2025 Rule 5 Draft Results (12/10/25)

Today the Rule 5 draft took place and while nothing happened in the Major League phase, the Boston Red Sox bid goodbye to some of their prospects while welcoming in new ones in the Minor League phase.The Texas Rangers scooped up right handed pitcher Jonathan Brand, the Tampa Bay Rays took right handed pitcher Alvaro Mejias, the Los Angeles Angels selected right handed pitcher Eybersson Polanco, the Chicago White Sox picked right handed pitcher Jedixson Paez and the Sox traded outfield prospect Justin Reimer to the Oakland A's for 28 year old relief pitcher Ryan Watson. The Sox themselves took 22 year old pitcher Caden Vire from the Milwaukee Brewers, 29 year old third baseman Matt Lloyd from the St. Louis Cardinals and 23 year old catcher Raudelis Martinez from the Tampa Bay Rays.

                                                                         OUT

                                                                           IN

So who did the Sox lose? Jonathan Brand was an 8th round pick in the 2022 draft out of Miami Ohio University who finished 2023 strong with the Salem Red Sox but didn't progress much after. In 2024 he was 2-3 with a 4.67 ERA and was 1-3 with a 3.48 ERA in 2025 for the Portland Sea Dogs. He allowed 4 runs without giving up an out for the Worcester Red Sox in his only game there. In February he'll be 26 years old and being above average in AA isn't going to cut it. Maybe the Texas Rangers can teach him something the Sox couldn't.

Alvaro Mejias was one of the Dominican Red Sox' best pitchers in 2022 going 1-1 with a 1.23 ERA in 8 starts but pitched in exactly one game the next three years. He turned 22 in September and hasn't pitched in exactly 17 games since 2021. This is a big crapshot by Tampa Bay Rays but they're a pitching factory. He'll probably be in the majors by 2028.

Eybersson Polanco came off Tommy John surgery to post a 4-5 record with a 5.23 ERA out of the bullpen for the Salem Red Sox in 2025. Just like Mejias, the Angels are banking on his arm being sound for 2026. With the influx of pitchers drafted by Breslow, Polanco became expendable. Good luck in Los Angeles.

The most well known name was Jedixson Paez as he was a 2021 Dominican grad. He was 5-5 with a 3.31 ERA in 2023 and went 5-4 with a respectable ERA in 2024 between Salem and the Greenville Drive. In 2025 he was 0-3 with a 2.79 ERA in 7 starts for Greenville. Just like Polanco, with the influx of pitchers coming in, Paez was expendable. He might pitch well in the Chicago White Sox system.

Justin Reimer was a 4th round pick back in 2023 for the Red Sox and hit .240 with 3 home runs for Greenville in 2024. This past season he hit .232 with home run in 76 games with Greenville before earning a call up to the Portland Sea Dogs. He went 4 for 18 in 6 games with Portland to end the season. He's clearly not a power hitter and might be destined to be a utility infielder. Hey, those guys need love too.

Now who did the Sox gain? Ryan Watson is a career minor leaguer that recently posted a 4-3 record with a 4.26 ERA for the Sacramento River Cats. Still, his numbers may be below average to mediocre, but keep in mind he was 39th round pick back in 2016. In comparison, the Red Sox took Jake Wilson with their 39th round pick and he shills golf equipment these days. If anything he'll be a veteran pitcher with the Worcester Red Sox to start 2025 if he's not cut in Spring Training.

Matthew Lloyd was a 15th round pick in 2019 by the Cincinnati Reds and he spent 2025 between AA and AAA. He did hit .272 with 8 home runs for the Memphis Redbirds but didn't get a call up to the St. Louis Cardinals. Kudos to him for hanging around, the Sox 15th round pick back in 2019, Aaron Roberts is playing for San Francisco State this season....6 years later. Maybe the Sox could sign HIM too.

The now 23 year old Raudelis Martinez defected from Cuba and signed with the Tampa Bay Rays prior to the 2021 season. He spent 2025 with the Bowling Green Hot Rods where he hit .239 with 4 home runs. Not exactly a big bopper but you're not going to get an all-star in the minor league phase of the Rule 5 Draft. You always need catching depth so let's see what he brings to the Portland Sea Dogs in 2026.

