BOSTON — Instant reactions from the Red Sox’ 8-1 loss to the Guardians on Wednesday at Fenway Park:
1) The Red Sox dropped to 78-63. They won their three-game series against Cleveland, 2-1, and went 3-3 on the homestand.
2) Boston’s bullpen-game strategy proved ineffective, with opener Brennan Bernardino recording only two outs. Boston used three pitchers —Bernardino, Jordan Hicks and Steven Matz — in the first two innings and they combined to allow seven runs, including six in the second inning.
3) Jordan Hicks’ ERA with the Red Sox ballooned to 8.20 in 21 appearances. Hicks, who Boston acquired from the Giants in the Rafael Devers trade on June 15, allowed four runs on four hits (one homer) while recording just one out. Opponents have batted .321 against him. He’s given up 20 runs (17 earned runs), 25 hits and 12 walks while striking out 15 in 18 ⅔ innings.
4) Righty Zack Kelly was one of the lone bright spots. He pitched 4 scoreless innings of relief, allowing just two hits and no walks while striking out four. He recorded seven swings and misses and his fastball reached 96.9 mph.
5) One other highlight came when Jarren Duran made a leaping catch on a 350-foot drive from Jhonkensy Noel against the Green Monster for the top of the ninth inning’s final out.
6) The big news came before the game. The Red Sox placed star Roman Anthony on the 10-day injured list with a left oblique strain. These injuries typically require a 4-6 week absence.
7) The Red Sox have Thursday off before opening a six-game road trip with the first of three games in Arizona against the Diamondbacks. Rookie Payton Tolle will make his second MLB start.
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