The Boston Red Sox continued to get creative with their pitching staff on Thursday, tabbing left-hander Brennan Bernardino as their opener against the Cleveland Guardians. It was a familiar role for the 27-year-old reliever, who thrived in six opening assignments last season.
As the Red Sox juggled their rotation amid injuries to starters Nick Pivetta and Garrett Whitlock, Bernardino took the hill first before handing off to bulk reliever Cooper Criswell.
The Boston Red Sox hoped the friendly confines of Fenway Park would provide a cure for their early season defensive ailments. Instead, their woes only intensified in a deflating 7-0 loss to the Los Angeles Angels on Friday.
Entering their home opener with a 7-3 record on a West Coast road trip, the Red Sox looked to build off a strong start bolstered by stellar starting pitching. However, sloppy defense and an ice-cold offense resulted in the club’s fourth straight defeat to open their homestand.
In a game where runs were at a premium, the Boston Red Sox managed to eke out a hard-fought 1-0 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates in a tense defensive battle that kept fans on the edge of their seats until the very last out.
The clash at Fenway Park was a pitchers’ duel for the ages, with both sides’ moundsmen putting on a clinic in command and control. Pittsburgh’s starter Falter was in fine form, spinning three scoreless innings while allowing just two hits and striking out four batters.
