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Red Sox down Tigers in rain-shortened game

Aug 1, 2012 - 7:24 AM Boston, MA (Sports Network) - Carl Crawford capped a four-run fourth inning with an RBI single as Boston topped Detroit, 4-1, in a rain-shortened contest at Fenway Park.

Pedro Ciriaco and Jacoby Ellsbury were also credited with an RBI each for the Red Sox, who were awarded their fourth straight victory following a rain delay of one hour, 45 minutes.

Josh Beckett was pulled after 2 2/3 innings due to a back issue. Clayton Mortensen (1-0), recalled from Triple-A Pawtucket before the game, recorded eight outs in relief for the win.

"It locked up on me, a little spasm," Beckett said. "I've had this before. I obviously couldn't throw a strike with it."

Franklin Morales was credited with a save despite retiring just one batter and leaving the bases loaded in the top of the sixth before the deluge.

Justin Verlander (11-7) gave up six hits and four runs -- three earned -- over five full frames for the Tigers, who have dropped six of eight.

Boston supplied all its offense in its second-to-last turn at the plate. After loading the bases with one out thanks to singles by Cody Ross and Jarrod Saltalamacchia and a walk to Kelly Shoppach, Ciriaco singled in a run, Ellsbury's walk forced in another, then Crawford's hit plated one and an Omar Infante error allowed one more to cross the plate.

Mortensen walked Prince Fielder to start the sixth, and after Delmon Young flied out, Morales was summoned. Ryan Raburn grounded into a fielder's choice, but Alex Avila singled and Jhonny Peralta walked to fill the sacks.

At that point, the rain was deemed too heavy for play to continue.

"At some point the umpires have to make the call and it's a tough call," Tigers manager Jim Leyland said. "You have the bases loaded and you are a little bit excited that you have a shot, but the umpires do the best they can with that stuff."

Detroit opened the scoring in the third as Infante beat out an infield single with two down, Austin Jackson was plunked, Quintin Berry walked and Miguel Cabrera drew a base on balls to force in a run.

Beckett departed after the fourth ball, then Mortensen entered and retired Fielder for the final out.

Game Notes

After being swept to open the season in Detroit, the Red Sox have won five of the next six meetings against the Tigers...Prior to the game, the Red Sox dealt first baseman Lars Anderson to the Cleveland Indians for pitcher Steven Wright and acquired pitcher Craig Breslow from Arizona in exchange for pitcher Matt Albers and outfielder Scott Podsednik...In addition, the Sox placed outfielder Ryan Sweeney on the 15-day DL, recalled outfielder Ryan Kalish from Pawtucket, activated pitcher Chris Carpenter from the 60-day DL and optioned him to Pawtucket.