Rafael Devers' HR, Nathan Eovaldi's Strong Start Lift Red Sox to Win vs. Marlins

The Boston Red Sox wrapped up a nine-game road trip on a winning streak with a 5-3 defeat of the Miami Marlins on Thursday afternoon.   

With a full count and two outs, Boston's Kevin Plawecki broke a tie in the bottom of the sixth inning with a two-run double. In the next frame, Rafael Devers, who had already extended his hitting streak to nine games with a single, hit a three-run home run to give the Red Sox a five-run lead.

The Marlins matched Boston's three-run seventh in the bottom of the inning. Jorge Alfaro hit an RBI single to give Miami its first run before Chad Wallach brought one run in with a double, and Starling Marte sent in another on a groundout. 

Boston, sitting in the bottom of the American League East, improved to 19-32. With the 2-1 series victory, the Red Sox kept Miami from taking its first series against Boston since 1997. 

The Marlins fell to 25-23, a setback in their race with the Atlanta Braves for the National League East title.

Notable Performers

• Nathan Eovaldi, RHP, Red Sox: 5.0 IP, 2 H, 7 K
• Rafael Devers, 3B, Red Sox: 2-for-4, HR, 2 R, 3 RBI
• Jorge Alfaro, PH, 1-for-1, R, RBI
• Garrett Cooper, DH, Marlins: 2-for-4, R

Nathan Eovaldi Is Back

When he returned from a calf injury last weekend, Eovaldi only threw three innings, giving up three hits and a run as the Red Sox fell to the Tampa Bay Rays 5-4. In his second start back from the 10-day IL, the former Marlins pitcher starred.

Eovaldi struck out seven in five scoreless innings, giving up two hits. 

As an unimpressive season winds down for Boston, there's at least something to look forward to for Red Sox fans, as Eovaldi appears stretched out and is scheduled for two more starts. 

Corey Dickerson Couldn't Get It Done with RISP

The 31-year-old left fielder was 0-for-6 against Eovaldi entering Thursday, and he struggled to produce at the plate, going 0-for-5 with two strikeouts. When he struck out in the bottom of the seventh, men stood on second and third as the Marlins trailed 5-2.

He's one of three Marlins with six home runs this season, but he's gone just 5-for-32 (.156) with men on in 2020.

What's Next? 

The Red Sox will head home to host the New York Yankees in a three-game series starting Friday, while the Marlins are set to host to a five-game marathon against the Nationals, with two doubleheaders helping to make up cancellations after their COVID-19 outbreak earlier this summer.