By ,
Published February 05, 2015
Boston, MA (SportsNetwork.com) - Torii Hunter's RBI single in the first inning proved to be the only support Max Scherzer and the Detroit bullpen needed, as the Tigers recorded their ninth consecutive road win, a 1-0 victory over the Boston Red Sox.
Scherzer (6-1), the reigning American League Cy Young Award winner, tossed six-plus scoreless innings. The right-hander gave up three hits while striking out seven and walking four en route to his sixth straight win.
"Scherzer's numbers back up how good he is," Red Sox manager John Farrell said.
The Tigers have won nine in a row on the road for the first time since they opened 17-0 away from home in 1984.
Boston starter Jon Lester (4-5) allowed one run on four hits with seven strikeouts and three walks over five innings.
This series is a rematch of the 2013 ALCS, a six-game Red Sox win en route to their World Series title.
Ian Kinsler scored the game's only run. He reached base on an infield single, moved to second on Miguel Cabrera's walk and raced home on Hunter's single to left-center field.
Scherzer was cruising when the game was delayed 47 minutes by rain in the top of the fourth inning. In the bottom half of the frame, Scherzer gave up a two- out single to David Ortiz, who slipped rounding first base. Ortiz stayed in the game and moved to second when Mike Napoli walked. But the inning came to an end with Mike Carp going down swinging.
Boston's best chance to score came in the sixth. David Ross singled and Dustin Pedroia walked to put men on first and second with no outs. Ross moved to third when Grady Sizemore grounded into a double play. Scherzer intentionally walked Ortiz before striking out Napoli to end the threat.
Scherzer's night ended after he gave up a leadoff single to Carp in the seventh. Evan Reed came in from the bullpen and hit Xander Bogaerts with a pitch. Jackie Bradley Jr. struck out swinging before Ian Krol replaced Reed. Pinch-hitter A.J. Pierzynski grounded into an inning-ending double play.
Joba Chamberlain retired the side in the eighth and Joe Nathan pitched a perfect ninth for his 11th save of the season.
Game Notes
Ortiz extended his hitting streak to nine games ... The Tigers own the best record in the majors at 25-12, including 12-4 away from Comerica Park ... Boston went 0-for-5 with runners in scoring position and stranded five.
https://www.foxnews.com/sports/scherzer-solid-as-tigers-edge-red-sox