Bregman, Sox Edge Dodgers (7/27/25)

The bad news was Sox closer Aroldis Chapman left the game in the eighth inning in today's Boston Red Sox game against the Los Angeles Dodgers. The good news was somehow the managed to win the game. For four innings it looked like the Red Sox were headed for yet another loss in this gauntlet run of NL playoff teams as they trailed 3-1 going into the bottom of the fifth. Walker Buehler was lit up for 3 early runs and didn't even make it out of the fifth inning. Then the Sox stunned Dustin May and the dodgers as a Roman Anthony rbi triple and an Alex Bregman two run bomb put the Sox ahead. Like navigating shark infested waters, the Boston bullpen hung on despite the loss of Chapman. Ceddanne Rafaela turned a crucial unassisted double play in the eighth inning and the much maligned Jordan Hicks slammed the door in the ninth. The Sox had taken 2 of 3 from the Dodgers including this one 4-3 at Fenway Park.

                                               Jennifer Love-Hewitt approves of the win

After a 40 minute rain delay, Buehler got the ball to start the top of the first. Mr. Mookie Betts grounded out to short but Shohei Ohtani walked. Teoscar Hernandez struck out swinging and Freddie Freeman flied out to right to end the inning. The Sox struck first in the bottom of the first as Roman Anthony was plunked to start. Alex Bregman flied out to right but Jarren Duran lashed a base hit to right to move Roman to third. Trevor Story hit a sac fly to center to score Anthony and Michael Conforto dropped a pop up by Masataka Yoshida....which Duran only went to second because he forgot there was two outs. Naturally Carlos Narvaez forced Yoshida at second to end the inning with the Sox still up 1-0.

                                                      "I don't got it" - Conforto

Andy Pages lined out to right to start the top of the second before Conforto flied out to center. Anthony made a great jumping catch against the Monster on a Tommy Edman line drive to end the inning. Wilyer Abreu flied out to center to start the bottom of the second but Ceddanne Rafaela got a base hit to center. Abraham "El" Toro forced Rafaela at second but stole second base. Anthony grounded out to first to end the inning.

Dalton Rushing grounded out to second to open the top of the third before Miguel Rojas walked. Mr. Mookie flied out to center but Ohtani got a base hit to center. Hernandez walked to load the bases and Freeman walked to score Rojas. Pages lined out to right to end the inning with the game tied 1-1.

                                                            Dodgers tie it up

Bregman took strike three to start the bottom of the third before Duran struck out swinging. Story also went down hacking to end the inning.

The Dodgers took command in the top of the fourth as Conforto hit a home run into Lake Titicaca to start. Edman grounded out to first and Rushing lined out to second, but Rojas walked. Rojas swiped second and scored on the Mr. Mookie base hit to center. Ohtani got a base hit to right to move Betts to third but Hernandez struck out swinging to end the inning with the Dodgers up 3-1.

                                             A familiar sight at Fenway, a Mookie Betts rbi

Yoshida grounded out to second to start the bottom of the fourth and Narvaez struck out swinging. Abreu struck out swinging to end the inning.

Freeman took strike three to start the top of the fifth and Pages was also frozen for strike three. Inexplicably that was it for Buehler as Brennan Bernardino was brought in to face Conforto with Buehler not eligible for the win. Conforto doubled to left and Edman walked, but Rushing flied out to left to end the inning. Buehler had allowed 3 runs in just 4 2/3 innings.

                                                   Buehler deserved to face one more batter

Right on cue the Sox struck in the bottom of the fifth. Rafaela grounded out to short to start but El Toro got a base hit to center. Anthony hit a routine pop up down the left field line but Mr. Mookie lost it in the sun for a "triple" to score Toro. Bregman then launched his 13th home run of the year to put the Sox on top. Duran lined out to center and Story lined out to right to end the inning with the Sox ahead 4-3.

                                                   May doing his Matrix impression

Greg Weissert came in to pitch the top of the sixth and Rojas doubled to center to start. Mr. Mookie flied out to right, Ohtani struck out swinging and Hernandez grounded out to third to end the inning. Jack Dreyer came in to pitch the bottom of the sixth and Yoshida flied out to center to start. Narvaez struck out swinging and Abreu flied out to center to end the inning.

Justin Wilson came in to pitch the top of the seventh and Freeman flied out to left to start. Pages flied out to right but Conforto hit a ground rule double down the right field line. Edman was hit with a pitch and Will Smith pinch hit for Rushing. Smith flied out to left to end the inning. Justin Wrobleski came in to pitch the bottom of the seventh and Rafaela lined out to left to start. Toro was hit with a pitch and it looked like Anthony beat out a double play ball, but Dodgers manager Dave Roberts challenged the call anyway. The call was upheld and Anthony took second on a wild pitch. Bregman walked to load the bases but Duran struck out swinging to end the inning.

Aroldis Chapman for whatever reason was brought in to pitch the top of the eighth inning and Rojas walked to start. Mr. Mookie walked but Ohtani flied out to left. Suddenly the trainers came out to check on Chapman and he left the game. Uh oh.....Hyeseong Kim ran for Rojas as Jordan Hicks came in to pitch. Hernandez hit a bullet but right to Rafaela who drove on second base to double off Betts....safe. But wait! Sox manager Cora challenged the call and replays showed Betts was out, inning over. What a play by Rafaela.

                                                                 Its a game of inches

Story grounded out to third to start the bottom of the eighth and Rob Refsnyder pinch hit for Yoshida. Refsnyder got a base hit to left but Narvaez grounded into a double play to end the inning.

