BOSTON — The Red Sox’ ninth-inning problems came back on Friday night. This time, they survived.
Good thing the Red Sox got some insurance with a three-run seventh, because once again, they made things far more interesting than they needed to be. The Red Sox nearly fumbled away what should have been an easy victory in the ninth, but the bullpen ultimately shut the door on a 6-5 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals to open a three-game series at Fenway Park.
The Red Sox led 6-1 with two outs in the ninth when it almost went terribly wrong for them. Austin Davis couldn’t record the final out, forcing manager Alex Cora to summon Tanner Houck to finish the job. It was difficult for him, too, as he gave up a two-run double to Tommy Edman. But Houck ultimately came through with a strikeout of Paul Goldschmidt to end it and breathe relief into the Red Sox.
