Red Sox Fall 3-2 to Guardians in Final Tune-Up Before Playoffs

Boston, already locked into a Wild Card road trip, dropped a 3-2 decision to Cleveland at Fenway Park on Monday night.

The Cleveland Guardians edged the Boston Red Sox 3-2 on Monday night at Fenway Park. The loss carried no standings implications for Boston, which is locked into a road Wild Card series and cannot improve its position.

Erik Miller took the defeat after hitting a batter to open the ninth inning, with the winning run eventually scoring against him. It marked at least the fourth consecutive appearance in which Miller has allowed a run. Bench coach Chad Tracy, asked after the game about Miller's struggles, said the team still trusts his stuff but declined to specify when he would pitch next.

Starter Payton Tolle allowed eight hits and two walks over 5.2 innings, shaking off early command issues. Boston went 0-for-9 with runners in scoring position against a Cleveland club fighting to stay a game ahead of the White Sox in the AL Central.

Mickey Gasper provided the offensive highlight, tying the game with a home run in the eighth inning — his tenth in the last six weeks. Adley Rutschman added a three-hit night, while Jovani Moran struck out three in a scoreless inning of relief. Roman Anthony went 0-for-5 with two strikeouts.