4th, .759). They were held to 3 R or fewer in 5 of their last 7 games, batting .212 (47-for-222) with a .614 OPS in that span.

Boston's outfielders rank 2nd in MLB with 36 defensive runs saved (TOR-41)...They rank within the top 10 in LF (T-9th, 4 DRS), CF (1st, 26), and RF (6th, 6). The Sox rank T-6th in MLB with 23 outfield assists. Jarren Duran is tied for the MLB lead in outfield assists (11, also CHC's Ian Happ) and ranks T-2nd in DRS (21).

Jarren Duran hit his 20th home run on Tuesday, becoming the 1st player in MLB history to record 40 doubles, 10 triples, 20 HR, and 30 SB in a season. He's the 4th player in Red Sox history to record 75+ XBH and 30+ SB in a season, joining Mookie Betts (2018), Jacoby Ellsbury (2011), and Tris Speaker (1912). Duran ranks 3rd in MLB with 8.4 bWAR behind only Aaron Judge (9.8) and Bobby Witt Jr. (8.7)...The only Red Sox players since the start of 1996 to amass 8.0 bWAR in a season are Mookie Betts (2016, '18), Jacoby Ellsbury (2011), and Dustin Pedroia (2011).