Red Sox 8, Indians 1
Mike Carp hit a three-run homer and John Lackey worked seven strong innings as Boston evened the series against visiting Cleveland.
Jacoby Ellsbury and Dustin Pedroia each singled in a pair for the Red Sox, who dropped the series opener 12-3 on Thursday against former manager Terry Francona and the Indians. Lackey (3-4) made sure Cleveland would not repeat that performance, yielding an unearned run on two hits while striking out eight.
Mark Reynolds scored on a throwing error by catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Justin Masterson (7-3) was reached for five runs on six hits in six-plus innings for the Indians.
Carp gave Lackey all the support he would need in the second inning. David Ortiz drew a walk to lead off the frame and Mike Napoli singled two batters in front of Carp, who ripped a 1-1 slider over the Boston bullpen in right-center for a 3-0 lead.
Cleveland got one run back in the third but Napoli restored the three-run gap with an RBI fielder’s choice in the sixth and the Red Sox broke it open in a four-run seventh. Ellsbury sent a grounder through a drawn-in infield with the bases loaded and Pedroia dumped a two-run single into right to cap the rally.
GAME NOTEBOOK: The first three pitchers used by Francona (Masterson, LHP Rich Hill and RHP Matt Albers) also pitched for him with the Red Sox. … Boston placed 3B Will Middlebrooks (back) and OF Shane Victorino (hamstring) on the 15-day DL and recalled INF Jose Iglesias and RHP Alfredo Aceves. The Red Sox also activated C David Ross (concussion) off the 7-day DL and optioned C Ryan Lavarnway to Triple-A Pawtucket. … Cleveland activated 1B/OF Nick Swisher from the paternity list and optioned INF Cord Phelps to Triple-A Columbus.