Article author:
Reuters
The Boston Red Sox clamped host Cleveland Guardians in the first of three games set on Friday 6-3.
It will be difficult to win throughout the season if the Red Sox keeps pitching the way they hit the ball, as they did from Nick Pivetta on Friday. 8th win in the last 9 starts.
Boston will be back on Saturday with right-handed Josh Winkovsky (2-1, 3.68 ERA). He will make his first career appearance against Cleveland.
The Guardians, who were first associated with the Minnesota Twins in the American League Central, will face right-handed Shane Bieber (3-3, 3.00). With four appearances (three starts) against Boston, he recorded 6.95 ERA 2-2.
The Red Sox hit 12 hits on Friday, and Christian Arroyo won 3-4 with a home run and 3 RBIs. Rafael Devers also went deep, with Alex Verdugo and Trevor Story hit twice each.
Boston manager Alex Cora's club has won five straight games, 17 of the last 21.
"We have to keep rolling," he said. "We had to continue. Every series for us is a challenge, it's the way we started.
" Where are we in the standings? We are in a situation where we are having a conversation now. We just have to keep getting better. "
" I Takes a chance with Jose there, "said Guardians manager Terry Francona.
Andres Jimenez was 3-4 on his eighth home run. He has raised his batting average to .314, boosting the All-Star team.
Steven Kwan, Amed Rosario, and Franmil Reyes each added two hits in the Guardians' 12-hit attack.
Despite dropping a series of games, the Guardian has won eight of the last 11 games and 17 of the last 23 games.
Like Boston, they rely heavily on starting rotation, four of which are homemade: Beaver, Aaron Civale, Triston McKenzie, Zach Plesac.
"Four guys came from our system," said Carl Willis, Cleveland's pitching coach. "They saw each other evolve from Class A.
" Our guys are doing a great job of supporting each other. They are learning a little from each other.
Cal Quantrill is the only starting pitcher not drafted by the Guardian. He was acquired in a trade with the San Diego Padres.
"They are excellent and competitive," Francona said. "We're lucky and we know it."
Despite a dozen hits on Friday, they couldn't break through the Red Sox.
"I couldn't hit a little when I needed it," Francona said.
Liriver Yohan Ramirez made his Cleveland debut against the Red Sox. He threw two innings for a right-handed man, allowing three hits, one run and one walk. He hit one.
"He was a little unstable," Francona said. "He's good. He needs to take advantage of it and command a little better."
– Field-level media
