BOSTON (AP) — Xander Bogaerts’ single up the middle off Blaine Hardy in the 11th inning drove home the winning run, and the Boston Red Sox snapped an eight-game losing streak with a 2-1 victory over the Detroit Tigers on Friday night.
Hardy (3-2) gave up a leadoff walk to Mookie Betts, who moved to second on Brock Holt’s sacrifice bunt. Bogaerts then sent a changeup into center field and Betts beat the throw home in a play that withstood a video review as the Red Sox celebrated their first victory in nearly two weeks.
Justin Masterson (4-2) worked around Ian Kinsler’s third hit and a walk in the 11th to earn the victory on a night Justin Verlander and former Detroit teammate Rick Porcello dueled to a draw.
Porcello, who spent the past six seasons in Detroit, allowed one run over seven innings in his first start against the Tigers. He struck out six without a walk in a much-needed strong performance amid a disappointing season.
Verlander, still looking for his first victory, gave up a run and seven hits in eight innings in Detroit’s eighth loss in 11 games.
Porcello, Detroit’s first-round draft pick in 2007, won a career-best 15 games last season.
He was traded in December and the Red Sox quickly gave him a new contract. But the right-hander entered with a 5.79 ERA — worst in the AL among qualifying starters — and his 10 losses matched the most in the league.
Porcello routinely played golf in Detroit with his old teammate Verlander, who was going through his own struggles.
The former AL MVP didn’t get out of the fourth inning in his last start, sported a 6.62 ERA and the Tigers had lost all six of his starts since he returned from a triceps injury.
Working in a sharp slider, Verlander retired the first seven hitters before Shane Victorino’s bloop single. Then the righty’s recent troubles — pitching out of the stretch — seemed to strike again.
Ryan Hanigan and Holt followed with singles, the latter scoring Victorino to make it 1-1. But Verlander settled down and was lifted after throwing 111 pitches that included three strikeouts and no walks.
Ex-Red Sox shortstop Jose Iglesias doubled to left and scored on Kinsler’s single up the middle in the third off Porcello, who then got his signature sinker working.
J.D. Martinez (2 for 4) was wiped out on Nick Castellano’s double-play groundout in the fourth, and Porcello struck out four over his final three innings in his longest stint since June 3.
The Red Sox were without DH David Ortiz (rest) and second baseman Dustin Pedroia (hamstring) as they returned from an 0-7 trip in which they were outscored 39-13.
Mike Napoli lined sharply to pitcher Al Albuquerque with Bogaerts on second to end the ninth. But Bogaerts produced Boston’s third walkoff win of the season, and its first since April 27, against Toronto.
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