Hicks returned to close out the top of the ninth and Freeman struck out swinging to start. Pages grounded out to short but Conforto walked. Esteury Ruiz ran for Conforto and swiped second base. Edman grounded out to third to end the game. The Sox had won it 4-3.

                                                          Red sox win

Hero of The Night is Ceddanne Rafaela. His unassisted double play killed the Dodgers rally and kept the Sox on top.

                                                 "Ceddy ya sonovagun" - Cora

The Good:

Roman Anthony was 1 for 3 with an rbi, 2 runs scored and a hit by pitch.

Alex Bregman was 1 for 3 with a walk and a 2 run home run.

Rob Refsnyder singled as a pinch hitter.

Abraham Toro was 1 for 2 with a hit by pitch and a run scored.

Brennan Bernardino got the final out of the fifth inning.

Greg Weissert pitched a scoreless sixth inning.

Justin Wilson pitched a scoreless seventh inning.

Jordan Hicks earned his second save with 1 2/3 scoreless innings.

The Bad:

Masataka Yoshida was 0 for 3.

Carlos Narvaez was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

Wilyer Abreu was 0 for 3 with a strikeout.

Walker Buehler allowed 3 runs in just 4 1/3 innings off 4 hits and 5 walks.

The Ugly:

Jarren Duran was just 1 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

Trevor Story was 0 for 3 with a strikeout but drove in a run.

Aroldis Chapman retired just one of the three batters he faced.

Final Thoughts:

Reports were Aroldis Chapman was throwing up in the bullpen and dealt with a bad back, at least his arm is fine. Otherwise, the Sox pulled out a gutty win against the world champs. Alex Bregman got the big time home run but the warts are beginning to show. The Sox bats have been relatively silenced since the All-Star break with Story, Rafaela and pretty much everyone but Anthony and Bregman slumping. Not only that, the bullpen was depleted with Cora inexplicably pulling Buehler with one out to go in the fifth inning. With Chapman down, Cora can't be going April/May mode or else the bullpen is going to be gassed again. Still, a good win is a good win and the Sox earned this one. The win improved the Sox to 57-50, 6.5 games behind the Toronto Blue Jays for first place in the AL East. The Sox look to make it three in a row when they travel on the road to face the Twins tomorrow night. "Big" Dick Fitts (1-4, 4.86 ERA) takes on Simeon Woods-Richardson of Minnesota. The game begins at 7:40 PM Eastern time at Target Field.

Cubs Snap Streak, Drop Sox (7/18/25)

It was back to reality for the Boston Red Sox as their 10 game winning streak was snapped in pretty much the opening inning of today's game against the Chicago Cubs. Lucas Giolito (6-2, 3.59 ERA) walked the first two batters on 8 pitches nowhere close and grooved a three run homer to Seiya Suzuki. The Sox bats were silenced by Colin Rea and the Chicago bullpen who allowed just 1 measly run. The play of the game came in the top of the fifth when Abraham Toro was foolishly doubled off second on a routine pop up. The Cubs scored a run off Giolito in the bottom of the sixth and the Sox never got closer. The Cubs snapped the Sox win streak and took this game 4-1 at Wrigley Field.

                                                    "Are you kidding me Toro?" - CC

Rea got the ball in the top of the first inning and Jarren Duran took strike three to start. Alex Bregman flied out to left and Roman Anthony struck out swinging to end the inning. Giolito got the ball and walked both Michael Busch and Kyle Tucker on 8 pitches not even close. Seiya Suzuki then hit a 3 run home run all the way to Comiskey Park to essentially end the game right then and there. To add insult to injury, Pete Crow Armstrong hit a routine pop up that Duran failed to call for, and it dropped for a "double". Carson Kelly popped up to third, Ian Happ struck out swinging and Dansby Swanson flied out to center to end the inning but the Cubs were up 3-0

                                                                 That didn't take long

The Sox failed to respond in the top of the second inning as Carlos Narvaez struck out swinging to start. Wilyer Abreu drew a walk but Kyle Tucker made a great catch to rob Trevor Story of a hit. Marcelo Mayer lined out to center to end the inning. Nico Hoerner struck out swinging to start the bottom of the second before Matt Shaw flied out to center. Busch struck out swinging to end the inning. 

The Sox struck back in the top of the third as Ceddanne Rafaela grounded out to first to start. Abraham "El" Toro also grounded out to first but Duran walked. Bregman singled to right to move Duran to third and Anthony scored Jarren with a double to center. Narvaez struck out swinging to end the inning with the Sox down 3-1.

                                                     10 game hit streak for Anthony

Tucker flied out to center to start the top of the third but Suzuki got a base hit to left. PCA struck out swinging and Kelly flied out to Duran at the wall to end the inning. 

Abreu struck out swinging to open the top of the fourth and Story grounded out to third. Mayer dumped a base hit to left but Rafaela flied out to center to end the inning. Happ grounded out to third to start the bottom of the fourth and Swanson flied out to center. Hoerner lined out to right to end the inning.

The Sox blew a rally in the top of the fifth as El Toro got a base hit to right to start. Duran walked and Bregman hit a routine fly ball to center.....catching Toro asleep as he was doubled off second. Anthony walked but Narvaez forced him at second to end the inning. Not even little leaguers make that mistake that Toro did. 

