The Boston Red Sox have defeated the Los Angels Dodgers in the first game of the World Series.
Trading Leads
Dodgers and Red Sox meet at the Fall Classic for the first time since 1916. Game one of the World Series featured a pitching duel as Chris Sale and Clayton Kershaw faced off on the mound.
Sale started off the game in impressive fashion with a pair of strikeouts. David Freese hit a single for the Dodgers’ first hit of the game. Sale’s rhythm was not disrupted in any anyways as he left Freese on base to end the inning. The same could not be said about Kershaw. Mookie Betts singled to open up the action for Boston, minutes later, he stole second. That was immediately followed with another single by Andrew Benintendi to bring Betts home. the Benintendi then came around to score from second on a single by J.D. Martinez. Kershaw avoided the big inning after a pop up by Steve Pearce. The Red Sox were up 2-0 early.
Los Angeles cut the lead in half right away with a homer by Matt Kemp put the score 2-1. Dodger batters made Sale work hard as he had to throw 51 pitches by the end of the second inning. Boston’s starter struck out Austin Barnes to end the inning. Kershaw also got in trouble to begin the bottom of the second, He gave two hits putting runners at the corners. He ended the inning with a double play and kept the score intact.
The Dodgers picked up right were they left off in the top of the third. Justin Turner and Freese hit consecutive singles with one man out. Manny Machado then hit another single to bring Turner around to score. The ballgame was tied at two runs a piece. The Red Sox then regained the lead in the bottom frame of the inning. An RBI double off the wall by Martinez gave Boston the lead.
Red Sox Pull Away
Sale retired the Dodgers in order to begin the fourth. Kershaw did the same striking out two out of three batters to end the inning. Boston’s lefty left the game early in the fourth after walking Brian Dozier. The Florida native threw fourth innings, gave up five hits, two runs and struck out seven leaving a man on base. Matt Barnes came in from the bullpen and gave up a single to Turner right from the get go. Machado once again tied the score with a groundout to bring home a run.
Kershaw hit a bump in the road to begin the bottom of the fifth. He walked Betts and gave up a single to Benintendi. Manager Dave Roberts showed no patience as he brought Ryan Madson from the bullpen to replace his starter. Madson loaded up the bases thanks to a wild pitch and a walk to Pearce. The fourth run came in to score as Xander Bogaerts reached base on a fielder’s choice. Rafael Devers then hit an RI single to put the Red Sox up by two, 6-4.
Joe Kelly replaced Barnes on the mound to begin the sixth for Boston. Kelly did a solid job coming from the bullpen as he retired the side in order. Julio Urias did the same with a pair of strikeouts to end the inning.
Nunez Seals The Deal
Ryan Brasier started the seventh on the mound for the Red Sox. He struggled with command as he loaded up the bases thanks two singles and a walk to Yasmani Grandal. Machado batted in his third run of the night with a sacrifice fly to bring the Dodgers a run closer. 5-4
Pedro Baez came in on relief for the Dodgers after a double by Benintendi in the bottom of the seventh. Baez intentionally walked Martinez and later regretted his decision as the big hit came through. Alex Wood replaced Baez on the mound with one out to go in the frame. The Red Sox then blew the game open as Eduardo Nunez hit a three run home run to set the score at 8-4. Nathan Eovaldi Replaced Eduardo Rodriguez on the mound for Boston to begin the eighth. Eovaldi had no trouble against the Dodgers as he retired the side in order.
Los Angeles came in looking for a rally in the top of the ninth inning as they were down to their final three outs. Craig Kimbrel faced the Dodgers trying to close things out. Kimbrel did a masterful job in the last inning, retiring the Dodgers in order to give the Red Sox a 1-0 series lead.
Final Score: Red Sox 8- Dodgers 4
Where To Watch
Game two of the World Series is this Wednesday. The game starts at 8:09 PM E.T. on FOX.