By Patrick Whalen

It was another windy and brisk fall night in Cleveland as the Sox looked to take game 2 of their series with potential ALCS foe, the Indians. Rick Porcello took the mound for the Sox tonight and it was not pretty for Ricky tonight but he was still able to grind through 5 innings of work giving up 4 runs, 3 earned, over 8 hits. Cleveland starter Mike Clevinger also had a not so pretty outing going 5 innings over giving up 2 runs with 3 hits and 5 walks. Both runs coming via solo bombs by Rafael Devers and Blake Swihart.

Both bullpens looked strong tonight giving up just 3 total runs over the last 6 innings. For the Red Sox, Robby Scott was able to work out of another big jam and try and showcase why he should make the postseason roster as the Sox main lefty matchup man. But not to be outdone by Scott’s one inning of work Brian Johnson would come in and throw 3 scoreless innings to make his case for the postseason roster. Also, an extremely promising sign tonight for the Sox was Joe Kelly coming in for the bottom of the 10th inning and getting out of runners on first and second with no outs jam by striking out Josh Donaldson and Yonder Alonso and getting Melky Cabrera to ground out. An appearance that looked much like the Joe Kelly of the first half of the season and if the Sox can get him dealing like that again he may be able to stabilize the bridge to Kimbrel in the 8th.

Brad Hand would end up giving up the tying runs in the 8th as he inherited one of Andrew Miller’s runners. Benintendi would drive home Brock Holt and Blake Swihart on a liner to left to get the sox back in it.

In the end, though it wouldn’t be enough because Drew Pomeranz came on to pitch in the 11th which all Sox fans know is Cora’s way of saying let’s just go back to the hotel and get some rest for tomorrows game. Drew wouldn’t record a single out giving up 2 singles and a walk to load the bases and then Michael Brantly hit a liner to left to end it. I really do not understand why Drew is still even on the roster he’s got an ERA over 6 this year and just straight up stinks. Like would any major league hitter actually be afraid to face this guy?

The Sox offense did again struggle tonight leaving 10 men on and going 1 for 8 with men in scoring position. It may have looked like a pitchers duel on paper but Porcello and Clevinger really grinded to get through their 5 innings. It could have easily been much worse for either pitcher if either team actually took advantage of the struggling starters.

On the bright side, we may see Mookie back in right field according to Alex Cora depending on how his injured left side feels before the game. As for the pitching matchup, the Sox have not named a starter yet so we could be seeing another bullpen game while Cleveland is going with Adam Plutko who has a 4-5 record with a 5.27 ERA. Hopefully, the Sox can get the bats going again tomorrow and take the series to boost the team’s confidence going into the playoffs. Also if the Red Sox win tomorrow it will be a franchise single-season record of 106 wins under first-year manager Alex Cora.