Red Sox Edge Guardians 1-0 Behind Sonny Gray’s Six Strong Innings

Sonny Gray Matches MLB Win Lead

The Boston Red Sox held off the Cleveland Guardians 1-0 on Wednesday night behind six shutout innings from Sonny Gray, snapping Cleveland’s six-game winning streak and giving Boston its fifth victory in its last 13 games. Gray improved to 18-5 on the season, tying Philadelphia’s Cristopher Sánchez for the Major League lead in victories. The 36-year-old right-hander allowed four singles, struck out three and walked one while lowering his ERA to 2.72.

Gray is now in position to become the fourth Red Sox pitcher since 2000 to lead the American League in wins. He would join Rick Porcello in 2016, Josh Beckett in 2007 and Curt Schilling in 2004. Boston’s bullpen protected the narrow lead, with Aroldis Chapman striking out the side in the ninth inning for his 35th save of the season.

Monasterio Provides the Only Run

The Red Sox managed just one run, but it was enough. Andruw Monasterio delivered an RBI single in the sixth inning to break the scoreless tie. Jarren Duran started the rally with a leadoff single and advanced on a groundout.

Monasterio then lined a single that allowed Duran to race home, barely beating left fielder Steven Kwan’s throw with a headfirst slide. Cleveland starter Foster Griffin pitched well despite taking the loss. Griffin (15-6) allowed one run on 10 hits while striking out seven.

Guardians Remain in AL Central Race

The loss ended Cleveland’s six-game winning streak, but the Guardians remained one game ahead of the Chicago White Sox in the American League Central. Chicago fell 5-4 to Kansas City on Wednesday night.

Cleveland had an opportunity to clinch a postseason berth Wednesday but needed a victory combined with a loss by either Texas or Houston. The Guardians will now have to wait for another opportunity. Boston had already clinched a playoff spot Sunday.

Rafaela Leaves With Hamstring Tightness

The Red Sox did suffer an injury concern during the victory. Center fielder Ceddanne Rafaela left the game with right hamstring tightness after running out a single.

Rafaela had been activated from the injured list earlier Wednesday after missing time with a right quad strain suffered Sept. 3. He also made a diving, headfirst grab on Kwan, Cleveland’s first batter of the game.

Red Sox, Guardians Set for Series Finale

The Red Sox will send left-hander Ranger Suárez to the mound Thursday for the series finale. Suárez enters the matchup 8-4 with a 3.27 ERA. The Guardians had not announced their starting pitcher as of Wednesday night.