Russell Branyan capped a night of comebacks with a two-out, two-run single in the ninth inning to give the Cleveland Indians an 8-7 walk-off victory over the visiting Boston Red Sox on Thursday.

Branyan looped a bases-loaded single just beyond the reach of Boston second baseman Dustin Pedroia to salvage a split of the four-game series.

Red Sox fill-in closer Daniel Bard (1-2) absorbed the loss and suffered his fourth blown save of the season.

Making his third appearance of the series with closer Jonathan Papelbon on bereavement leave, Bard loaded the based with no outs but looked poised to escape the jam before Branyan's heroics.

The Red Sox had taken the lead in the top of the ninth when Adrian Beltre slammed a two-out, two-run homer off Indians closer Kerry Wood (1-2) to take a 7-6 lead.

Cleveland had battled back from an early 5-0 deficit with a pair of three-run innings against Red Sox ace Jon Lester.

Lou Marson had a two-run go-ahead single for Cleveland, which entered the night tied with Milwaukee for the fewest home wins (9) in the majors.

Boston had jumped out to a 4-0 first-inning lead, thanks in large part to Indians third baseman Andy Marte, who committed three errors in the inning.