Final, Tigers 7-3: Before the series started, Adrian Gonzalez said the team wanted to claim at least three out of four against Detroit.
It wound up being exactly that, since the Tigers pounded Josh Beckett and the rest of the Red Sox' relievers.
Still, the Red Sox should be encouraged by Jarrod Saltalamacchia's home run as he continues to become a force for the team. He's second in homers with 10.
Mid 9th, Tigers 7-3: Wait, Prince Fielder with the RBI triple? Well, it happened thanks in part to the fact that Ryan Sweeney botched the catch.
Delmon Young followed that at-bat up by bringing in Fielder with an RBI single. It was a rocky ending to an inning that started with two straight outs for Hill.
Now, it all comes down to the Red Sox' offense.
End 8th, Tigers 5-3: Joaquin Benoit entered for Phil Coke and struck out Kevin Youkilis swinging on a slider.
Now, with the Red Sox trailing, I wouldn't be surprised to see Will Middlebrooks pinch hit for Nick Punto in the ninth inning.
After Wednesday's laser show — yes, I know the nickname is taken — Middlebrooks could be feeling it.
Mid 8th, Tigers 5-3: Franklin Morales was a bit shaky in relief, throwing 22 pitches, but only 10 of them for strikes.
Red Sox skipper Bobby Valentine was forced to go to Matt Albers to lock up the last save of the eighth inning.
Morales has been impressive on the road this season. At Fenway? Not so much.
9:46 p.m.: Delmon Young clubbed his second homer of the series, sending a shot over the Green Monster.
End 7th, Tigers 4-3: After issuing a walk to Nick Punto, Max Scherzer was pulled from the game.
At that point, Phil Coke came in to relieve. And the reliever basically sprinted in from the bullpen, saving a lot of time and showing some hustle.
He was aided by Quintin Berry's spectacular catch in center field, when he robbed Daniel Nava.
Mid 7th, Tigers 4-3: While this isn't Josh Beckett's best work — if we're looking at numbers — he deserves credit for eating innings and going seven.
Franklin Morales and Matt Albers have been warming up in the bullpen and could be making an appearance very soon.
But it's the second straight day that a Red Sox starter has allowed at least 10 hits.
End 6th, Tigers 4-3: Ryan Sweeney popped out to Miguel Cabrera in that at-bat, but he's still been impressive at the plate.
As he told me, it's a testament to the advice that he's received from Adrian Gonzalez. The Red Sox first baseman has imparted a good chunk of nuggets to Sweeney.
The outfielder is currently batting .318.
Mid 6th, Tigers 4-3: Josh Beckett's strikeout streak of 288 straight games was in jeopardy.
But he quashed that idea, striking out Jhonny Peralta to extend it yet another start. That streak was in jeopardy against the Rays back in April.
It's still not the ideal start for Beckett, though. It's still surprising to imagine that Felix Doubront is the most consistent starter on this staff.
9:08 p.m.: Alex Avila was removed from the game for precautionary reasons, but there is no symptoms of any concussion.
End 5th, Tigers 4-3: David Ortiz homered during Tuesday and Wednesday's games, but has been quiet so far.
The designated hitter has spoiled the Red Sox and fans with his clutch hits, so sometimes it's odd when he has a silent game.
Entering this one, Ortiz has 12 homers and 35 RBIs and was batting .323.
Mid 5th, Tigers 4-3: Miguel Cabrera punished Beckett this time around, belting a double to score a run.
At least, Beckett has made it longer through this start than he did in Comerica Park. Fortunately, Mike Aviles and Nick Punto turned a nice double play to end the threat.
However, may we see Will Middlebrooks and Aviles pull that one off, some time? It's possible.
End 4th, 3-3: You have to give Mike Aviles credit. Wherever the Red Sox place him in the order, he has the same approach.
In the fourth, he just collected a single, improving his batting average to .267.
On Wednesday, the shortstop was batting second. On Thursday, he was batting eighth. Earlier in the past few days, he also hit leadoff and ninth.
Mid 4th, 3-3: With Avila gone, Gerald Laid came off sitting on his butt and slapped a single. Very impressive sequence since Avila's exit was so sudden.
