Deflating.

Red Sox 5, Tigers 3

Anibal Sanchez (10 GS, 56.1 IP, 2.24 ERA, 2.33 FIP, 1.8 fWAR) looked a lot like Anibal Sanchez, the Red Sox were just smart enough to foul off as many pitches as they could to chase him out of the game after six innings. Sanchez punched out seven during those six innings and allowed two runs, one on his first home run allowed since last October. It wasn’t his best start of the year, but it was quite good and he left the Tigers in a position to take the game. It was 2-2 in the 7th when Nick and Austin reached to set up the newcomer Eugenio Suarez’s RBI single to left that would prove to be just a tease. Ausmus rode Phil Coke entirely too long in relief, but somehow lived to tell the tale as Coke escaped two jams. It would be Joba for the 9th and all he did was set Ortiz up to hit a go-ahead blast. The Tigers took the series, but failed to complete a sweep that was very much in reach and will try to get it going Monday night in Chicago with Rick Porcello (11 GS, 70.2 IP, 3.69 ERA, 4.00 FIP, 1.0 fWAR) on the bump.

The Moment: Suarez puts the Tigers ahead in the 7th!