Adrian Beltre bashed a pair of home runs to help cut into a five-run deficit, but the Red Sox couldn't make it all the way back, falling to the Indians 6-5 in the first of a four game series. John Lackey navigated ran into serious trouble in the sixth inning when he walked three of the five batters he faced.
The walks led to a three-run inning for Cleveland, eventually putting the Tribe over the top. Beltre made a valiant effort to drag his team back into it. The All-Star blasted a solo shot leading off the seventh inning, and a three-run bomb in the eighth to make it a 6-5 game. Beltre also had the first Boston RBI with a sac fly in the second.
Just as things have started to look up for the Sox in terms of health, they lost Kevin Youkilis early in the game. The first baseman exited with what was described as a jammed thumb, which hopefully isn't serious. The Indians couldn't escape this game with everyone intact either. Promising catching prospect Carlos Santana hurt his knee in a collision with Ryan Kalish at home plate.
Kalish was out on the play, but Santana likely will be out for much longer. Kalish continued his excellent debut with the Red Sox. The young outfielder went 3-for-3 with a walk, upping his average to .500 over the past few games.
Boston tries to get back on the winning track tomorrow evening against Cleveland. Josh Beckett looks for his second win since coming back from the disabled list. He goes up against 2-9 David Huff for the Indians. From here on out, every game carries a lot of importance because the Sox need to gain ground every chance they can on both the Yankees and the Rays if they hope to keep their playoff chances alive.
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