But Josh Beckett had a strong inning there with his pitches, going from the cutter to the two-seamer to the four-seamer to the changeup.
It's worked well and allowed him to retire the next three batters without any problems.
End 3rd, 3-3: Jarrod Saltalamacchia continues to improve his candidacy to be an All-Star.
Shortly after hitting a bomb, he drives in Kevin Youkilis to add to his RBI total. The Red Sox catcher is mashing and really evolved into one of the best hitting catchers in the American League.
The All-Star credentials are there and he's validating his selection as an early draft pick.
8:23 p.m.: Alex Avila took a foul ball to the face. Now, he's bleeding a lot from the top of his nose and looks to be leaving the game.
Gerald Laird has entered in his place.
Mid 3rd, Tigers 3-2: Josh Beckett ran into some trouble against the Tigers' lineup, allowing three singles and a double.
Quintin Berry and Prince Fielder were able to may Beckett pay, collecting RBIs. A sac fly also hurt Beckett.
It's better than when Beckett surrendered a home run party to the Tigers during the Opening Day series.
End 2nd, Red Sox 2-0: Scott Podsednik is earning himself some playing time, belting his second double in his short time with Boston.
In the process, the outfielder drove in Ryan Sweeney to add to the gap against Detroit.
Podsednik could be earning himself a roster spot for the rest of the season with his play, making things difficult for the Red Sox when determining Marlon Byrd and Darnell McDonald's futures.
7:42 p.m.: Jarrod Saltalamacchia crushed a solo shot to center field that missed hitting the Jordan's furniture sign. That means Sox fans were almost close to free furniture.
Mid 2nd, 0-0: Ryan Sweeney has a rocket arm. Upon catching a fly ball in right, he fired a pinpoint throw to Jarrod Saltalamacchia.
The runner was out and Sweeney prevented damage. And it's a play that Adrian Gonzalez likely wouldn't have made, so it was a smart move by Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine.
End 1st, 0-0: The Red Sox are already wearing down Detroit pitcher Max Scherzer.
The team forced him to throw 21 pitches, just 10 strikes, in the first inning.
But with runners in scoring position, Scherzer shut down the threat by striking out Kevin Youkilis. Still, the Red Sox are wearing him down, which could bode well.
Mid 1st, 0-0: Josh Beckett and Jarrod Saltalamacchia are reunited once again as battery mates.
Although Beckett flourished last outing with Shoppach, he's put together his two best starts with Saltalamacchia calling the pitches as a catcher.
Let's see if the chemistry remains the same as it was.
7 p.m.: Here are the lineups.
Red Sox (26-24)
Scott Podsednik, CF
Daniel Nava, LF
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
David Ortiz, DH
Kevin Youkilis, 3B
Jarrod Saltalamacchia, C
Ryan Sweeney, RF
Mike Aviles, SS
Nick Punto, 2B
Josh Beckett, RHP
Tigers (23-27)
Quintin Berry, CF
Brendan Boesch, RF
Miguel Cabrera, 3B
Prince Fielder, 1B
Delmon Young, DH
Alex Avila, C
Jhonny Peralta, SS
Don Kelly, LF
Danny Worth, 2B
Max Scherzer, RHP
8 a.m. ET: The Red Sox (26-24) are eyeing a sweep of the Tigers (23-27) to return the favor from the Opening Day series. In order to achieve that feat, the Red Sox will look to starter Josh Beckett to shut down Detroit's formidable lineup that includes Prince Fielder and Miguel Cabrera, who belted three doubles in Wednesday's loss.
Beckett, who is 4-4 with a 4.15 ERA, will look at atone for his struggles against Detroit in April. During his first start of the year, Beckett unraveled, allowing five homers and seven runs in 10-0 loss at Comerica Park. He only last 4 2/3 innings and struck out three batters. As Beckett attempts to move forward, he'll go up against Tigers starter Max Scherzer.
For more details and analysis from Fenway, follow NESN.com's live blog. Tune into NESN's pregame show at 6 p.m. First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m.
