Red Sox fall to the Tigers, 9-8
Boston — Miguel Cabrera hit a tworun home run, Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Tyler Collins each had a pair of RBIs and the Detroit Tigers roughed up knuckleballer Steven Wright to beat the Boston Red Sox 9-8 on Tuesday night.
With the game tied in the sixth, Collins drew a bases-loaded two-out walk, which allowed Justin Upton to score the deciding run.
On a night when both starting pitchers struggled to string together outs, Detroit and Boston combined for 22 hits. Alex Wilson (1-0) got the victory, and Francisco Rodriguez closed for his 29th save.
David Ortiz had a three-run home run, but Boston’s offense didn’t have enough to offset a rare poor outing by Wright, who gave up nine hits and eight runs over 4 2/3 innings. Wright was leading the AL in ERA entering Tuesday. Robbie Ross Jr. (1-2) got the loss. Detroit scored early for the second straight night, this time taking the lead on Cabrera’s 20th homer of the season.
That was followed by RBI singles from Collins and Jose Iglesias in the second inning that made it 4-0.
Detroit starter Mike Pelfrey was solid the first time through the order but lost some of his early command the second time around.
It started in the third when Boston nearly erased Detroit’s lead with one big swing by Ortiz. With Mookie Betts and Xander Bogaerts aboard, Ortiz connected on a 3-2 pitch from Pelfrey to drive his 25th of the season over the right-field wall.
The Red Sox took the lead back an inning later on an RBI groundout by Brock Holt and RBI double by Betts.
Trainer’s room
Red Sox: Manager John Farrell said LF/C Blake Swihart (left ankle sprain) is “ramping up activities” but because of some residual discomfort is not yet ready for a rehab assignment. The next seven to 10 days will be pivotal for him to determine his next step, Farrell said.