                                                           "What an idiot" - PCA

Shaw got a base hit to center to start the bottom of the fifth and stole second as Busch took strike three. Narvaez was called on catcher's interference to move Shaw to second but Suzuki popped up to short. PCA struck out swinging to end the inning.

Caleb Thielbar came in to pitch the top of the sixth and Abreu took strike three to start. Story popped up to second and Mayer struck out swinging to end the inning. Kelly grounded out to third to start the bottom of the sixth but Happ doubled to right. That was it for Giolito who was at 98 pitches. He went 5 1/3 innings and allowed 4 runs off 5 hits and 2 walks. That first inning killed his chance at a win. Greg Weissert came in and promptly walked Swanson. Naturally Hoerner got a base hit to left to score Happ to ice the game. Shaw lined out to third and that was it for Weissert. Brennan Bernardino got Busch to ground out to first to end the inning with the Cubs up 4-1.

                                                           Not Giolito's day

Ryan Pressly came in to pitch the top of the seventh and Rafaela greeted him with a base hit to left. Toro forced Rafaela at second but Duran got a base hit to right to put the tying run at the plate. Bregman beat out a double play ball and old friend Drew Pomeranz came in to face Anthony. Roman lined out to right to end the inning. Tucker popped up to short to start the bottom of the seventh and Suzuki flied out to center. PCA flied out to center to end the inning.

Another old friend Brad Keller came in to pitch the top of the eighth and Masataka Yoshida pinch hit for Narvaez. Yoshida struck out swinging, Abreu grounded out to first and Story grounded out to Story to end the inning. Connor Wong took over behind the plate and Jorge Alcala came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth. Kelly walked to start but Happ took strike three. Alcala made a great play on a grounder by Swanson to rob him of a hit and Hoerner flied out to left to end the inning.

Daniel Palencia came in to close out the top of the ninth and Mayer got a base hit to right to start. Rafaela grounded into a double play and Toro flied out to right to end the game. The Cubs had won it 4-1.

                                                                    Cubs win

Jackass of The Night is Abraham Toro. Getting doubled off second on a routine fly ball is inexcusable.

                                                                Nice going, Jackass

The Good:

Jarren Duran was 1 for 2 with 2 walks and a run scored.

Roman Anthony was 1 for 3 with a walk and an rbi.

Marcelo Mayer was 2 for 4.

Brennan Bernardino tossed 1 1/3 scoreless innings.

Jorge Alcala pitched a scoreless eighth inning.

The Bad:

Carlos Narvaez was 0 for 3 with 2 strikeouts and an error.

Masataka Yoshida was 0 for 1 as a pinch hitter.

Trevor Story was 0 for 4.

Lucas Giolito took the loss allowing 4 runs in just 5 1/3 innings. He gave up 5 hits and 2 walks while striking out 6.

The Ugly:

Alex Bregman was just 1 for 4.

Wilyer Abreu was 0 for 3 with 2 strikeouts but walked.

Ceddanne Rafaela was just 1 for 4.

Greg Weissert allowed an inherited runner to score in just 1/3 of an inning.

Honorable Mention:

Connor Wong caught the bottom of the eighth.

Final Thoughts:

That was a reality check for sure for the Red Sox. It was if the 10 game streak never happened because this was April/May Sox in a nutshell. Another boneheaded blunder on the bases, not being able to hit in the clutch and a starter that can't go six innings. Giolito threw 98 pitches and had only gotten 13 outs, that's not going to cut it. Then there was Abraham Toro getting doubled off on second. Most little leaguers aren't that stupid and he managed to pull it off. The game was essentially over 3 batters into the first because the Sox just couldn't get the big hit when needed. The worst part is pitchers like Drew Pomeranz who hadn't been seen in four years and Brad Keller got the job done for the Cubs. Now the Sox have Shota Imanaga looming for tomorrow's game. This road trip coming out of the All-Star break is going to make or break them going into the trade deadline. Games like this just gives John Henry all the ammo in the world to tell Craig Breslow to sell off Arolids Chapman, Duran, etc. The loss dropped the Sox to 53-46, 4 games behind the Blue Jays for first place in the AL East. The Sox look to bounce back tomorrow night when Brayan Bello (6-3, 3.14 ERA) takes on Cubs ace Shota Imanaga. The game begins at 7:15 PM Eastern time at Wrigley Field.

Rafaela, Sox Walkoff Rays (7/11/25)

Before the game the Boston Red Sox made two roster moves. Alex Bregman was finally activated off the Injured List and returned to active duty tonight. Also activated for tonight's game was Hunter Dobbins. David Hamilton and Isaiah Campbell was sent down to Worcester to make room for them. Kudos to Isaiah Campbell for eating key innings on Wednesday night so the Sox bullpen could rest for last night's win. Hamilton will be back if and when someone is traded or hurt.

                                                                        OUT

                                                                        IN

As for the game, for most of it things looked like April & May. Starter Hunter Dobbins came off the injured list and lasted just 1 2/3 innings before being knocked out with a knee injury. Then in the top of the third, a two out error and a passed ball led to three unearned runs scoring to give the Rays a 4-1 lead. The Sox rallied in the bottom of the fourth for two runs but couldn't deliver the knockout blow. The Sox had chances to do it but failed each time. Then with one out in the ninth, Sox manager Alex Cora sent in Roman Anthony to pinch hit. Anthony walked and the red hot Ceddanne Rafaela mashed a a two run home run to win the game. The Sox had won their eighth game in a row and second straight over the Rays 5-4 at Fenway Park.

