(Photo credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images)

The Boston Red Sox hit a season low Friday night with 4-3 road loss to the Cleveland Guardians. The setback dropped Boston 10 games below .500 for the first time in 2026.Boston (23-33) will attempt to start moving in a positive direction when it faces Cleveland in the second game of the three-game series Saturday afternoon. The Red Sox will look to match the one bright spot from Friday -- the performance by Brayan Bello, who entered the game in the second inning and pitched seven scoreless innings.The Guardians scored their four runs in the first inning against Tyler Samaniego, who was used as an opener before Bello entered the game.'(Bello) was awesome,' Boston interim manager Chad Tracy said. 'And obviously, the way it started he came in and quieted that game down pretty quickly and gave us a shot. Just pounded the strike zone. ... He was as good as you could ask for.'Ultimately having him be that way in a starter role would be awesome. We're still trying. Obviously, we've had some of those (games with an opener) where we haven't gotten off to the best start and he comes in trailing. Credit our guys for battling back again.'Boston has lost six of its past seven games. It's the first time the Red Sox have been 10 games below .500 since the 2020 season.Saturday's game will feature an excellent pitching matchup. Rookie left-hander Parker Messick (6-1, 2.24 ERA) will start for Cleveland and will oppose Boston right-hander Sonny Gray (5-1, 3.27).Messick, 25, has allowed no more than three earned runs in 10 of his 11 starts this season. He has 108 strikeouts and 25 walks in 18 career starts (104 innings), including in 2025.

According to MLB.com, only two Cleveland pitchers have had more strikeouts through 18 starts: Herb Score (139) and Danny Salazar (112). Shane Bieber also had 108 strikeouts in 18 starts.'It's really cool company to be in,' Messick said. 'But at the same time, if I want to stay in that same category, I've just gotta go out there and keep doing it. So whatever I can do to keep doing that.'Messick has one career appearance against the Red Sox, a no-decision last Sept. 4 in a 6-4 loss. He allowed three runs on nine hits in 3 2/3 innings.

Cleveland is 9-2 in games he's started this season.'It doesn't matter who he's pitching against,' manager Stephen Vogt said. 'He's just gonna go attack.'Gray is 7-5 with a 3.20 ERA in 20 career appearances (all starts) against the Guardians, leaders of the American League Central.Gray, 36, struggled with his command in his last start, a no-decision in a 6-5 loss to Minnesota on Sunday. He was pulled after four innings and gave up three runs on six hits, walked two batters and hit another.Cleveland played without outfielder Steven Kwan on Friday. He was placed on the bereavement/family medical emergency list and is expected to miss the entire three-game series.'Obviously our thoughts are with Kwany and his family as they're going through their situation,' Vogt said. 'We're going to miss Steven this weekend.'--Field Level Media