BOSTON — Instant reactions as reigning Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal dominates the Red Sox (8-12) and the Tigers win, 4-1, at Fenway Park:1) Considering how Boston’s offense has had trouble against some inexperienced, unproven and struggling pitchers so far this season, it was no surprise that Skubal proved to be a very tough task. The lefty struck out 10 Red Sox batters in six innings, allowing just one run while allowing four hits.At the start, it looked like Skubal had the stuff to flirt with a no-hitter. Boston had just one baserunner and no hits through four innings, with Skubal striking out eight of the first 13 hitters he faced.2) With Skubal going for the Tigers — and dominating — Brayan Bello had to be nearly perfect for the Red Sox.

He was far from it, and that was clear from the jump, when he needed 35 pitches in a laborious first inning.Bello allowed two singles and a walk before forcing in a run when he walked Kerry Carpenter with the bases loaded and two outs. With how Skubal looked early, Detroit’s 1-0 lead looked insurmountable, even that early in the game.3) The real damage off Bello, though, came in the third, when he allowed four more runs on a homer to Carpenter, a Jake Rogers sacrifice fly and a McGonigle RBI single. That was enough in the eyes of Alex Cora with Bello at 84 pitches.Bello pitched well in St.

Louis on Sunday (2 runs in 6 ⅔ innings) but has now failed to get through five innings in three of his four starts. After a strong 2025, he has taken a step back so far.4) The Red Sox who Skubal victimized most? No. 3 hitter Willson Contreras and No. 4 hitter Trevor Story were both 0-for-3 with three strikeouts.Contreras singled to lead off the ninth against ex-Red Sox closer Kenley Jansen and Story grounded into a fielder’s choice for the first out.

Jansen then delivered his fifth save of the season two batters later.5) Boston had chances to do some damage in the middle of the game but Skubal escaped. With the bases loaded and no outs in the fifth, Connor Wong came to the plate as the potential tying run — and promptly grounded into a double play as the Tigers gladly traded a run for two outs. One pitch later, with the score 4-1 and a man on third, Isiah Kiner-Falefa popped out to end the inning.Two singles to open the sixth put runners on the corners with no outs but two strikeouts and a groundout later, Skubal went back to the dugout unscathed.6) For the Red Sox, it was a much-different outcome — with a much-different lineup — than they had against Skubal in Detroit last spring.

A lineup that featured Rafael Devers, Alex Bregman and lefty-masher Rob Refsnyder tagged the Tigers ace for five earned runs on seven hits in 6 ⅓ innings at Comerica Park on May 14 of last season, though Skubal did have 11 strikeouts. Detroit won that game, 6-5, on a walk-off single by Justyn-Henry Malloy.7) An early bright spot for the Red Sox’ bullpen? Jovani Morán, who continued a very strong start to the season with three shutout innings in relief of Bello.

Throwing 41 pitches, the lefty allowed a hit and walked one batter while striking out three. His ERA for the season is 1.35 through 13 ⅓ innings.8) The loss snapped a brief two-game winning streak for the Red Sox, who are back to four games under .500. Detroit had lost nine road games in a row before the win.

Boston fell to 4-4 at home so far and lost to a left-handed starter for the first time all season (in just three tries).9) Sunday will mark the return to the mound for lefty Garrett Crochet (2-2, 7.58 ERA), who will have plenty of eyes on him as he attempts to get back on track after a disastrous start Monday night in Minnesota. The task won’t get much easier for the Red Sox, who will face Tigers lefty Framber Valdez (1-1, 3.75 ERA).Sunday’s first pitch has been moved back three hours to 4:35 p.m. ET because of rain in the forecast, according to the Red Sox.

It was originally set for 1:35 p.m.More Red Sox coverageRed Sox had Tarik Skubal ‘on the ropes’ but couldn’t take advantage of chancesRed Sox’ Brayan Bello (6.75 ERA in 4 starts) offers simple fix for early-season strugglesWho’s the Red Sox No. 1 catcher? Alex Cora dodges the questionRed Sox lineup vs. Tarik Skubal doesn’t have Friday hero — or Jarren DuranFinally, run prevention works in Red Sox’ favor | Sean McAdamRead the original article on MassLive. Add MassLive as a Preferred Source by clicking here.