Game 42: Tigers at Red Sox - Boston attempts to even series with Lackey on the hill

Ben Whitehead
Contributing Writer

The Boston Red Sox lost their second straight one-run game in the series opener against the Detroit Tigers. In a pitcher's duel between two aces, Max Scherzer outlasted Jon Lester in a rain delayed 1-0 Sox loss. The Red Sox have fallen under .500 again and are now 2.5 games back in the AL East in fourth place.

It will be another battle of strong starting pitchers today. On the bump for the Red Sox will be John Lackey. He is 5-2 with a 3.57 ERA, and has won three straight decisions over a span of four starts. In that span, he's allowed seven runs with 29 strikeouts and four walks in 29 innings. Lackey is 6-3 with a 3.86 ERA in 12 career starts against the Tigers.

Here's the Red Sox (20-21) lineup for tonight's game (first pitch - 7:10 pm ET):

1) Pedroia, 2B
2) Victorino, RF
3) Ortiz, DH
4) Napoli, 1B
5) Sizemore, CF
6) Carp, LF
7) Pierzynski, C
8) Bogaerts, SS
9) Holt, 3B

Lackey, P

It will be Rick Porcello getting the nod for Detroit (25-12). Porcello is trying to win his sixth straight game - same as Scherzer did last night. Porcello is 6-1 with a 3.22 ERA this season.

Good news for Vic
Shane Victorino has been bothered by a left knee injury he suffered when he slid into third base in Tuesday's game in Minnesota. John Farrell said Victorino's knee is still swollen, but the medical staff will fit him for a brace and does not believe he will need to go on the DL.

Big stick for Big Papi
David Ortiz went 1-for-3 Friday to up his season-long hitting streak to nine games. Big Papi is 17-for-32 (.531 AVG) with five homers, three doubles and eight RBI during the streak.

Home not so sweet
Boston is 10-12 at Fenway Park this season, a far cry from when it won 53 games at home in 2013 - the best home record in the American League. Detroit is 12-4 on the road.

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