The Boston Red Sox faced the Los Angeles Dodgers at Fenway Park on Friday, suffering a 5-2 defeat that pushed their record to 55-50 while the Dodgers improved to 61-43. This puts Boston at 2-5 in the second half of the season.
The game started with the Dodgers immediately taking control, scoring first in the second inning thanks to Tommy Edman’s two-out RBI single. They extended their lead in the third inning when Red Sox starter Brayan Bello struggled, walking Teoscar Hernández with the bases loaded and allowing an RBI sac fly from Andy Pages, putting the Dodgers ahead 3-0.
Bello managed to pitch 5 ⅓ innings, allowing three runs on six hits and two walks while striking out five. Noteworthy is his ability to escape a tough spot in the fifth inning with runners on the corners and one out, striking out both Freddie Freeman and Hernández. The pitcher recorded 12 swings and misses during the game, demonstrating improvement in his changeup, a pitch that has seen a decrease in effectiveness this season.
Manager Alex Cora acknowledged Bello’s performance, mentioning that although he hasn’t yet reached the desired changeup usage, the current version of him has been strong on the mound.
Offensively, Connor Wong highlighted Boston’s efforts with his first extra-base hit of the season, a double that led to a run scored by Jarren Duran. Boston briefly narrowed the gap to 3-2 after Alex Bregman’s double brought Duran home.
On the other hand, Jorge Alcala, who had been performing well since joining the team from the Twins, encountered trouble in the eighth inning, allowing a two-run homer to Hernández, bringing the score to 5-2 for the Dodgers. This was an unexpected setback after his solid initial outings with the Red Sox.
The series continues with the second game scheduled for Saturday night, featuring a matchup between two prominent left-handed pitchers: Clayton Kershaw for the Dodgers and Garrett Crochet for the Red Sox. This sets the stage for an exciting contest as both teams look to prove their mettle.
This latest game serves as a reminder of the challenges Boston faces as they move forward, yet it is a chance to witness growth and improvement in players like Bello. The Red Sox have the opportunity to regroup and harness this potential in upcoming matchups.