Willson Contreras hits 3-run homer, Red Sox outlast Giants 6-4 in Rafael Devers’ return to Fenway

BOSTON (AP) — Willson Contreras hit a three-run home run and the Boston Red Sox held off the San Francisco Giants 6-4 on Friday night in the return of Rafael Devers to Fenway Park.

The Giants pulled within 5-4 in the fourth inning after Drew Gilbert hit a two-run homer off Boston starter Sonny Gray, and Devers followed with a solo homer, his 26th this season.

But Wilyer Abreu’s RBI triple in the sixth gave Boston enough cushion. Gray (16-3) pitched six innings, allowing four runs off seven hits and while striking out six. Aroldis Chapman struck out three and walked one in the ninth to pick up his 28th save.

Bryce Eldridge added an RBI single for San Francisco.

Contreras jumped on an 85-mph changeup from Giants starter Logan Webb (8-8) and crushed a 450-foot rope over the Green Monster and out of stadium for his 26th homer to put the Red Sox in front 3-1.

It was part of a five-run inning for Boston. Webb walked Andruw Monasterio with the bases loaded and then hit Mickey Gasper to let in another run before being pulled.

Friday marked Devers’ first time back at Fenway Park since a refusal to play first base contributed to the three-time All-Star being traded to San Francisco 14 months ago.

Devers received a mix of cheers and boos when he was introduced. The boos were more prominent when he came up to bat. Then, when Gray struck him out, the home crowd erupted in applause.

But Boston fans also cheered for Devers between the first and second innings after a highlight video of him was played on the video screen. Devers was shown on camera applauding and waving.

Up next

Giants RHP Blade Tidwell (0-0, 4.33 ERA) will matchup against Red Sox LHP Patrick Sandoval (1-2, 4.76).

___

See AP’s full MLB coverage here