Red Sox lose a close game to Indians

Jun 2, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Boston Red Sox starting pitcher

(41) delivers in the first inning against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

The Red Sox winning streak was snapped by a 3-2 loss to the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field on Monday night. Justin Masterson went against John Lackey.

Masterson struggled early in the game, walking three and giving up a hit in the first two innings. The Sox couldn’t capitalize, however. After that Masterson settled down and dominated the batters. He finished the game having pitched seven innings while allowing only three hits and striking out 10 batters, the most strikeouts he has had this season. This stellar effort from Masterson lowers his ERA to 5.21.

Lackey may have earned the loss, but he didn’t have a bad night overall. He pitched eight efficient innings, using only 96 pitches, while allowing eight hits and only three runs and two walks. This quality start from Lackey is just another example of the pointlessness of the win-loss stat for pitchers.

Stephen Drew made his 2014 debut with the Sox tonight. He may not have made a big impression at the plate, going 0-2 with one strike out and one walk, but he held his own on defense. He was part of inning-ending plays in the fourth and the fifth.

The Sox avoided being shut out when Xander Bogaerts hit a two-run homer in the eighth inning. It was his 12th hit in seven games bringing his average to an even .300 and his RBI total to 15.

In the third inning, the Sox challenged a play. The Indians’ Michael Brantley hit a ball sharply to Brock Holt, who whipped it to Drew, who tagged second base and chucked it back to Holt. The first base umpire ruled Brantley safe but the call was changed when John Farrell challenged it.

The Sox and Indians play again tomorrow at 7:05pm as Jake Peavy (1-2 and 4.50 ERA) takes on T.J. House (0-1 and 4.05 ERA).