BOSTON — Instant reactions from the Red Sox’ 2-1 loss to the Tigers on Saturday:
1) Did this game really matter for the Red Sox? Boston would have clinched the fifth seed if it won. With the loss, it remains undetermined whether the Sox will be the fifth or sixth seed. Either way, they will be on the road during the Wild Card round this coming week.
2) The Tigers clinched a spot in the postseason despite a terrible September. They are 7-16 this month. They had an 11 ½-game lead in the AL Central on Aug. 23.
Red Sox manager Alex Cora, whose brother Joey Cora coaches third base for the Tigers, said: “They have a true ace in a short series. So they’re a good team. They’re a really good team. …. But talking to my brother throughout, it’s been a grind for them.”
3) Red Sox starter Connelly Early pitched 5 innings, allowing two runs, four hits and one walk while striking out seven. The 23-year-old rookie has allowed just five earned runs in 19 ⅓ innings (2.33 ERA) over four starts. He has 29 strikeouts and four walks. He recorded 10 swings and misses, including six with his curveball.
4) The Red Sox took a 1-0 lead in the second inning on Nick Sogard’s RBI single. Jahmai Jones’ two-run single in the fifth inning gave the Tigers a 2-1 lead.
5) After clinching a postseason berth Friday, the Red Sox sat Alex Bregman, Trevor Story and Romy Gonzalez in this game.
Cora said about the goal for the final two games, “Just stay healthy. That’s the most important thing. Get some guys at-bats. Ref (Rob Refsnyder), he needs some at-bats. The tough part here is we don’t know who we’re gonna play. There’s a lot of scenarios out there. So just get everybody out there, get their at bats, stay healthy and just be ready for Tuesday.”
6) Payton Tolle pitched a scoreless sixth inning. Chris Murphy pitched a scoreless seventh, eighth and ninth.
7) The Red Sox will play the final game of their regular season at 3:05 p.m. Sunday. They have not announced a starting pitcher yet.
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