After starting the season 2-0, the Boston Red Sox have hit a bit of a lull thanks to the flu bug.
On Friday, a game the Red Sox lost 6-5 to the Tigers, the club was without reliever Robbie Ross Jr., outfielder Mookie Betts and designated hitter Hanley Ramirez.
Yesterday, Betts, Ramirez and Ross Jr remained out of action, and reliever Joe Kelly was added to the list of the walking sick. NESN play-by-play announcer Dave O’Brien also came down with the bug and was forced to leave the game in the sixth inning of the Red Sox 4-1 loss to the Tigers. Outfielder Andrew Benintendi was seen throwing up, but braved it out.
“This hasn’t been able to be contained from one certain group to another or a couple of guys,” manager John Farrell said. “There’s three different things that are going around -one’s a respiratory one, one’s flu-like symptoms and one is the full-blown flu.”
However, both Benintendi and Betts are in the lineup today.
Moreland swinging a hot bat
First baseman Mitch Moreland began 2017 0-12 from the plate. However, he has become one of the team’s hottest hitters.
The 31-year-old collected his first Red Sox hit during the eigth inning of Friday’s game. The single helped ignite a five-run frame. Moreland then collected a two-out double and represented the tying runner on base, but Chris Young was unable to plate him.
Yesterday, Moreland tallied two of the Red Sox six hits against Jordan Zimmerman.
Bradley Jr. out
In the top of the ninth inning yesterday, Bradley Jr. hit a deep ball to left field and collapsed rounding first base.
After the game, he saw doctors for testing and the diagnosis was a hyperextended right knee.
“He said everything is intact,” Bradley said.
He expected to play today, but will be sent off for more tests.
Porcello faces old team
The Red Sox will turn to the reigning AL Cy Young award winner Rick Porcello to end their skid.
Porcello, who spent six years in Detroit, is 1-0 with a 1.29 ERA in two starts against his former club.