The 22 year old Caden Vire was drafted in the 12th round back in 2021 by the Milwaukee Brewers 11 picks after the Red Sox chose pitcher Christopher Troye. Quite frankly he's been completely horrible. He's pitched in 22 games since 2021 and has allowed 42 runs in 27 innings, 34 of them in rookie ball. Someone needs to remove the booze from the Red Sox scouting department if they see a guy who can't get anyone out in rookie ball and say "Ooooh we need that guy!"

Bottom line is apart from Paez, the Sox didn't exactly get raided. Apart from Watson and possibly Martinez, they didn't gain anything of worth also. Still, you never know. We might see Watson get a cup of coffee call up this year....god help us if that happens.

Sox Trade Grissom to Angels (12/9/25)

In the annals of time, the Chris Sale for Vaughn Grissom trade will go down as one of the most lopsided in history. After 5 straight disappointing seasons, the Sox sent Sale to the Atlanta Braves for budding infielder Vaughn Grissom. Sale turned his career around to win the NL Cy Young Award in 2024 and looked on his way to a repeat before a broken rib ended his season in 2025. Grissom's career completely evaporated, leading to his trade today to the Los Angeles Angels for 2025 8th round draft pick, 21 year old outfielding prospect Isaiah Jackson.

                                                                                OUT

                                                                        IN

Grissom looked like a budding star with the Atlanta Braves as a 21 year old in 2022 and 2023 despite injuries. He hit .291 with 5 home runs in 41 games in 2022 but injuries derailed him in 2023 despite hitting .280 with 9 rbis in 23 games. In 2024 his career went down the toilet as he battled injuries all season batting just .190 with no home runs. In 2025 he hit 13 home runs and batted .270...for the Worcester Red Sox. The trade of Rafael Devers and the incompetence of Kristian Campbell wasn't enough for Grissom to earn one call up during the 2025 season. With Campbell expected to earn a second chance and Ceddanne Rafaela another possible candidate at second base next season, the guy traded for Chris Sale became expendable. What a waste.

                                    Traded Chris Sale for an above average AAA player

So who did the Sox get in return? Isaiah Jackson was taken in the 8th round of this past MLB draft 9 picks before the Sox took pitcher Dylan Brown. He hit .310 with 18 home runs for Arizona State before getting taken by the Angels and he hit .219 with 1 home run in 32 games with the Tri City Dust Devils. After the Sox traded James "Leroy Jethro" Tibbs to the Dodgers for Dustin May (another wasted trade), the Sox needed more outfield help in the minors. Jackson might be that guy when he makes his 2026 debut with the Salem Ridge Yaks. Still, the Sox essentially traded Chris Sale for 31 games of Vaughn Grissom and an 8th round pick in the 2025 draft. God help us.

                                                    "Jokes on you, Boston" - Chris Sale

Sox Trade Password & Travieso To Pirates (12/4/25)

For the second time in two weeks the Boston Red Sox traded futures for pitching depth. The Sox traded 22 year old outfield prospect Jhostynxon Garcia and 18 year old flamethrower Jesus Travieso to the Pittsburgh Pirates for 27 year old reclamation project Johan Oviedo, 26 year old relief pitcher Tyler Samaniego and 22 year old (happy birthday by the way) catching prospect Adonys Guzman. To make room on the 40 man roster for Oviedo, Cooper Criswell was designated for assignment.

                                                                            OUT

                                                                              IN

So who did the Red Sox give up? Travieso is an 18 year old Dominican kid signed last January that can hit 100 on the gun. He was 2-0 with a 3.51 ERA in 6 starts with the Salem Red So....Ridge Yaks (really?) to end the season. 

As we all know, Garcia was nicknamed The Password and he blew the ranks this past season. He started the season with the Portland Sea Dogs before being called up to the Worcester Red Sox. Then mainly due to injuries and an anemic offense, he made his ML debut on August 22nd. He was just 1 for 7 in 5 games but having a 22 (23 next week) year old outfield prospect ON TOP of Wilyer Abreu and Roman Anthony was a good trade chip.

