Here are the Talking Points from the Red Sox' 8-2 loss to the Cleveland Indians.
BATTER OF THE GAME: Lonnie Chisenhall
Chisenhall gave the Indians the lead in the 4th inning when he doubled off the Green Monster to drive in a pair. In the 6th inning he homered to right field to stretch the Indians lead to 7-1. Sure, Chisenhall may have had a bit of help on that double since Hanley Ramirez was slow getting out there, but he still put good wood on it.
STARTERS REPORT: Matt Barnes looked good his first time through the order, but the Indians weren't fooled by much the second time through. Barnes allowed five runs in the 4th inning, giving up a 1-0 lead in the process. He didn't give up a hit through the first three innings, then gave up five hits in the 4th as the Indians sent nine men to the plate. All in all he lasted 5.0 innings and allowed six runs on six hits and three walks with seven strikeouts.
Meanwhile, Danny Salazar pitched a strong game. Lasting 7.0 innings, Salazar only allowed one run on four hits with a walk and five strikeouts. Aside from a solo home run given up to Travis Shaw in the 3rd inning, Salazar was in control throughout.
BIG PLAY: The Indians did most of their damage in the 4th inning, and it's probably the double by Chisenhall that you can circle as the one that hurt. If Ramirez had a better read on the ball he could have made that catch. It's likely Jackie Bradley Jr. would have made the catch, but he was in right field due to Ramirez's return. The hit drove in two runs and gave the Indians a lead they'd never look back from.
WHAT I LIKED: Hmm . . . well, Travis Shaw continues to crush the ball at Fenway Park. His homer was a pretty deep blast to right field. It landed to the right of the visitor's bullpen but about 10-12 rows up. It's hard to fault the Sox for waiting so long to give Shaw a shot because he wasn't hitting particularly well with the PawSox. But he's come up here and really impressed in a short amount of time. It will be interesting to see if it lasts.
Boston Red Sox
WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE: A lackluster offensive performance tonight, but after three straight games of tearing the cover off the ball it was probably due. There was no comeback bid - not even close - just a lopsided game. Get the Mariners back in here!
WHAT'S NEXT: Eduardo Rodriguez (6-5, 4.83 ERA) takes the mound for the Red Sox Tuesday night, going up against righty Trevor Bauer (9-9, 4.35 ERA).