Will Brennan hit a two-run homer in the seventh inning, coming off the bench, as the Cleveland Guardians defeated the Red Sox 6-0 during Boston’s traditional Patriots’ Day game.
José Ramirez and Gabriel Arias also contributed with RBI doubles for Cleveland, who have a strong 8-2 record on the road this season.
The Red Sox, wearing their special white jerseys with red “Boston” lettering, reminiscent of the post-Boston Marathon bombings game in 2013, struggled at the plate, managing only three hits.
In the eighth inning, Red Sox left fielder Tyler O’Neill left the game after colliding with third baseman Rafael Devers while chasing a shallow pop-up. O’Neill received eight stitches for a gash on his forehead and underwent concussion protocol, while Devers was also assessed for a possible concussion.
Xzavion Curry, making his season debut after recovering from a viral illness, pitched five solid innings for the Guardians, limiting the Red Sox to just two singles.
“It’s hard to get ready for a game at 11 a.m.,” said Guardians manager Stephen Vogt. “But he was eager to start. Even if we had started at 6 this morning, he would have been prepared.”
The 25-year-old pitcher had a tough time during spring training when he had to isolate in the team’s hotel for several days and lost 15 pounds. However, after a couple of minor league rehab starts, where he performed well with a 1.29 ERA and eight strikeouts over seven innings, he seemed ready for the 11:13 a.m. game.
“When I had my rehab start, it was during the day,” said Curry. “I actually like pitching during the day because I can wake up and get right into it. I don’t have to spend time thinking about how the game will go. I can just wake up and start playing.”
Brennan hit his home run around the Pesky Pole in right field off reliever Greg Weissert, leading to Bernardino being charged with the loss. Tim Herrin pitched two hitless innings for the win.
In the first inning, Boston right fielder Wilyer Abreu made an impressive over-the-shoulder catch before tumbling into the base of the bullpen wall while catching Ramirez’s fly ball.
Since 1959, Boston has played on Patriots’ Day at Fenway Park every year. The game coincides with the running of the Boston Marathon, which passes through Kenmore Square, located a block behind the Green Monster and about a mile from the marathon’s finish line.
