Raffy's HR, Verdugo's clutch single lift Red Sox over Cleveland

Jim Monaghan
Content Coordinator

Alex Verdugo's line drive single to right field with the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth drove in pinch runner Taylor Motter with the winning run as the Red Sox beat Cleveland 4-3 Saturday afternoon at Fenway Park.
Photo courtesy of USA Today

The best part for Verdugo? Cleveland had walked JD Martinez to get to him.

The win was the fourth in a row for the Red Sox and gave Boston another series win, the fifth in their last seven series.

Adam Ottavino was the winning pitcher, despite allowing Cleveland to tie the game in the top of the ninth.

Tanner Houck started and was very stingy over his five innings of work scattering just three hits and striking out seven while not walking a batter.

Rafael Devers (pictured) ripped his 33rd home run of the season in the bottom of the seventh, a new career high for the Red Sox third baseman.

The Yankees and Athletics both lost on Saturday moving Boston to two games behind New York and three ahead of Oakland (both in the loss column) for the Wild Card.

Weird stat of the game - the Red Sox had three sacrifice bunts in the game. The last time they did that? 1993.

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