Will Brennan hit a pinch-hit, two-run homer in the seventh inning and the Cleveland Guardians beat the Red Sox 6-0 on Monday in Boston’s traditional Patriots’ Day game.
José Ramirez and Gabriel Arias each added an RBI double for Cleveland, which has started 8-2 on the road.
Wearing their white jerseys with red letters that read “Boston” across the front, which was inspired by the first game back after the Boston Marathon bombings in 2013, the Red Sox were held to three hits.
Boston left fielder Tyler O’Neill had to leave the game in the eighth after colliding with third baseman Rafael Devers when the two were chasing a shallow pop up.
Making his season debut after starting on the injured list due to a viral illness, Guardians starter Xzavion Curry held the Red Sox to two singles over five innings.
The 25-year-old righty was isolated in the team’s hotel in spring training for days and lost 15 pounds. He looked ready to go for the 11:13 a.m. first pitch after a pair of minor-league rehab starts, where he posted a 1.29 ERA with eight strikeouts over seven innings.
Brennan hooked his homer around the Pesky Pole in right off reliever Brennan Bernardino (0-1).
Tim Herrin (1-0) worked two innings of hitless relief for the win.
Boston right fielder Wilyer Abreu made a splendid leaping, over-the-shoulder catch before he tumbled into the base of the bullpen wall on Ramirez’s fly ball in the first inning.
Boston has been scheduled to play on Patriots’ Day in Fenway Park every year since 1959. The game is played in conjunction with the running of the Boston Marathon that passes through Kenmore Square, which is a block behind the Green Monster and about a mile from the finish line.
Former New England Patriots player Rob Gronkowski spiked the ceremonial first pitch, going to the stretch before throwing it into the mound. It brought a huge roar from the crowd.
Red Sox starter Kutter Crawford struck out six over 5 2/3 scoreless, giving up two hits.
The Guardians will continue their road series against the Boston Red Sox on Tuesday, April 16th, with first pitch set for 7:10 p.m.