Wong and Refsnyder homer, and the Red Sox take series from Reds with 7-4 victory
CINCINNATI (AP) — Connor Wong and Rob Refsnyder each hit two-run homers as the Boston Red Sox took the series from the Cincinnati Reds with a 7-4 victory on Sunday.
The Red Sox have won seven of eight and are now a season-best six games over .500.
“We finished the trip the right way,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora sad. “We played well. There was a lot of energy. Great team performance.”
Jarren Duran led off for Boston and went 3 for 5 with a double and two RBIs.
Reds manager David Bell was ejected in the fourth inning by home plate umpire Todd Tichenor for arguing balls and strikes. It was Bell’s third ejection this season and 30th as Reds manager, tying him with Sparky Anderson for most in franchise history.
“It’s an emotional game,” Bell said. “I was reminded today that I’m not supposed to say anything.”
The Reds have lost eight of 12 and three straight series.
Sunday was a bullpen day for the Red Sox who used eight pitchers. Zack Kelly, who threw six pitches while earning the victory on Saturday, started and tossed 2 2/3 scoreless innings with three strikeouts.
Greg Weissert (3-1) was credited with the victory.
“We asked certain guys (to do) a lot today in the pitching department,” Cora said. “We'll see where we are tomorrow.”
Wong extended his hitting streak to 13 games with a two-run home run in the fourth inning off Reds starter Nick Lodolo to put the Red Sox ahead 2-0.
“The offense did our job,” Duran said. “We just tried to keep it simple. He’s a really good pitcher and if he feels you’re being a little too aggressive, he’s going to pick you apart.”
Lodolo (8-3) took the loss for Cincinnati. Bell said the left-hander was dealing with a blister.
“He started the game with a pretty good blister,” Bell said. "It really affected him mostly on the curve ball. He was able to throw some good ones. It was a pretty good effort right there.”
Refsnyder's two-run homer, his third of the season, came in the sixth off Brent Suter to lift Boston to a 7-1 lead.
The Reds scored three runs in the sixth off Brad Keller, including Tyler Stephenson's RBI double.
Kenley Jansen allowed one hit in the ninth and recorded his 15th save.
The Red Sox improved to 24-16 on the road, fourth-best in the majors.
“There's a lot of things that go into that,” Cora said. “It's a good group. They get along. Athleticism and youth has put us in this spot. They're establishing themselves as big-leaguers. They just show up and play.”
TRAINERS ROOM
Reds: 2B Matt McLain ( left shoulder surgery ) had an exam on his shoulder which went well. McLain remains on track to return in August. He has started running and should begin swinging a bat soon.
UP NEXT
Red Sox: Right-hander Tanner Houck (7-5, 2.14 ERA) starts Monday against the Blue Jays.
Reds: Right-hander Carson Spiers (0-1, 3.20) starts Monday against the Pirates.
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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
