Riding a seven-game winning streak and welcoming shortstop Stephen Drew back to the lineup, the Boston Red Sox walked into Progressive Field with high hopes on Monday night. The Cleveland Indians had other ideas and took the opening game of the series 3-2.
After the Red Sox left the bases loaded in the top of the first, the Indians made sure to not let their scoring opportunity in the bottom of the frame slip away. First baseman Lonnie Chisenhall drove in the first two runs of the game with a single to left. The Indians added another run in the bottom of the third when shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera smacked an RBI single to right field, scoring center fielder Michael Bourn.
Boston could not muster any offense until the eighth inning, when first baseman Brock Holt singled with one out. Third baseman Xander Bogaerts followed and belted a 392-foot home run to right center to pull the Red Sox within one run. In the ninth, the BoSox were retired in order, seeing their winning streak come to an end.
Drew, who made his season debut, went 0-for-2 and recorded one walk, while hitting eighth in the Red Sox lineup.
"It felt good," Drew said, according to mlb.com. "It's nothing new when you've got the same guys on the team, which really benefits all of us in that aspect. It felt good to get back out there with the guys and really good defensive-wise. I felt normal."
Boston starter John Lackey pitched a complete game, surrendering three earned runs on eight hits. He suffered the loss, dropping his record to 6-4.
Cleveland starter Justin Masterson went seven scoreless innings, recording 10 strikeouts and picking up the win, reportsESPN.
The matchup in the second game of the series will feature Jake Peavy for the Red Sox and rookie T.J. House making his home debut for the Indians.