Alex Verdugo delivers walkoff RBI single, Red Sox beat Guardians in extras

BOSTON — Alex Verdugo’s opposite-field RBI single got past the drawn-in infield and gave the Red Sox an 8-7 walkoff victory at Fenway Park on Saturday.

It was Boston’s third walkoff win of the season.

Struggling Christian Arroyo entered 11-for-58 (.190) with a .217 on-base percentage, .241 slugging percentage and .458 OPS in 21 games.

But he recorded three hits, including the game-tying RBI single in the bottom of the 10th.

Connor Wong moved Arroyo to second base on a sacrifice bunt. Wong reached third on a passed ball, then scored on Verdugo’s hit.

Brennan Bernardino pitched the 10th inning for the Red Sox. He recorded two quick outs with the automatic runner at second base. But Mike Zunino then stroked an RBI single to give the Guardians their first lead of the game.

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First blown save for Red Sox

The Red Sox were a perfect 7-for-7 in save opportunities when Kenley Jansen entered with a one-run lead in the ninth inning against the Guardians on Saturday.

Jansen was 6-for-6 in save chances. He also hadn’t allowed a run in 7 ⅔ innings.

But he gave up a game-tying RBI single to José Ramirez.

He allowed a leadoff single to Myles Straw who then stole second base. Steven Kwan’s infield single put runners at first and second with one out for Ramirez.

Brasier strikes again

The Red Sox had a 6-1 lead entering the seventh but Richard Bleier allowed a solo homer, then Ryan Brasier gave up three runs in the frame.

Brasier recorded two outs but also loaded the bases. He walked Straw, gave up a single to Steven Kwan and walked José Ramirez.

John Schreiber replaced Brasier and allowed a bases-clearing double to Josh Naylor.

Brasier has an 8.36 ERA (13 earned runs, 14 innings) in 14 outings this season.

Devers bashes monster home run

Rafael Devers put the Red Sox ahead 3-0 with a monster three-run homer in the first inning.

Devers’ homer left his bat at 114.1 mph and traveled 411 feet into the right field stands.

Bello pitches well

Red Sox starter Brayan Bello pitched through a bloody fingernail.

Bello, who the Red Sox recalled from Triple-A Worcester on Friday to take injured Garrett Whitlock’s spot on the roster and the rotation, pitched 5 innings, allowing one run, five hits, two walks and six strikeouts. The only run he allowed came on a Josh Bell homer in the second inning.

He topped out at 96.9 mph. He averaged 94.8 mph with his sinker and 95.8 mph with his four-seam fastball, per Baseball Savant. He recorded eight swings and misses, including five with his changeup.

The trainer came out to work on Bello’s fingernail during a fifth-inning injury delay.

Bello, blood and all, escaped the inning when he sprinted toward the third base line to field Amed Rosario’s soft roller. He fired a strike to first base for the final out.

Arroyo strokes 2 hits

The Red Sox increased their lead to 5-1 with a two-run fourth inning that knocked Guardians starter Zach Plesac out of the game.

Raimel Tapia doubled off the Green Monster with one out. He scored on Enmanuel Valdez’s double off the Monster. Valdez scored on Christian Arroyo’s single to center field.

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