                                                8 in a row....ah ah ah

The Rays jumped on Dobbins in the top of the first inning as Yandy Diaz walked to start. Jonathan Aranda took strike three but Jake Mangum and Junior Caminero stroked back to back singles to load the bases. Josh Lowe beat out a double play ball to score Diaz and put the Rays up just 5 batters into the game. Taylor Walls struck out swinging to end the inning with the Rays up 1-0.

                                                           Caminero loads the bases

Rasmussen got the ball in the bottom of the first and Jarren Duran lined out to first to start. The returning Alex Bregman grounded out to third but Masataka Yoshida doubled to left. Carlos Narvaez grounded back to the mound to end the inning.

Things went south in the top of the second inning as Jose Caballero grounded out to second to start. Chandler Simpson hit a routine grounder to first but Dobbins fell down grabbing his knee and screaming after stepping on the back. Dobbins had to be carried out on a stretcher, loaded into an ambulance and rushed to Mass General's ICU. Jorge Alcala came in ice cold and Danny Jansen doubled to center only for Diaz to ground out to short to end the inning. The Sox had lost their starter just 2 innings into the game.

                                                          Dobbins is hurt

The Sox rallied in the bottom of the second as Wilyer Abreu got a base hit to center to start. Trevor Story walked but Marcelo Mayer struck out swinging. Abraham "El" Toro beat out a double play ball and Ceddanne Rafaela drilled a base hit to right to score Abreu. Duran flied out to center to end the inning with the game tied 1-1.

                                                        Rafaela drives in a run

Everything fell apart in the top of the third as Aranda doubled to left to start. Mangum got a base hit to left to move Aranda to third but Caminero popped up to first. Lowe popped up to first but Mangum stole second. Walls walked to load the bases and chase Alcala. Brennan Bernardino came in and Caballero hit a routine grounder to first.....booted by Toro for an error to score Aranda. Back to back passed balls on Narvaez scored both Mangum and Walls before Simpson walked. Jansen flied out to right to end the inning but the game was over with the Sox down 4-1 on 2 passed balls and an error.

                                                      Carlos couldn't catch a cold

The Sox rolled over in the bottom of the third with Joe Boyle now on the mound. Bregman took strike three, Yoshida flied out to left and Narvaez popped up to second to end the inning.

Diaz grounded out to second to begin the top of the fourth but Aranda got a base hit to left. Mangum flied out to right and Caminero struck out swinging to end the inning. The Sox suddenly rallied in in the bottom of the fourth as Abreu walked to start. Story got a base hit to right and Mayer doubled to center to score Abreu. El Toro made up for his error by grounding out to second to score Story, moving Mayer to third. Naturally Rafaela hit a bullet right to Walls, who doubled off Mayer to end the inning with the Sox down 4-3.

                                                           Mayer drives in a run

Lowe grounded out to second to start the top of the fifth before Walls grounded out to short. Caballero struck out swinging to end the inning. Duran popped up to second to start the bottom of the fifth before Bregman grounded out to third. Yoshida grounded out to short to end the inning.

Greg Weissert took over on the mound for the top of the sixth and Simpson doubled to center to start. Jansen struck out swinging but Simpson moved to third on the grounder to second by Diaz. Aranda popped up to short to end the inning. The Sox blew a rally in the bottom of the sixth as Narvaez walked to start. Abreu lined out to right but Story got a base hit to right. Mayer flied out to center and El Toro hit one up the elevator shaft to end the inning.

Justin Wilson came in to pitch the top of the seventh and Mangum walked to start. Caminero struck out swinging and Lowe forced Mangum at second. Walls got a base hit to left but Lowe was thrown out by Narvaez trying to steal third to end the inning. Kevin Kelly came in to pitch the bottom of the seventh and Rafaela grounded out to second to start. Durran grounded out to first but Bregman doubled to center. Yoshida grounded out to short to end the inning.

Jordan Hicks took over on the mound for the top of the eighth and Caminero grounded out to second to start. Simpson grounded out to second and Jansen took strike three to end the inning. Narvaez grounded back to the mound to begin the bottom of the eighth and Garrett Cleavinger was brought in to face Abreu. Sox manager Alex Cora countered by pinch hitting Rob Refsnyder. Refsnyder and Story both struck out swinging to end the inning.

Chris Murphy (2-0, 0.00 ERA) came in to pitch the top of the ninth and Story made an absolutely amazing catch and throw to rob Diaz of a hit to start. Aranda flied out to center and Mangum took strike three to end the inning. Pete Fairbanks came in to close out the bottom of the ninth and things looked bleak when Mayer grounded out to second to start. Then Cora made a bold move by sending in rookie Roman Anthony ice cold to pinch hit for El Toro. The gamble worked as Anthony walked and Rafaela mauled a walkoff two run bomb to win the game. The Sox had stunned the Rays 5-4.

                                                                    Sox win

Hero of The Night is obviously Ceddanne Rafaela. He drove in 3 runs including the walkoff home run to win the game.

                                                             Ice water veined Hero

The Good:

Wilyer Abreu was 1 for 2 with a walk and 2 runs scored.

Trevor Story was 2 for 3 with a walk and a run scored.

Roman Anthony walked and scored as a pinch hitter.

Brennan Bernardino tossed 2 1/3 scoreless innings.

Greg Weissert tossed a scoreless inning.

Justin Wilson pitched a scoreless inning.

Jordan Hicks pitched a scoreless eighth inning.

Chris Murphy got the win with a scoreless ninth inning.

