Devers Breaks Tie in 6-Run 8th, Red Sox Beat Reds 8-2 to Avoid Sweep

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS (AP) - Rafael Devers' double broke a tie in the eighth inning and the Boston Red Sox beat the Cincinnati Reds by 8-2 despite Chris Sale leaving the game early due to shoulder pain.

Sale left after Alex Cora, the manager of the team and a member from the training staff had visited the mound two times in the fourth inning. Sale was out of the game with two outs after walking Nick Senzel with Boston trailing by 1-0.

Sale struck out five over 3 2/3 innings. Sale, 34, has had a difficult time staying healthy in Boston. He underwent Tommy John surgery in the year 2020. He last made it through a full season without being placed on the injured list in 2017.

Devers, after walking in the bottom of inning to lead off the inning and tying the game at 1-1 with Chris Martin in the eighth inning, doubled Alex Verdugo in. Devers nearly hit out with a deep shot to center straightaway.

Boston scored five more runs during the inning. Ramiel Tapia, a pinch-runner, scored after Kevin Herget (1-2), a reliever was called for a foul ball. Kiki Hernandez then singled in two more runs. Connor Wong hit a shot to the Green Monster that knocked two of those two runs home.

Kenley Jansen rounded off Cincinnati's win with a ninth-inning scoreless.

The Reds, looking to complete a 3-game sweep, opened the scoring with Kevin Newman's two-run double in the third. Boston tied the game in the fourth inning when Justin Turner singled Devers in. Devers got a double gift when centerfielder Jose Barrero dropped the ball on the lights.

Hernandez scored a solo home run for the Red Sox. In the eighth, Matt McLain singled past the drawn in infield.

Hunter Greene, the Reds' starter, allowed one run in six inning. He struck out eight.

ARMED & READY

Verdugo's fourth assist was recorded in the fourth inning, when the Reds were looking to build on a 1-0 advantage. Verdugo, after fielding Stuart Fairchild's fly ball, threw a one-hop to Wong who blocked the plate and prevented Spencer Steer from scoring. Replay confirmed the decision made on the field that it was a double play of 9-2.

TRAINING ROOM

Reds manager David Bell confirmed that LHP Nick Lodolo's (leg) walking boot will be worn for the next 2 weeks. Bell has been listed as injured since May 14.

Red Sox INF Christian Arroyo, who has a hamstring injury, continued his rehab with Triple-A Worcester Thursday. He went hitless in 5 at-bats.

Reds: LHP Brandon Williamson (0-0-0, 5.02) starts the first of a four game series at home on Friday night against Milwaukee.

Red Sox: The AL East's leading Tampa Bay will be at Fenway in the first game of the series. RHP Garrett Whitlock (2-2, 5.14) gets the call. Boston and Tampa are scheduled to play four games over three days, including a doubleheader for Saturday.