The Boston Red Sox are slowly starting to pull away with the AL East Division, as well as the rest of baseball under first-year manager Alex Cora. They took another step on Sunday afternoon, becoming the first team to 70 wins this season with a 9-1 rout of the Detroit Tigers. Boston's bats finally woke up after scoring just one run in the first two games combined, giving plenty of run support to their ace, Chris Sale.
The left-hander lasted six innings and struck out nine to earn his 11th win against a team he is very familiar with from his time with the Chicago White Sox. Sale did not walk a batter but did need 99 pitches to get through six innings, which shortened his outing. Although, he did win his sixth straight decision, while also lowering his ERA to an AL-best 2.13.
Jackie Bradley Jr. provided a big punch with a three-run home run for Boston, who is now 19-4 in their past 23 games, and hold a five-game lead in the AL East over the New York Yankees, whose game against the New York Mets was postponed due to rain.
Sale has now won each of his last five starts, allowing just one run over 33 innings in that span. His streak of five straight starts with 11 strikeouts and just one walk did come to an end. Although, his strikeout-walk ratio was not bad at all on Sunday.
Blaine Hardy got the start for the Tigers in place of Michael Fulmer, who was recently sent to the disabled list with an oblique injury. Hardy allowed four runs on five hits over three-plus innings in his third loss. Jeimer Candelario's solo home run was the lone source of offense for the Tigers, who dropped two of three over the weekend at home.
The Red Sox continue this road trip against another favorable foe in the Baltimore Orioles on Monday night. The Tigers will be in Kansas City to battle the Royals that same night.
The left-hander lasted six innings and struck out nine to earn his 11th win against a team he is very familiar with from his time with the Chicago White Sox. Sale did not walk a batter but did need 99 pitches to get through six innings, which shortened his outing. Although, he did win his sixth straight decision, while also lowering his ERA to an AL-best 2.13.
Jackie Bradley Jr. provided a big punch with a three-run home run for Boston, who is now 19-4 in their past 23 games, and hold a five-game lead in the AL East over the New York Yankees, whose game against the New York Mets was postponed due to rain.
Sale has now won each of his last five starts, allowing just one run over 33 innings in that span. His streak of five straight starts with 11 strikeouts and just one walk did come to an end. Although, his strikeout-walk ratio was not bad at all on Sunday.
Blaine Hardy got the start for the Tigers in place of Michael Fulmer, who was recently sent to the disabled list with an oblique injury. Hardy allowed four runs on five hits over three-plus innings in his third loss. Jeimer Candelario's solo home run was the lone source of offense for the Tigers, who dropped two of three over the weekend at home.
The Red Sox continue this road trip against another favorable foe in the Baltimore Orioles on Monday night. The Tigers will be in Kansas City to battle the Royals that same night.