The Bad:

Jarren Duran was 0 for 4.

Rob Refsnyder struck out as a pinch hitter.

The Ugly:

Alex Bregman was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout.

Masataka Yoshida was just 1 for 4.

Carlos Narvaez was 0 for 3 with 2 passed balls but drew a walk.

Marcelo Mayer was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but drove in a run.

Abraham Toro was 0 for 3 with an error but drove in a run.

Hunter Dobbins allowed a run in 1 2/3 innings before leaving with injury.

Jorge Alcala was charged with 3 earned runs but none of them were earned.

Final Thoughts:

Is it time to start believing in this team? After the Sox took 7 of 9 from the New York Yankees and the Rays, including the three game sweep, Fenway Park was rocking. Then the Sox traded Rafael Devers and after winning 3 of the next 4 games, they started their 1-8 slide. Now after winning 8 games in a row, Fenway is alive again. Beating up on bad teams is one thing, winning two in a row against a playoff position team like the Rays is another. Not only that, the Sox went into this series 2-32 when trailing after 7 innings and won both games in the later innings. Rafaela was snubbed for the All-Star game and he's put them on his back with Devers traded and Alex Bregman out until today. Someone had to step up and he did. Its unfortunate that Dobbins got hurt again but kudos to the bullpen to limit the damage. Because of El Toro's error and the two passed balls, all three runs allowed by Alcala were unearned. The bullpen essentially didn't allow an earned run after Dobbins left and it was a big part in the win. The much maligned Jordan Hicks pitching a clean inning with Weissert and Wilson overcoming men on base, the Sox had little margin for error and still found a way. The bad news was the Sox had to deplete their bullpen in tonight's game, the good news is Garrett Crochet is going tomorrow afternoon. Before the series started I wanted the Sox to take 3 out of 4 and tonight's game was the one I'd thought they'd lose. Instead, they've won the first two games and have Crochet and the rejuvenated Brayan Bello ready for the final two. A series sweep is a tall task but just got a little bit more believable. Can they not trade anyone please? Rumors are swirling about the San Diego Padres desperately wanting Jarren Duran and Aroldis Chapman is the most sought after reliever in baseball. If I was Craig Breslow, I'd be looking to deal some of the prospects for a second starter. If Dobbins' knee injury is serious, the Sox are looking at a rotation of Crochet, Giolito, Buehler, Bello and Fitts. Buehler and Fitts have been inconsistent and they need something more solid. Still, the team as it is now is rolling and it just got Bregman and Yoshida back. The Sox look to make it 9 in a row tomorrow afternoon when they send ace Garrett Crochet (9-4, 2.39 ERA) to the mound against Shane Baz of Tampa. The game begins at 4:10 PM at Fenway Park.

Giants Rally Past Sox (6/22/25)

Before the game the Boston Red Sox made a roster move. Hunter Dobbins was placed on the Injured List with an elbow strain and the Sox called up "Big" Dick Fitts to take his place. Hope Dobbins isn't out for too long.

                                                                    OUT

                                                                        IN

As for the game, what an unmitigated disaster by the Red Sox. The Sox looked like their April/May selves as they dropped the game and the series to the San Francisco Giants. The Giants took a 2-1 lead on Lucas Giolito and the Sox but home runs by Rob Refsnyder and Romy Gonzalez put the Sox on top. A pair of home runs by Casey Schmitt and Mike Yastrzemski tied the game but Ceddanne Rafaela homered in the top of the sixth. Then it all fell apart in the bottom of the seventh as a routine grounder by Yaz turned into a go-ahead run scoring error by Gonzalez. Heliot Ramos cracked a 2 run double off Greg Weissert to ice the game. Willy Adames hit a home run for good measure as the Giants beat the Red Sox 9-5 at Oracle Park.

Giants starter Robbie Ray got the ball in the top of the first inning and Rob Refsnyder grounded out to third to start. Roman Anthony walked but Romy Gonzalez struck out swinging. Carlos Narvaez got a base hit to left and Giants catcher Patrick Bailey failed to reach the mound on a routine throw, allowing Anthony to reach third. Jarren Duran popped up to Heliot Ramos who dropped the ball for an error, allowing Anthony to score. Trevor Story struck out swinging to end the inning with the Sox up 1-0.

                                                   "I got it, I got it....I don't got it" - Ramos

Giolito got the ball in the bottom of the first inning and Mike Yastrzemski grounded back to the mound to start. Rafael Devers struck out swinging on a high fastball and Ramos popped up to Nate Eaton at third to end the inning.

Abraham "El" Toro popped up to second to start the top of the second before Ceddanne Rafaela flied out to center. Nate Eaton beat out a hustle single after a great stab by Casey Schmitt but Refsnyder popped up to Yaz to end the inning. Wilmer Flores lined out to right to start the bottom of the second before Jung Hoo Lee popped up to third. Willy Adames struck out swinging to end the inning.

Anthony struck out swinging to start the top of the third and Gonzalez watched strike three go by. Narvaez struck out swinging to end the inning. Schmitt lashed a base hit to left to start the bottom of the third and Duran ran into Eaton on a pop up by Patrick Bailey for an error on Eaton. Tyler Fitzgerald moved the runners over with a sacrifice bunt but Yaz hit a bullet to Toro at first. Giolito fell asleep at the wheel and Devers walked on a pitch clock violation to load the bases. Ramos dumped a base hit to left to score Schmitt and Bailey but Devers was caught in a rundown by Eaton to end the inning with the Giants up 2-1.

