Boston Red Sox vs Cincinnati Reds Box Score on Sep 24, 2017

The Sports Xchange
Sep 24, 2017

CINCINNATI -- Mookie Betts' three-run double highlighted a four-run eighth inning to help the Boston Red Sox rally for a 5-4 victory over the Cincinnati Reds in the finale of a three-game series on Sunday afternoon at Great American Ball Park.

Rafael Devers homered for the Red Sox, who swept the series to reduce their magic number to four to clinch the American League East title.

The Red Sox (91-64) lead the New York Yankees by five games.

Craig Kimbrel earned his 35th save with a 1-2-3 ninth inning. Robby Scott (2-1) earned the win.

Cincinnati scored its fourth run by way of an electric baserunning display by center fielder Billy Hamilton.

Hamilton walked with one out in the seventh and got caught in a rundown attempting to steal his 59th base of the season. But when Dustin Pedroia's throw sailed over first baseman Mitch Moreland, Hamilton took off and didn't stop until he beat catcher Christian Vazquez to home sliding headfirst to make the score 4-1.

A Red Sox win appeared unlikely at this point.

But Boston loaded the bases with one out in the eighth. And, Betts' double to center off Reds closer Raisel Iglesias drove in three runs to tie the score 4-4.

It was Iglesias' second blown save of the season. He also took the loss to fall to 3-3 on the season.

It was the final home game for Cincinnati (66-90), which has lost six straight.

The Reds finish the season with a six-game road trip to National-League Central contending Milwaukee and Chicago.

Red Sox starter Doug Fister allowed three earned on nine hits with no walks and nine strikeouts in 5 1/3 innings.

Fister who owned a 9.69 ERA in this first inning this season, allowed a run on two hits including Scooter Gennett's RBI double which put Cincinnati ahead 1-0 in the first. But Gennett was retired in a rundown trying for a triple, helping Fister avoid further damage.

Fister struck out seven through three innings, all but one was caught looking. He fanned all three batters he faced in the third.

Devers, who also homered in Friday's series opener, hit his 10th of the season into the visitor's bullpen in right, tying the score 1-1 in the fifth.

Devers' homer was one of only two hits allowed by Stephens through five innings.

Stephens singled with two outs and Adam Duvall on first in the fifth.

Duvall was awarded home plate when Jackie Bradley Jr.'s throw to third sailed into the camera well, giving the Reds a 2-1 lead.

Hamilton followed with a triple into the right field corner scoring Stephens to make the score 3-1.

Cincinnati had the bases loaded with two outs in the sixth, but Fernando Abad got Tucker Barnhart to ground to short ending the inning.

Reds rookie right-hander Jackson Stephens was in line for his third victory after giving up a run on two hits through six innings before the Red Sox rally in the seventh.

NOTES: Boston Red Sox RF Mookie Betts returned to the lineup after being scratched from Saturday's start with a left foot contusion. ... Reds RHP Deck McGuire will make his first career start on Tuesday at Milwaukee. ... Reds RHP Rookie Davis has been shut down due to a shoulder issue. ... Red Sox INF Eduardo Nunez tested his sprained knee Sunday afternoon by running the bases the met with the training staff to determine his status. ... Cincinnati has lost 90 or more games in three straight seasons for the first time since the 1930s when they lost 90 or more in five straight.