Red Sox Rally, But Fall To Tigers In Season Opener
BOSTON (CBS) - The Boston Red Sox dropped their season opener 3-2 to the Tigers in Detroit Thursday afternoon.
Boston reliever Mark Melancon had a tough debut with his new team, allowing two hits in just a third of an inning in the bottom of the ninth. Melancon was pulled after allowing back-to-back singles to Jhonny Peralta and Alex Avila. Interim closer Alfredo Aceves came in, but gave up the game-winning run on an Edwin Jackson RBI single with one out.
The run was charged to Melancon, who was tabbed with the loss.
Stats: Red Sox-Tigers Box Score
After being down 2-0 entering the ninth inning, the Boston bats came alive and rallied for a pair of runs off Detroit closer Jose Valverde. Dustin Pedroia led the inning off with a double, and would later score on David Ortiz' sac fly. Then with two outs and a runner on second, Ryan Sweeney tripled to right on an 2-1 count, scoring pinch-runner Darnell McDonald to tie everything at two.
Red Sox starter Jon Lester went seven strong innings for Boston, allowing just one run on six hits. Detroit did not get their first run off Lester until the seventh inning off an Avila RBI double.
Reigning Cy Young and MVP winner Justin Verlander kept the Red Sox' bats silent during his time on the mound, allowing just two hits over eight innings while striking out eight.
The Red Sox and Tigers get back at it Saturday afternoon, when Josh Beckett opposes Doug Fister.
