The Red Sox lost the first game of their postseason to the Indians in Cleveland Thursday night.
Boston led early, but starter Rick Porcello gave up three home runs in the third inning, and the Sox trailed the rest of the night.
While the Red Sox got on the board in the first inning, it ended with a blow. Dustin Pedroia doubled to start it and scored from third on a Hanley Ramirez double. Brock Holt followed him home and was called safe, giving the team a 2-0 lead and an out to spare.
But Indians manager Terry Francona, who led Boston to its first World Series in 86 years before winning again three years later, challenged the call. Holt was ruled out, taking away half the lead and ending the inning.
Cleveland tied it up in the second. Andrew Benintendi responded with a solo homer in the top of the third — the Indians responded to that with solo homers from Roberto Perez, Jason Kipnis and Francisco Lindor.
Porcello and Indians starter Trevor Bauer each struck out six. Neither allowed a walk. Each gave up six hits, and each was pulled out of the game before finishing his fifth inning, the score 5-3 in Cleveland's favor by the time the bullpen came into play.
Drew Pomeranz came in to relieve Porcello and former Red Sox and Yankees reliever Andrew Miller took over for Bauer. Pomeranz struck out five in two and a third, allowing three hits and a walk but keeping the score steady. Miller struck out four through two innings, giving up a walk and a hit.
Holt homered off Bryan Shaw in the eighth inning to cut the lead in half. Closer Cody Allen came in to face Ortiz, who doubled. Pinch runner Marco Hernandez made it to third, but the Sox couldn't tie it up.
Boston will send ace David Price to the mound Friday afternoon to combat Cleveland ace Corey Kluber in Game 2. The Red Sox will be looking to avoid coming back to Boston in a 2-0 hole.
