Game 94: Red Sox at Mets lineups and preview

The Red Sox have a chance to complete their third consecutive three-game sweep on Sunday.

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After taking the first two games of this weekend’s series against the Mets, Boston brings an eight-game winning streak into its final game before the All-Star break.

The visiting Red Sox swept the Angels and White Sox before traveling to New York, and have the chance to win nine straight games on the road for the first time since 1977.

Rookie lefthander Payton Tolle is Boston’s scheduled starter, and he’s coming off an 8-1 win Tuesday in Chicago. He allowed two hits and a walk in six scoreless innings while striking out six. Saturday will be his first outing against the Mets.

New York sends rookie lefthander Zach Thornton out for his third career start. Thornton last pitched on June 26, receiving a no-decision in a 2-1 home loss to Philadelphia despite allowing only five hits and a run in six innings with a walk and seven strikeouts.

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Interim manager Andy Green was impressed with how Thornton did not back down from hitters in his two big league starts.

“Most days, he’s gonna fill up the strike zone and he’s gonna attack,” Green said. “He’s unafraid, he’s gonna give you what he’s got, he’s gonna step on the mound and he’s gonna be aggressive.”

Here’s a preview.

RED SOX (45-48): TBA

Pitching: LHP Payton Tolle (5-6, 3.14 ERA)

METS (40-56): TBA

Pitching: LHP Zach Thornton (0-1, 4.35 ERA)

Time: 1:40 p.m.

TV, radio: NESN, WEEI-FM 93.7

Red Sox vs. Thornton: Has not faced any Boston batters

Mets vs. Tolle: Zack Short 0-2

Stats of the day: The Mets rank 26th in batting average (.234), 28th in on-base percentage (.304) and 27th in slugging (.381).

Notes: Boston interim manager Chad Tracy opted for a bullpen game on Saturday instead of starting Brayan Bello, and five relievers teamed for a three-hitter, the team’s ninth shutout of the year. Fill-in starter Eduardo Rivera pitched 3 2/3 innings and allowed only one hit. … Andruw Monasterio and Masataka Yoshida each belted two-run homers on Saturday. … Chad Durbin, who batted cleanup for the first time this season, scored on the Monasterio and Yoshida homers. … The Mets have managed just two runs in this series, both on Friday, and went 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position on Saturday while stranding nine men. … Mets shortstop Bo Bichette Bichette has an ankle injury, but was able to serve as a pinch hitter Saturday and drew a walk. He could play Sunday. … After Sunday’s game, the Red Sox will be off until Friday, when they open a series against the Rays with a day-night doubleheader at Fenway Park.

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Information from Field Level Media was used in this report.