G58: Red Sox 5, Giants 3 (10)

Red Sox - 011 000 100 2 - 5  9  0
Giants  - 001 200 000 0 - 3  7  1

Xander Bogaerts's soft single to center scored two runs in the top of the tenth inning. Bogaerts finished the night with two hits and three RBI.

The Red Sox had loaded the bases with none out on a double by Sandy Leon, Josh Rutledge's walk, and a bunt single from Mookie Betts. Dustin Pedroia grounded to third and the Giants forced Leon at the plate - and a potential squander suddenly seemed possible. But Bogaerts blooped a 2-2 pitch from Santiago Casilla into shallow center, giving the Red Sox the lead. Boston had a chance to get some more when Josh Osich intentionally walked Hanley Ramirez (0-for-4), reloading the bases for Jackie Bradley. It was a curious move, but Bradley flied out to left.

In the bottom of the tenth, Craig Kimbrel allowed a leadoff single to Jarrett Parker, but retired the next three batters. The game ended on Denard Span's routine fly to Bradley on the warning track in left center.

The Red Sox took a lead with two outs in the second inning on back-to-back doubles from Bradley and Chris Young. In the third, Betts doubled and Bogaerts's infield single brought him in. (Bogaerts once again slid head-first into the bag, slowing his momentum and risking being the third out of the inning, and nullifying the run. There is a reason why world-class sprinters don't dive head-first on the track at the finish line - IT SLOWS YOU DOWN! Could someone please explain this simple fact to Xander?)

The Giants got one run on Parker's homer in the third and they tied the game at 2-2 when Rick Porcello (6-5-3-1-6, 93) loaded the bases by allowing three singles and then walked in a run. A double play grounder brought in San Francisco's go-ahead run.

Boston tied the game in the seventh without a hit. Bradley walked with one out. Reliever George Kontos came in and walked Chris Young. David Ortiz pinch-hit for Christian Vazquez and the Giants brought in lefty Javier Lopez. Ortiz grounded the first pitch into the shift. Shortstop Brandon Crawford was where the second baseman usually plays and he grabbed the ball and tried to tag Young. But Young stopped running and ducked down, avoiding the tag. Crawford threw to first and the return throw down to second was too late to get Young. So instead of an inning-ending double play, the game was tied 3-3. Josh Rutledge was announced as a pinch-hitter for Porcello, so the Giants called on Hunter Strickland, who promptly fanned Rutledge.

Manager John Farrell has already said that Ortiz - who began the night #3 in batting average, #1 in OBP, #1 in slugging, #1 in OPS, #1 in doubles, #1 in extra base hits, #1 in total bases, #1 in RBI, and #1 in runs created - will not start tomorrow. Farrell: "There's some maintenance that's required with his lower legs and his heels. ... I don't want to risk losing him. David's been great as far as days where he's not felt 100 percent, but he's pushed it."

Rick Porcello / Albert Suarez

Betts, RF
Pedroia, 2B
Bogaerts, SS
Shaw, 3B
Ramirez, 1B
Bradley, CF
Young, LF
Vazquez, C
Porcello, P

The Red Sox will play two games in San Francisco (tonight and Wednesday) before heading to Minnesota for a Friday/weekend series against the Twins. Then it's back to Fenway for a 10-game homestand against Baltimore, Seattle, and the White Sox.

The Giants are 35-24 and lead the NL West by four games over the Dodgers. Suarez, a 26-year-old right-hander, made his debut one month ago and has appeared in six games. In his only start, on June 1 in Atlanta, he allowed three runs in five innings.

Blake Swihart has "a severe ankle sprain" and will have his left foot immobilized for two weeks. It is possible that he could be out for the rest of the season.