Unfortunately they wasted that chip on Johan Oviedo. Oviedo was perfectly mediocre in 2023 going 9-14 with a 4.31 ERA in 32 starts....then had Tommy John surgery and missed the 2024 season. He finished 2-1 with a 3.57 ERA down the stretch in 9 starts for the Pirates so it looks like he's healthy again. Problem is, he'll be 28 years old on Opening Day and at best he's a number 3 starter like Brayan Bello. If this is the Sox answer at #2 they're rolling a D20 and expecting a 20.

Tyler Samaniego is a 26 year old Double A reliever who posted a 3.08 ERA in Altoona this year and 3.57 last year. Funny thing he was chosen with the 1st pick of the 15th round back in 2021 3 slots before the Sox took Peyton Green. If this guy isn't in AAA by 26 and Connelly Early is pitching in the MLB playoffs at 23, that's a bad sign.

Rounding out the trio is the birthday boy, now 22 year old catcher Adonys Guzman. He was chosen in the 5th round in this past draft out of Arizona University 4 slots before the Sox took Christian Foutch. Guzman played in just 1 game for the Bradenton Maurauders and is touted as a defensive first catcher.

All in all this looks like a bad trade if you're the Red Sox. The Password is not a guy you trade for a reclamation project. They already have Patrick Sandoval coming off TJ surgery, why did you trade for another injury risk? The rumor is they got the pitching depth for a future trade coming up. It makes sense as the Sox have five outfielders and only need three. Jarred Duran is as good as gone so if the Sox are still wheeling and dealing to get their number 2 starter, who knows what will happen next. Going into the season with 5 outfielders and a bunch of number 3 starters isn't ideal. If all this leads to Tarik Skubal, its all good.

Sox Trade Fitts, Clarke for Sonny Gray (11/25/25)

The Boston Red Sox made a shocking trade today, sending 2024 draft prospect Brandon Clarke and "Big" Dick Fitts to the St. Louis Cardinals for aging innings eating starting pitching Sonny Gray. The Cards also threw in 20 million to pay for half of Gray's 41 million dollar contract.

                                                                             OUT

                                                                          IN

So who did the Sox give up? Clarke was a flamethrower coming out of Junior College and allowed 1 run in 9 innings of Salem before disappointing in 11 starts for Greenville. Still, a 22 year old that can throw 100 is nothing to sneeze at. "Big" Dick Fitts was the centerpiece of the Alex Verdugo trade after the 2023 season and ended the 2024 season with promise, posting a 1.74 ERA in 4 starts. In 2025, Fitts battled injuries and ineffectiveness to post a 2-4 record with a 5.00 ERA in 10 starts. 

Meanwhile Sonny Gray was the unlikely ace of the 2013 Oakland A's playoff run after being drafted in 2011. Famously traded to the New York Yankees at the 2016 trade deadline, Gray flopped like a dead deer going 15-16 in 2 years in the Bronx. He did rebound in Cincinnati in 2019 going 11-8 with a 2.87 ERA and was 13-9 with a 3.84 ERA in 2024 for the St. Louis Cardinals. Last year he was perfectly mediocre, going 14-8 with a 4.28 ERA.

As with anything there's two way to look at this. The pessimist approach is the Sox just gave up two pitching prospects for an aging number 4 starter that's going to cost the Sox 20 million dollars in 2026. That's not the kind of guy you trade two prospects for. The Sox felt Lucas Giolito's arm couldn't hold up after he pretty much evaporated at the end of September so they're essentially replacing Gio with Gray. If that's Sox GM Craig Breslow's answer to number two, they're in trouble.

The glass half full is Gray has been durable for 24 starts or more every year of his career with the exception of 2016 in Oakland (not counting the shortened Covid season). If he's supposed to be their number 4 behind Garrett Crochet, the REAL number 2 and Brayan Bello, at least they'll get their innings eater. 

Bottom line is the Sox paid 20 million for Sonny Gray a week after penny pinching their relief pitchers last week. They could have had just rolled the dice on Kutter Crawford or Patrick Sandoval but Gray is a proven starter. If this is their Nick Pivetta next season, they BETTER get a number two. The Detroit Tigers say Tarik Skubal is available so Breslow should be doing his best to get him.

