You wouldn’t use the phrase “pitchers’ duel” to describe Wednesday’s game between the Red Sox and Indians. Neither starter, Boston’s Ryan Weber and Cleveland’s Shane Bieber, had much luck in preventing opposing hitters from catching barrel. Though, Bieber at least held the Red Sox scoreless in two of the five innings he tossed. Weber had no such luck, surrendering at least one run in each of his four frames, giving up seven runs in total (all earned).
The Red Sox bullpen wasn’t at its best either, giving up seven runs en route to a 14-9 loss in Wednesday’s rubber match with the Indians. (For a complete recap of the Red Sox' loss, click here.) The Red Sox pitching staff didn’t log a scoreless inning until the eighth inning. Prior to that inning, Boston’s last scoreless inning on defense came in the sixth inning of Tuesday’s 7-5 loss. During the span, the Red Sox gave up 21 runs over nine innings.
Offensively, the Red Sox did plenty against a starter who entered Wednesday with a 3.11 ERA. Before his start at Fenway, Bieber had two outings this season where he gave up more than three earned runs. Wednesday marked the first time he has given up as many as six earned runs this season.
Mookie Betts, Andrew Benintendi, Xander Bogaerts, and Jackie Bradley Jr. each went deep in the loss. All of Bradley’s four home runs this season have come in May. He was a triple short of the cycle, finishing 3-for-4. Benintendi’s home run is his first since May 10 against Seattle. It’s also the left fielder’s third extra-base hit in his last 15 games played. Betts’ home run clocked in at 103.7 MPH off the bat and Bogaerts’ at 103.3, per Statcast. (Bogaerts’ hardest hit of the game was his single in the second inning, coming off his bat at 111.9 MPH. It was also the hardest hit ball of the game.)
Christian Vazquez continued his month-long tear with a 3-for-4 performance. He’s hitting .378 in May (28-for-74) after batting .222 in the 23 games he played in April.