By Zachary McMahon –
The Boston Red Sox played the Philadelphia Phillies for the series finale at Fenway Park on Thursday night. The series was split after the Sox won Game 2 on Wednesday.
Tyler O’Neill played out in right field, while Masataka Yoshida was the designated hitter as they continue to return from their injuries. Tanner Houck pitched for the Sox, as he went six innings, allowed eight hits, three walks, three earned runs, and struck out five batters.
The Sox had four runs in the second inning, which started when Reese McGuire hit a RBI double to start the parade. Jarren Duran would hit a two-run double to make it 4-0.
The Phillies tried to storm back in the fourth with a bases-clearing double by Kyle Schwarber, but in the bottom half the Sox would take off again with a four run inning, highlighted by a three-run shot by O’Neill which made it 8-3. The Sox were able to knock out starter Aaron Nola in the fourth, as he allowed eight runs in 3 ⅔ innings.
In the sixth, the Sox added an insurance run when Enmanuel Valdez hit a RBI double that scored Rafael Devers home to make it 9-3.
Brad Keller pitched three shutout innings to close out the game, only allowing one hit, no walks, but struck out three. Keller was able to pick up his second career save, as he also had one in 2022 with the Kansas City Royals, as the Sox won 9-3 and take the series.
The Sox will play an important series this weekend as they will be playing the New York Yankees, and the long awaited return of Alex Verdugo, who was traded to the Yankees in the offseason. The series will start on Friday with Cooper Criswell going up against Carlos Rodon at 6:30 pm on NESN/ESPN+.
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