NEW YORK — The Red Sox talked with Luis Severino during free agency this past offseason. He ended up signing a one-year, $13 million with the Mets and dominated Boston’s struggling offense Monday.
Severino allowed just one run over 7 innings. The Red Sox lost 4-1 to the Mets here at Citi Field.
The Red Sox have scored just three runs and recorded 16 hits over their past three games. They lost 2-1 at Detroit on Saturday and 4-1 at Detroit on Sunday.
“Right now we’re grinding as an offense,” manager Alex Cora said before Monday’s game. “I think Jarren (Duran) is the only one that has actually been consistent with (Wilyer) Abreu. But besides that, right now as an offense, we’re not doing those things that we usually do.”
The Red Sox had an opportunity in the eighth inning. Rafael Devers batted with two runners in scoring position and two outs after a walk, hit by pitch and wild pitch. But Mets lefty Danny Young for Devers to ground out to second base.
Red Sox starter Brayan Bello allowed four runs, seven hits and one walk while striking out four in 5 innings. He induced nine swings and misses, including six with his changeup.
The Mets went ahead 1-0 in the second when a run scored on a 5-6-3 double play.
Boston tied it 1-1 in the third on Duran’s RBI single to right field. Duran tried to extend into a double and got thrown out at second base.
Brandon Nimmo’s RBI double in the bottom of the third put New York back ahead, 3-1. It went over Duran‘s head after he seemed to take a step in.
Luis Torrens doubled into left field in the fourth. DJ Stewart was able to score all the way from first base because left fielder Tyler O’Neill bobbled the ball. O’Neill was charged with an error and Torrens was not given an RBI.
Tuesday’s game
Red Sox righty Kutter Crawford (8-12, 4.12 ERA) will pitch opposite Mets lefty David Peterson (8-1, 2.83 ERA). First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m.
