BOSTON — Instant reactions from the Red Sox’ 6-2 loss to the Tigers on Sunday at Fenway Park:
1. The Red Sox dropped to 8-13 while the Tigers improved to 12-10.
2. Red Sox ace Garrett Crochet was coming off the worst start of his career last Monday in Minnesota, allowing 11 runs (10 earned) while recording just five outs.
He struggled again Sunday against the Tigers. Crochet gave up five runs on seven hits, two homers and two walks while striking out eight.
The 26-year-old lefty allowed just one run in the first four innings, then retired the first two batters of the fifth inning. But the next five hitters reached, turning a 1-1 score into a 5-1 Tigers lead.
Detroit’s four-run fifth inning included Jahmai Jones bashing a 423-foot solo home run to center field and Dillon Dingler crushing a 397-foot three-run home run to center field.
Jones homered off a 96.1 mph sinker from Crochet while Dingler’s blast came against a 95.6 mph four-seam fastball.
3. Crochet allowed one home run in his first three starts. He has allowed four home runs in his past two starts. He dropped to 2-3 with a 7.88 ERA, allowing 21 earned runs in 24 innings.
4. Crochet’s velocity rebounded in this game. His 35 four-seam fastballs averaged 95.8 mph, up from 94.9 mph on his 13 fastballs last Monday.
5. The Red Sox’ offense stroked just six hits — with two coming in the ninth inning. Boston — which has averaged 3.86 runs per game through its first 21 games — has scored four runs over the first three games of this four-game series against Detroit. Tigers starter Framber Valdez allowed one run in seven innings.
6. Willson Contreras’ team-leading fourth home run tied it 1-1 in the first inning. He hit it 394 feet to left field with a 109.4 mph exit velocity.
7. The Red Sox lost one of their challenges in the first inning. Catcher Carlos Narváez tried to turn a 2-2 ball call into a strike three. But the call was upheld and Dingler hit an RBI double two pitches later.
8. Roman Anthony, who has had difficult with the accuracy and strength on his throws, threw out Gleyber Torres at the plate after he tried to score on Dingler’s single to left field.
9. The Red Sox and Tigers will play at 11:10 a.m. on Marathon Monday. Right-hander Sonny Gray (2-1, 4.43 ERA) will start for Boston opposite righty Jack Flaherty (0-1, 4.05 ERA).
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