                                                          Giants take the lead

Duran flied out to left to start the top of the fourth before Story struck out swinging. Toro got a base hit to center but was thrown out at home on a Rafaela double to right to end the inning. Flores walked to start the bottom of the fourth but Lee flied out to left. Adames grounded into a double play to end the inning.

The Sox struck back in the top of the fifth as Eaton singled to center to start. Refsnyder belted his 5th home run of the season to put the Sox on top. Anthony struck out swinging but Gonzalez pounded his second home run of the season to increase the lead. Narvaez doubled to center but Duran flied out to center. Story flied out to right to end the inning with the Sox ahead 4-2.

                                                        Gonzalez gets the Wally head

The lead lasted 8 seconds in the bottom of the fifth as Schmitt hit a home run all the way to San Diego to start. Bailey took strike three and Fitzgerald flied out to left, but Yaz hit a home run into the Pacific Ocean to tie the game. Devers flied out to center to end the inning with the game tied 4-4.

                                                           Yaz ties it up

The Sox took the lead in the top of the sixth against Spencer Bivens. Toro grounded out to first but Rafaela crushed his eighth home run of the season to put the Sox back on top. Eaton took strike three and Refsnyder grounded out to third to end the inning with the Sox ahead 5-4.

                                                             Rafaela gets the lead back

Giolito returned for one final inning in the bottom of the sixth as Ramos struck out swinging to start. Flores went down hacking and Lee grounded out to short to end the inning. That was it for Giolito who tossed 6 innings allowing 4 runs on 4 hits and 2 walks.

                                                     Not great but left with the lead

Erik Miller came in to pitch the top of the seventh and Anthony grounded back to the mound to start. Gonzalez walked but Narvaez flied out to center. Gonzalez got picked off to end the inning. Suddenly the Giants erupted against Greg Weissert in the bottom of the seventh and Adames singled to left to start. Schmitt doubled to right but Bailey grounded back to the mound. Fitzgerald dropped down a safety squeeze bunt to score Adames to tie the game despite getting thrown out at first. That was it for Weissert as Justin Wilson came in. Yaz hit a routine grounder to Gonzalez who booted it for an error to score Schmitt with the go-ahead run. Devers got a base hit to right and Ramos doubled home both runners to ice the game. That was it for Wilson as Zack Kelly got Flores to fly out to right to end the inning with the Giants up 8-5.

                                                              Giants take the lead

Tyler Rogers came in to pitch the top of the eighth and the Sox lost their cool. Duran looked like he had a double when he slid into second base on a line drive to right, but was called out. The Sox challenged and replays showed he beat the tag.....but inexplicably the call was upheld. Both Duran and Cora chased second base umpire Doug Eddings around the infield throwing whatever they could find at him, both getting ejected. Story grounded back to the mound but Toro got a base hit to center which would have scored Duran. Rafaela struck out swinging to end the inning.

                                            "Yeah him, that umpire there. He SUCKS" - Cora

Marcelo Mayer took over for Duran for the bottom of the eighth and Lee flied out to center to start. Adames hit a home run all the way to New Zealand to increase the lead. Schmitt got a base hit to right and Bailey got a base hit to center. Fitzgerald beat out a double play ball and Yaz flied out to left to end the inning with the Giants up 9-5.

                                                             Adames with another home run

Randy Rodriguez came in to pitch the top of the ninth and Hamilton took strike three to start. Refsnyder got a base hit to left and Anthony walked. Wilyer Abreu punch hit for Gonzalez and Abreu popped up to third. Narvaez struck out swinging to end the game. The Giants had won it 9-5.

                                                             Giants win

Jackass of the Night is Romy Gonzalez. His error led to the Giants scoring 4 runs and putting the game away.

                                                          Nice error Jackass

The Good:

Rob Refsnyder was 2 for 5 with a 2 run home run.

Carlos Narvaez was 2 for 5.

Abraham Toro was 2 for 4.

Ceddanne Rafaela was 2 for 4 with an rbi and a run scored.

Nate Eaton was 2 for 3 with a run scored.

The Bad:

Wilyer Abreu was 0 for 1 at the plate.

Trevor Story was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

David Hamilton struck out as a pinch hitter.

Greg Weissert took the loss by allowing 2 runs in just 2/3 of an inning.

Justin Wilson was charged with 2 runs without getting an out.

Zack Kelly allowed 2 inherited runners to score and one of his own in 1 1/3 innings.

The Ugly:

Roman Anthony was 0 for 3 with a strikeout but walked twice and scored a run.

Jarren Duran was just 1 for 4 with an error before he was ejected.

Lucas Giolito allowed 4 runs in just 6 innings but only 2 were earned. He allowed 4 hits and 2 walks.

Honorable Mention:

Marcelo Mayer played third base in the bottom of the eighth.

Final Thoughts:

The key to the game was the Sox once again went 0 for 6 with runners in scoring position and leaving 8 men on base. The April/May Sox returned with a comedy of errors and failing to hit in the clutch. Only 4 of the 9 runs were earned and this was an unmitigated disaster. Duran was safe at second but him getting called out is a microcosm of this season where nothing goes right. For the first time since the Devers trade, the trade isn't looking too good since the Sox bats couldn't get a clutch hit. Maybe Devers gets one if he was here, who knows. The Sox have a chance to shake it off in the next week or so but could be getting ready to sell if they get their brains beat in. Giolito deserved better than this garbage effort by the defense. The Sox aren't going to beat the New York Yankees and Toronto Blue Jays by booting the ball around like a little league team. The loss dropped the Sox to 40-39, 6 games behind the Yankees for first place in the AL East. The Sox now travel to Anaheim for a set with the Los Angeles Angels. Walker Buehler takes the ball against John Kochanowicz of the Angels. The game begins at 9:38 PM Eastern time at Angel Stadium.

