Boston Red Sox: Christain Vazquez delivers walk-off homer in dramatic win
By Gio Rivera
Boston Red Sox veteran catcher, Christian Vazquez comes up big in the bottom of the ninth inning, delivering a walk-off home run to seize the victory.
The Boston Red Sox defeated the Cleveland Indians 12-10 in a bizarre 9 innings to say the least.
Boston’s Ace, Chris Sale took the mound in search of his 14th win of the season.
However Sale would have to settle for the no decision Tuesday night, pitching his way through just 5.0 rough innings while allowing 7 earned runs off 8 hits and a walk with 5 strikeouts.
Sale entered the match up with his ERA sitting at 2.37, but left the mound with it rising at 2.70.
Red Sox offense
The Red Sox offense was more than supportive for Boston’s pitching to say the least.
The lineup racked up a total of 15 hits on the night while coming back to take the lead several times.
Eduardo Nunez continues to swing one of the hottest bats in the lineup. He went 3-5 with 4 RBIs and 2 doubles(25), boosting his Red Sox batting average to .500 (.317 season avg).
Mitch Moreland drove in 3 runs as he went 2-5 with a double(21) and home run(13).
Boston entered the 9th inning with a 1-run lead and one of baseballs most dominant closers, Craig Kimbrel taking the hill.
However a solo home run off the bat of Francisco Lindor(17) and a few passed balls would give the Indians a 10-9 lead in the 9th.
How bad was the pitching?
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Pitchers, Chris Sale, Carlos Carrasco, Andrew Miller, and Craig Kimbrel all combined for a total of 14 earned runs allowed on the night.
Both starters failed to surpass a 5.0 inning outing with Sale out for 5 and Carrasco lasting just 1.2.
The Red Sox were tied for the most blown saves in all of baseball for the month of July with 7 and allowed 4 home runs to the Indians tonight.
Christain Vazquez
In the bottom of the 9th inning, the Boston Red Sox rallied back to get a pair of runners in scoring position behind a few wild pitches from Cleveland Indians closer, Cody Allen.
With 2 men out and a 3-1 count, catcher Christian Vazquez walked it off for the Red Sox with a crushing 3-run home run to deep left center field. Just the 2nd home run of the season for Vazquez who finished the game going 3-5 with the homer and a double(13).
Where do the Red Sox stand?
This was perhaps the biggest win of the season for the Red Sox who have struggled lately, losing their 1st place lead to the Yankees and failing to perform with all the negative media attention directed at the clubhouse.
With the win, the Red Sox take a 0.5 game lead over the Yankees who lost to the Tigers Wednesday night.
Next: The Boston Red Sox won’t win the AL East, the Yankees will
The Boston Red Sox wrap up the series with Cleveland tomorrow night with a chance to complete a 3-game sweep of the Indians.
Rick Porcello (4-14, 4.55 ERA) will take the mound for the Red Sox against Trevor Bauer (9-8, 5.25 ERA) of the Indians. First pitch at Fenway is set for 7:00 PM ET.