CLEVELAND – Mike Napoli hit a three-run double in Boston’s seven-run second inning and the Red Sox, playing with heavy hearts one day after the deadly bombings back home, beat the Cleveland Indians 7-2 on Tuesday night.
Boston’s players were en route to Cleveland when they learned of the explosions near the Boston Marathon’s finish line that killed three and injured more than 170. The Red Sox were hoping to bring relief to those affected by the tragedy, and may have while winning their fourth straight.
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The series opener was also Indians Manager Terry Francona’s first game against the Red Sox, the team he led to two World Series titles during eight seasons in Boston.
Helped by five walks, the Red Sox scored seven runs in the second off Ubaldo Jimenez (0-2) and gave Felix Doubront (1-0) all the support he needed.
Staked to the big lead, Doubront allowed two runs and four hits in five innings. He struck out seven.
Monday’s tragic events brought a somber tone to Francona’s reunion as well as to the Red Sox. Before the game, in a clubhouse devoid of its usual sound and bustle, several players spoke of how a memorable Patriots Day win over Tampa Bay turned horrific.
“It’s weird,” pitcher Jon Lester said. “You see these things, it’s like movies. For it to hit home like this, to be on that sidewalk plenty of times, eaten at those restaurants plenty of times, it hits at home. It’s a scary deal.”
With the American flag clinging to the pole and at half-staff, the Red Sox and Indians, wearing black armbands, solemnly took the field for a moment of silence to honor those who lost their lives. As players placed their caps over their hearts, closed their eyes and bowed their heads, Boston’s “B” logo appeared on the left-field scoreboard with “STRONG” written underneath.
Before the first pitch, Fenway Park standard “Sweet Caroline” filled the ballpark, another nod to Boston and moving forward.
Francona was hoping the game could bring everyone affected by the tragedy some comfort.
“If it helps anybody at all, that would be terrific,” he said. “I don’t know how you quantify what happened. It’s just unfair. I just hope maybe this game does help some people.”
Cleveland did all it could. A young fan presented the Red Sox with a sign he wrote in red ink and ordained with hearts. The note, which was hung in Boston’s dugout, read: “From our city to your city: Our hearts and prayers go out to you, Boston. Love, Cleveland.”
The Red Sox hung a gray jersey with No. 617 — Boston’s area code — above their bench during the game.
For Francona, there will be another day to reflect and get nostalgic about his days in Boston.
Francona did all he could to downplay his first meeting against the Red Sox since he was fired following the 2011 season, when Boston collapsed down the stretch.
The year he spent working as an ESPN analyst may have helped heal some hurt feelings, but Francona knows things will be different on Cleveland’s visit to Boston next month.
“We’re not in Boston. I had mostly eight really good years (there),” he said. “I don’t think I would have scripted the end the way it ended. And you move on. Sometimes it’s time to move on. I’m really happy where I’m at here, and I think it’s unfair to the players for me to have like, nostalgia week. Our job is to beat them. And it is ‘them.’ “
His starter didn’t help.
Jimenez was atrocious in his two-inning stint. He walked five, two with the bases loaded.
Pedro Ciriaco hit a sacrifice fly and Ellsbury had an RBI single off Jimenez, who was pulled after walking Pedroia to load the bases on his 59th pitch. As he walked slowly to the dugout, Indians fans let Jimenez know how they felt. He is 1-12 since the second half of last season.
Cody Allen relieved Jimenez and gave up Napoli’s three-run double to make it 7-0.
It’s a good thing the Red Sox struck early. They struck out 16 times against five pitchers.
NOTES: The Red Sox placed closer Joel Hanrahan on the disabled list with a hamstring injury. Red Sox DH David Ortiz was hitless in four at-bats on a rehab assignment at Triple-A Pawtucket. He’s rehabbing an Achilles injury and hasn’t played for Boston this season. Manager John Farrell hopes Ortiz will return for a weekend home series against Kansas City.
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