Red Sox Make Roster Moves (11/18/25)

Just when you thought the off-season was going to be actually good for the Boston Red Sox after making the playoffs for the first time in four seasons, the front office reminded the fans that its all about money. The Sox made a bevy of roster moves not to improve the team, but to clear payroll. Let's get to the roster moves.

                                                                                 OUT

                                                                           IN

First and foremost, the Sox traded lefty Brennan Bernardino to the Colorado Rockies for 26 year old Albuquerque Isotopes centerfielder Braiden Ward. Ward was taken in the 16th round four slots after the Sox chose BJ Vela in the 2021 draft. Ward played only 97 games between AA and AAA last year although he did hit a combined .290. He's a speedster that swiped 57 bags but more importantly to John Henry, he's cheap. Bernardino was due to make 775K this coming season and Ward being a 16th round pick, only signed for 125K. The Sox shed 650k by trading one of their most dependable relievers for a triple A outfielder with no power.

But wait there's more! Another of the 2021 draft class bites the dust for the Boston Red Sox as they have traded Luis Guerrero to the Tampa Bay Rays for 29 year old utility infielder Tristan Gray. To make room for Gray on the 40 man roster, the Sox designated Nathaniel Lowe for assignment. Lowe was due 12 million this season and Guerrero was due 760K. Now Gray will make 820K this season but the real win for Henry was dumping Lowe's contract. So far that's 12.59 million saved.

Next up, the Red Sox traded relief pitcher Chris Murphy to the Chicago White Sox for 21 year old Single A catcher Ronny Hernandez. Hernandez hit just .251 with 4 home runs for the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers. Murphy was due 820K this coming season while Hernandez was a Dominican teenage signing back in 2022. Just for arguments sake lets say he makes 125K. That's another 700K saved bringing us to 13.29 million.

In a minor league deal, the Sox traded right handed pitching prospect Alex Hoppe to the Seattle Mariners for their 14th round pick in last year's draft, 22 year old Luke Heyman. Heyman didn't even play in rookie ball last year but supposedly has a good power bat. Hoppe was due to make 820K this season while Heyman signed for 230K. That's another 590K saved bringing us to 13.88 million.

Also, relief pitcher Josh Winckowski was designated for assignment to make room for three more guys. Winckowski was making 760K as well. so that brings it to 14.64 total saved.

Added to the 40 man roster was 2020 5th round pick left handed pitcher Shane Drohan. 2021 19th round pick right handed pitcher Tyler Uberstine and 24 year old right handed pitcher David Sandlin. None of them are projected to make the team out of spring training, this was mostly to protect them from the Rule 5 Draft coming up in December.

All in all this was a salary dump to clear out Bernardino, Guerrero, Murphy, Lowe and Winckowski. Gray is a utility infielder while Hernandez, Ward and Heyman are prospects. The glass half empty situation is this is Henry penny pinching to save money. Getting rid of proven players, especially Bernardino, just to save money is a sign of a bad franchise. The half full way to look at it is the Sox cleared out 14 million to use on other players. Bottom line is with Detroit dangling Tarik Skubal as trade bait, Pete Alonso, Alex Bregman, Kyle Tucker and Framber Valdez as free agents, the Sox better do something. They were a rash of injuries and a true second ace away from possibly winning the pennant despite everything that happened last year. The time to strike is NOW.

Schittler Dominates, Yankees Eliminate Sox (10/2/25)

The unfortunate 2025 season came to an end for the Boston Red Sox as they were eliminated by the New York Yankees in Game 4 of their 2025 Wild Card Series. Cam Schlittler, the local hero held the Sox scoreless for 8 innings, striking out 12 in the process. With Lucas Giolito out with a dead arm, the Sox turned to Connelly Early to get them to the next round. Thanks to shoddy defense and timely hitting by the Yankees, New York knocked early out with a four run rally in the fourth inning. That would be all the offense the Yankees would need with Schlittler earning a place in Yankees lore with the start for the ages. The Yankees knocked the Sox out of the playoffs with a 4-0 victory at Yankee Stadium.

                                                            It had to be HIM?