Devers Traded, Sox Blank Mariners (6/16/25)

Just 3 hours after yesterday's win over the New York Yankees, the Boston Red Sox made one of the most shocking trades of all time. All-Star third baseman Rafael Devers was traded to the San Francisco Giants in what was clearly a salary dump. Devers and his $250 million dollar contract were sent to the Giants for 28 year old right handed pitcher Jordan Hicks, 23 year old left handed pitcher Kyle Harrison, 22 year old outfield prospect James Tibbs and 20 year old right handed pitcher Jose Bello. Harrison was immediately sent to Worcester while Zach Pendrod was designated for assignment to make room for him on the 40 man. Nate Eaton was recalled from Worcester to temporarily take Devers' spot.

Devers was hitting .272 with 15 home runs and had driven in 58 runs at the time of the trade. He had 215 career home runs and 696 rbis and was borderline hall of fame player already. He'll definitely be missed by the fans. 

So who did the Sox get in return? Jordan Hicks has been a mediocre pitcher his whole career going 16-33 with a 4.23 ERA with the St. Louis Cardinals, Toronto Blue Jays and the Giants. He was 1-5 with a 6.47 ERA this season and at 28, is definitely not the guy you want in a stretch run. 

Kyle Harrison was a 3rd round pick by the Giants back in 2020 out of high school and was perfectly mediocre since he made his ML debut in 2023. Last year he was 7-7 with a 4.56 ERA in 23 starts and was 1-1 with a 4.56 ERA in 8 games this year. He's a .500 pitcher and it doesn't look like he'll be anything else moving forward. He could be the next Nick Pivetta at best.

James Tibbs was the Giants first round pick 13th overall last year out of Florida State University. He was hitting .245 with 12 home runs and 32 rbis for the Eugene Emeralds in High A this year. Only one problem....he hits lefty. The Sox have way too many lefty hitting outfielders as it is, but then again, he won't be ready for a year or two anyway. At least he's hitting better than Yophery Rodriguez, the kid they got in the Quinn Priester trade.

Jose Bello is a 20 year old Dominican kid who's allowed 4 runs in 18 innings for the rookie Giants. He might be a prospect, he might not be. Either way, he's not going to contribute to this year's team at all.

So now for the big question, why? Why do this? It all goes back to spring training when Devers wasn't happy about the Alex Bregman signing and the Sox front office telling Devers to step aside for him. Then when Triston Casas went down, they asked Devers to play first base for the first time in his career and he outright refused. Sox owner John Henry met with Devers personally in Kansas City last month and apparently that didn't go well. Rumors are the final straw was Devers not running out that grounder against Tampa Bay last week. There's two ways to look at this, the cynical way is the Sox once again traded a franchise player for virtually nothing just like Mookie Betts. This might backfire big time and send the Sox in a tailspin with Casas out for the season and Bregman & Abreu on the Injured List. The Sox traded the last man standing of the 108 win World Series Champion 2018 Red Sox that should have been a dynasty if it wasn't for John Henry's sudden penny pinching ever since. Now the other way to look at it was Devers was a malcontent that didn't want to do what was best for the team. With so many rookies playing, you don't want someone like that set an example the rest might pick up on. After all, Jon Lester and Clay Buchholz both regressed in 2011 when Josh Beckett stopped giving a damn. They also just freed up the DH spot for Alex Bregman when he comes back and they're going to keep Kristian Campbell and Marcelo Mayer in the lineup. They still have one more move to make in the outfield, but this frees up $250 million and gets rid of a malcontent....if you look at it that way. The bottom line was Devers' days were numbered when he told the front office to go pleasure themselves and Sox GM Craig Breslow showed who was the boss for better or worse. Its a shame the Red Sox self destructed the 2018 team, and that's how you go 86 years without a ring.

                                                                OUT

                                                                     IN

As for the game, the Red Sox offense were held to just 4 hits and 2 measly runs by Logan Gilbert and the Seattle Mariners. The good news was Lucas Giolito (3-1, 4.73 ERA) was up to the task, blanking the Mariners for 6 innings while allowing just 3 hits. Roman Anthony belted his first career home run in the first inning to put the Sox ahead and Abraham Toro drove in a run in the top of the third for the only offense of the game. The trio of Justin Wilson, Greg Weissert and Aroldis Chapman pitched in to slam the door on the Mariners. The Sox had won their 6th straight game by beating Seattle 2-0 at T-Mobile Park.

                                                           JJ Spaun approves of the win

The Sox wasted no time getting to Gilbert in the top of the first inning as Jarren Duran struck out swinging to start. Abraham "El" Toro popped up to short but Roman Anthony clobbered his first career home run to put Boston on top. Carlos Narvaez struck out swinging to end the inning with the Sox up 1-0.

                                                                 1st career for Roman

Giolito got the ball in the bottom of the first inning and JP Crawford walked to start. Julio Rodriguez grounded into a double play and Cal Raleigh flied out to center to end the inning.

