Jack Flaherty's masterful performance on the mound was the cornerstone of the Detroit Tigers' 5-0 victory over the Boston Red Sox this past Thursday in the MLB.
Flaherty Domina
Through 6 2/3 innings, Flaherty allowed just one hit, keeping it a no-hit game until the sixth inning. This no-hitter attempt was broken up by Rob Refsnyder, who connected for a single on a 3-2 count.
The only other Red Sox player to reach base against Flaherty was Rafael Devers, who took a base on balls in the fifth inning.
Flaherty's dominance was highlighted by his nine strikeouts and control, throwing 66 of his 104 pitches as strikes. His straight consistently clocked in the mid-90 mph range before being relieved by Alex Faedo with Detroit leading 2-0.
Detroit manager A.J. Hinch praised Flaherty's performance, emphasizing the ease and control with which he managed the game. Despite Flaherty's desire to continue pitching, Hinch opted for Faedo to close out the inning.
Tigers Offensive Explosion
Offensively, the Tigers were powered by home runs from Akil Baddoo, Riley Greene and Gio Urshela.
Baddoo, just up from Triple-A Toledo, started the scoring with a solo home run into the Green Monster bleachers in the fifth inning. The Tigers extended their lead in the sixth inning when Carson Kelly connected on a triple to the right field corner and scored on a single by Mark Canha.
In the eighth inning, an additional offensive explosion came with a two-run home run by Riley Greene and a solo homer by Gio Urshela, clinching the game for Detroit. Greene praised Flaherty's performance, noting how nice it was to watch him from center field.
The Boston Red Sox offensive struggles continued, managing just two hits and four runners on base for the entire game. The Red Sox failed to connect hits through the first six innings, mirroring a similar performance against Milwaukee recently.
Nick Pivetta Equals Punchout Record
Nick Pivetta, Boston's starting pitcher, initially showed strong form, matching Roger Clemens' team record with eight consecutive strikeouts after walking Matt Vierling.
Pivetta's streak ended in the fourth inning with a bunt and he concluded his outing with 5 1/3 innings pitched, allowing two runs on three hits, with nine strikeouts and two walks.
Boston manager Alex Cora noted that Flaherty's recent adjustments had significantly improved his effectiveness, leading to more missed swings.
Started the series off right. #RepDetroit
- Detroit Tigers (@tigers) May 31, 2024
Important Plays
Key moments of the game included Pivetta's streak of eight consecutive strikeouts, which matched Clemens' Red Sox record, and Baddoo's solo home run that gave the Tigers their early lead.
In the seventh inning, Refsnyder's single broke up Flaherty's no-hitter, providing a fleeting moment of hope for Boston.
The eighth inning was critical when Chris Martin ran into trouble, allowing two home runs and three runs, solidifying Detroit's lead.
Player performances varied significantly. For the Red Sox, Nick Pivetta stood out with his strong starting pitching, despite a lack of offensive support. Rob Refsnyder's single was notable for ending the no-hitter attempt, and Cam Booser provided an effective reliever to keep the game close.
Conversely, Chris Martin's poor performance in the eighth inning, allowing three clean runs, was detrimental to Boston's chances. Wilyer Abreu and Jarren Duran had rough nights, failing to produce offensively and struggling defensively.
A critical turning point in the game was Carson Kelly's triple in the sixth inning, which not only set up the Tigers' second run, but also showed a defensive lapse by Abreu. This sequence of events marked a shift in momentum, underscoring Boston's struggles.
The Tigers excelled both on the mound and at the plate and secured a decisive victory. The Red Sox, despite a strong start from Nick Pivetta, struggled to find their stride both offensively and defensively, resulting in a comprehensive defeat.
