{"id":15335,"date":"2025-09-03T19:42:57","date_gmt":"2025-09-04T02:42:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportrelay.com\/mlb\/?p=15335"},"modified":"2025-09-03T19:42:57","modified_gmt":"2025-09-04T02:42:57","slug":"red-sox-pitching-disappoints-leads-to-8-1-loss-to-cleveland-guardians","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportrelay.com\/mlb\/2025\/09\/03\/red-sox-pitching-disappoints-leads-to-8-1-loss-to-cleveland-guardians\/","title":{"rendered":"Red Sox Pitching Disappoints, Leads to 8-1 Loss to Cleveland Guardians"},"content":{"rendered":"

The pitching for the Boston Red Sox<\/a> was disappointing, leading to an 8-1 loss to the Cleveland Guardians<\/a> on Wednesday.<\/p>\n

Game Summary<\/h3>\n

Brennan Bernardino<\/a> started the game after pitching the ninth\u00a0inning in the last game of the series. He eventually got taken out before the end of the first. The lefty allowed one run through 2\/3 of an inning before getting replaced by Jordan Hicks<\/a>. However, after striking out Jhonkensy Noel<\/a> to end the first, the Guardians must\u2019ve eaten their vitamins or said their prayers.<\/p>\n

Hicks allowed four straight hits, including a two-run home run from shortstop Gabriel Arias<\/a>, with Steven Matz<\/a> coming in to replace him. Two more runs got credited to Hicks after a two-run single from Steven Kwan<\/a> to give Cleveland a 4-0 lead. Matz wound up allowing two of his own, but only one earned. One from a wild pitch, and the other thanks to a Jarren Duran<\/a> error.<\/p>\n

Boston finally found some stability pitching-wise in the form of Zack Kelly<\/a>, in his first appearance back since June. Kelly wound up giving the Sox four innings, only allowing two hits and striking out four Cleveland batters. During this time, Nick Sogard<\/a> drove in the sole Red Sox run with an RBI single in the fourth.<\/p>\n

Dustin May<\/a> pitched the last three innings, giving up one run on a sacrifice fly, three hits, and two walks.<\/p>\n

What Went Right for the Sox<\/h2>\n

Kelly Impresses<\/h3>\n

Kelly\u2019s first stint with the Sox ended back in June with a 5.56 ERA and a 1.456 WHIP. In an outing where most of the bullpen disappointed, Kelly came out with something to prove, and did. This could help Kelly earn a spot on the playoff roster if everything goes right for him.<\/p>\n

Gonzalez Proving Himself<\/h3>\n

Romy Gonzalez<\/a> continues to be a constant offensive producer for Boston. Wednesday saw Gonzalez secure his fourth\u00a0multi-hit game in his last five contests.<\/p>\n

What Went Wrong for the Sox<\/h2>\n

Pitching Disappointment Through Two<\/h3>\n

For a staff that ranks fifth in ERA this season, seven runs through two innings is truly crushing. Just like Garrett Crochet<\/a>\u2019s blow-up outing last game, this isn\u2019t the stuff you want to see in a potential playoff team.<\/p>\n

Lineup Turning Anemic<\/h3>\n

Despite seven hits, the Sox couldn\u2019t drive in runs, as Cleveland starter Slade Cecconi<\/a> performed well over six innings, striking out seven while allowing five hits and two walks.<\/p>\n

Looking Ahead<\/h3>\n

The Sox take two out of three against the Guardians before heading out west. They\u2019ll be heading to Chase Field for a three-game weekend series against the Arizona Diamondbacks<\/a>. Boston currently sits a half-game behind the New York Yankees<\/a> in the division, as well as the first AL Wildcard spot. The Sox are currently four games ahead of the Seattle Mariners<\/a> in the Wildcard standings.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Main Photo:
\nEmbed from Getty Images<\/a>