Marcelo Mayer grounded out to first to start the top of the second before Trevor Story struck out swinging. David Hamilton popped up to second to end the inning. Jorge Polanco struck out swinging to start the bottom of the second before Randy Arozarena lined out to center. Rowdy "Roddy" Tellez struck out swinging to end the inning.

Ceddanne Rafaela struck out swinging to open the top of the third before Kristian Campbell watched strike three go by. Duran tripled into the right field corner and El Toro beat out a grounder to second to score Jarren to increase the lead. Anthony struck out swinging to end the inning with the Sox up 2-0.

                                                          Toro drives in a run

Giolito ran into trouble in the bottom of the third as Dominic Canzone got a base hit to left to start. Ben Williamson also dropped a base hit to left and Cole Young ripped a base hit to left to load the bases with nobody out. Somehow Crawford struck out swinging, Rodriguez also went down hacking, and Raleigh also struck out swinging to end the inning. Giolito pulled the Houdini for sure.

Narvaez flied out to left to start the top of the fourth before Mayer struck out swinging. Story walked and Hamilton struck out swinging to end the inning. Polanco popped up to second to start the bottom of the fourth before Arozarena struck out swinging. Tellez hit one up the elevator shaft to end the inning.

Duran struck out swinging to start the top of the fifth before Campbell took strike three. Rafaela flied out to center to end the inning. Young struck out swinging to start the bottom of the fifth before Williamson took strike three. Young struck out swinging to end the inning.

Old friend Eduard Bazardo came in to pitch the top of the sixth and El Toro walked to start. Anthony flied out to left and Narvaez grounded into a double play to end the inning. Giolito returned for one final inning in the bottom of the sixth and Raleigh grounded out to second to start. Rodriguez struck out swinging and Crawford struck out swinging. Crawford struck out swinging to end the inning. Giolito utterly dominated the Mariners going 6 innings while allowing just 3 hits and a walk.

                                                               Giolito gets it done

Zach Pop came in to pitch the top of the seventh and Mayer grounded out to first to start. Story grounded out to short and Hamilton also grounded out to short to end the inning. Justin Wilson came in to pitch the bottom of the seventh and Polanco got a base hit inside the bag at third to start. Arozarena popped up to short and Dylan Moore pinch hit for Tellez. Polanco stole second and Moore drew a walk, but Canzone popped up to third. Williamson struck out swinging to end the inning.

Rafaela grounded out to second to start the top of the eighth before Campbell got a base hit to center. Trent Thornton came in to face Duran and Jarren flied out to center. El Toro struck out swinging to end the inning. Greg Weissert came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth and Young walked to start. Crawford walked as well but Rodriguez lined out to center. Raleigh struck out swinging and Polanco popped up to third to end the inning.

Anthony popped up to third to start the top of the ninth but Narvaez walked. Mayer struck out swinging and Story flied out to left to end the inning. The Sox had just 4 hits in the entire game. Aroldis Chapman came in to close out the bottom of the ninth and Arozarena struck out swinging to start. Moore went down hacking and Donovan Solano pinch hit for Canzone. Solano struck out swinging to end the game. The Sox had won their sixth game in a row 2-0.

                                                              Sox win

Hero of the Night is Lucas Giolito. He blanked the Mariners for 6 innings and struck out 10 batters.

                                                  Lucas Gio-Hero

The Good:

Abraham Toro was 1 for 3 with a walk and an rbi.

Kristian Campbell was 1 for 3.

Justin Wilson tossed a scoreless seventh inning.

Greg Weissert pitched a scoreless eighth inning.

Aroldis Chapman earned his 13th save with a scoreless ninth inning.

The Bad:

Marcelo Mayer was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

David Hamilton was 0 for 3 with a strikeout.

Ceddanne Rafaela was 0 for 3 with a strikeout.

The Ugly:

Jarren Duran was just 1 for 4 with 2 strikeouts but scored a run.

Roman Anthony was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but the one hit was a home run.

Carlos Narvaez was 0 for 3 with a strikeout but walked.

Trevor Story was 0 for 3 with a strikeout but walked.

Final Thoughts:

So even though the trade was yesterday, the fallout carried over to today when the Sox front office called a press conference. Sam Kennedy looked like a total fool saying "our record the last 25 years speaks for itself" when he wasn't even around then, Larry Lucchino was. Craig Breslow offered himself as a human shield saying "I think we'll win more games than we would have otherwise." In other words, he's banking his career on the Sox winning more games without Devers than they would with him. If they go into the tank, the Sox brass will just fire him like they did Chaim Bloom. Bottom line is the Sox charge the highest prices in the league for merch, tickets and beer yet trade or let go one star after another. Getting rid of a malcontent may help the clubhouse but why would future free agents sign here if they know the club cares more about who's the boss and making money than winning rings? As for the game, good win but the offense has totally evaporated since last week's loss in Tampa. Scoring 17 runs in 6 games isn't good but the pitching has been out of this world since that Tampa game as well. The Sox have a real power outage with Devers gone along with Alex Bregman, Wilyer Abreu and Triston Casas all out. Still, the pitching held up tonight but you can't expect to win every game 2-1 or 1-0. Still, Giolito looked good for the second start in a row and the Sox pitching has been on fire. Hope it stays that way. The win improved the Sox to 38-36, 5.5 games behind the New York Yankees in the AL East. The Sox look to make it seven wins in a row and two straight against Seattle tomorrow night when Walker Buehler (5-4, 5.01 ERA) looks to continue the hot streak against Bryan Woo of Seattle. The game begins at 9:40 PM Eastern time at T-Mobile Park.