Boston @ Cleveland preview
Progressive Field
Last Meeting ( Aug 9, 2012 ) Boston 3, Cleveland 5
A 10-game road trip got off to an ominous start for the Boston Red Sox, who tumbled to their third consecutive loss in the opener of a four-game set against the Cleveland Indians. Boston sits 5 1/2 games out of the second wild card slot but looks incapable of making any kind of run after losing for the seventh time in nine game to drop three games under .500. First baseman Adrian Gonzalez extended his hitting streak to nine games and has nine RBIs in his last five.
Even after ending an 11-game losing streak Wednesday, the Indians started a major housecleaning. Pitching coach Scott Radinsky was fired and veterans Johnny Damon and Jeremy Accardo were released Thursday. Veteran pitcher Derek Lowe, who was designated for assignment last week, is expected to be cut loose Friday. Catcher Carlos Santana continues to produce with a five-game hitting and RBI streak. Asdrubal Cabrera has also hit in five straight and 10 of 11.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, NESN (Boston), Sports Time Ohio (Cleveland)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Red Sox RH Clay Buchholz (9-3, 4.48 ERA) vs. Indians LH Chris Seddon (0-0, 7.71)
Buchholz turned in his fourth consecutive strong start last time out, giving up one run on seven hits against Minnesota. He is 1-0 with three no-decisions in his last four outings, allowing a total of five runs and 22 hits in 30 innings. He was so-so in beating the Indians on May 11, getting touched for four runs in 6 1/3 innings and failing to record a strikeout for the only time this season.
Seddon made his first major-league start in nearly five years on Sunday and did not factor in the decision, lasting 4 1/3 innings and giving up four runs on seven hits. He will be making his third appearance since the 2010 season and has only five career starts. The 28-year-old southpaw went 4-0 with a 2.93 in four starts at Triple-A Columbus last month.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Indians are seeking their first three-game winning streak since July 3-5.
2. Since June 20, Gonzalez has hit safely in 39 of 44 games to raise his average from .257 to .310.
3. Cleveland placed DH Travis Hafner on the 15-day disabled list with lower-back inflammation. He missed six weeks earlier in the season due to knee surgery.