Red Sox fall to the Indians in 11
Boston — Another close game and another lateinning loss for the Boston Red Sox and their listless offense.
Nick Swisher led off the 11th inning with a homer and the Cleveland Indians beat the Red Sox 3-2 on Sunday to gain a split of the four-game series.
For the second straight day, Boston gave up a 2-1 lead in the seventh inning. Cleveland tied it there and won it after the Red Sox failed when they loaded the bases in the ninth.
“We had opportunities. The ninth inning, in particular,” Boston manager John Farrell said. “We walked the bases loaded in the ninth and were a base hit away, or a swing away from ending it right there.
“It’s been elusive. I can’t say that we change our approach. One through nine, it’s not that we’re going about it differently, but it’s been elusive.”
Swisher homered against Junichi Tazawa (11), who took the loss one day after walking in the winning run in Cleveland’s 3-2 victory.
“A 2-1 fastball that he left on the inside part of the plate to Swisher,” Farrell said. “He obviously has that capability, but we’re challenging him given his four previous at-bats on the day and maybe some of the inconsistencies he’s had during the season — and got beat on it.”
On Saturday, Boston allowed two unearned runs in the seventh.