Green Monster claims Kluber in Boston loss

Associated Press

BOSTON

Corey Kluber felt like he was a victim of the Green Monster.

Kluber gave up four homers — one by Jackie Bradley Jr. and one by Travis Shaw that barely cleared the Monster — and the Red Sox beat the Indians 6-4 on Monday night.

“I mean they hit two pop-ups that accounted for four runs,” Kluber said.

David Ortiz hit his 492nd career homer, Bradley Jr. and Ryan Hanigan connected on consecutive pitches for the Red Sox, who took two of three games.

“Your whole goal is to execute the pitches. After that there’s only so much. That’s out of your control after you let the ball go,” Kluber said.

“I didn’t feel like I made bad pitches to Bradley or Shaw. They ended up being home runs, but you can’t dwell on the fact they turned into home runs.

“They just try to go out there and execute the next one.”

Shaw homered following Ortiz’s solo shot for the Red Sox, who have won four of six.

All of Boston’s runs came off Kluber (8-13), last season’s AL Cy Young Award winner.

“I just think a couple of his fastballs he didn’t locate,” Cleveland manager Terry Francona said.

“And a couple of them, actually, the home run to Bradley was down, just down and maybe towards the middle instead of down and away. Sometimes hitters hit.”

Yan Gomes hit a three-run shot for the Indians, who have lost four of five.

Kluber gave up six runs in six innings, striking out nine and walking one. He was coming off a one-hit complete game in his previous start Friday against Minnesota.

Boston’s victory came a day after the Red Sox shook up their front office, hiring Dave Dombrowski as president of baseball operations.

General manager Ben Cherington declined to stay after he helps with the transition.

Joe Kelly (6-6) gave up one unearned run on five hits, striking out three and walking three to win his fourth straight start. Junichi Tazawa worked the ninth for his first save.

With the Red Sox leading 2-0 in the fourth, Bradley hit a three-run homer off the base of a light stanchion above the Monster.

The ball caromed onto the field while Bradley was scampering around second on a relay throw home before the umpires could get the players’ attention.

Hanigan followed by hitting his completely out of Fenway Park, clearing the Monster seats to make it 6-0.

Bradley also made a nice over-the-shoulder catch in full stride.

Ortiz and Shaw homered in the second. Ortiz’s sailed into Cleveland’s bullpen just beyond the reach of right fielder Lonnie Chisenhall.