Schlittler got the ball in the top of the first inning and Jarren Duran lined out to second to start. Trevor Story popped up to first and it looked like the inning was over but Ben Rice dropped a pop up from Alex Bregman for a foul ball error. Didn't matter anyway as Bregman struck out swinging to end the inning. Early got the ball in the bottom of the first and he froze Trent Grisham for strike three to start. Aaron Judge flied out to right and Cody Bellinger grounded out to short to end the inning.

Masataka Yoshida got a base hit to left to start the top of the second but Ceddanne Rafaela struck out swinging. Nathaniel Lowe took strike three and Carlos Narvaez grounded out to short to end the inning. Giancarlo Stanton doubled to left to start the bottom of the second but Rice struck out swinging. Amed Rosario flied out to right and Jazz Chisholm Jr took strike three to end the inning.

Wilyer Abreu popped up to third to start the top of the third inning and Romy Gonzalez struck out swinging. Duran also went down hacking to end the inning. Anthony Volpe struck out swinging to open the bottom of the third before Austin Wells was frozen for strike three. Grisham singled to right but Judge grounded out to third to end the inning.

Story flied out to right to start the top of the fourth before Bregman flied out to right as well. Yoshida got a base hit to center but Rafaela grounded out to second to end the inning. The floodgates opened in the bottom of the fourth as Rafaela failed to catch a double by Bellinger to start. Stanton walked but Rice struck out swinging. Rosario got a base hit to left to score Bellinger and Chisholm got a base hit to right. Volpe got a base hit to right to score Stanton and Wells hit a routine grounder to first....booted for an error by Lowe to score both Rosario and Chisholm. Grisham flied out to right and Sox manager Alex Cora yanked Early for the analytical matchups. Early was let down by his defense as he allowed 4 runs in just 3 2/3 innings off 6 hits and a walk. Justin Slaten hit Judge with a pitch but Bellinger flied out to center to end the inning with the game all but over with the Sox down 4-0.

                                                      Early deserved better

Lowe tried to atone for his error with a base hit to center to start the top of the fifth but Narvaez struck out swinging. Abreu struck out swinging but Gonzalez singled to right. Duran struck out swinging to end the inning. Stanton flied out to center to start the bottom of the fifth and Rice flied out to center. Rosario struck out swinging to end the inning.

Ryan McMahon came in for Rosario to start the top of the sixth inning and Story singled to left. Bregman forced Story at second and Yoshida struck out swinging. Rafaela struck out swinging to end the inning. Steven Matz came in to pitch the bottom of the sixth and Chisholm singled to right to start. Volpe took strike three before Wells forced Jazz at second. Grisham popped up to third to end the inning.

Lowe flied out to right to start the top of the seventh before Narvaez hit one up the elevator shaft. Abreu struck out swinging to end the inning. Greg Weissert came in to pitch the bottom of the seventh and Judge flied out to right to start. Bellinger grounded out to first and Stanton grounded out to short to end the inning.

Schittler returned for the top of the eighth and Gonzalez struck out swinging to start. Duran popped up to third and Story grounded out to short to end the inning. Schlittler dominated the Sox, holding them to five hits while striking out 12 batters.

                                                             Tip your cap to Cam

Aroldis Chapman came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth and Paul Goldschmidt pinch hit for Rice. Goldschmidt singled to center but McMahon took strike three. Chisholm Jr took strike three and Volpe struck out swinging to end the inning.

David Bednar came in to close out the top of the ninth and Bregman walked to start. Yoshida forced Bregman at second before Rafaela struck out swinging. Lowe popped up to third to end the game. The Yankees had eliminated the Red Sox with a 4-0 win.

                                                             Yankees win

Jackass of The Night is Nathaniel Lowe. His two run error iced the game and he made the final out of the game.

                                                                 Nice job Jackass

The Good:

Masataka Yoshida was 2 for 4.

Romy Gonzalez was 1 for 3.

Justin Slaten tossed 1 1/3 scoreless innings.

Steven Matz tossed a scoreless inning.

Greg Weissert pitched a scoreless seventh inning.

Aroldis Chapman pitched a scoreless eighth inning.

The Bad:

Jarren Duran was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

Ceddanne Rafaela was 0 for 4 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts.

Carlos Narvaez was 0 for 3 with a strikeout.

Wilyer Abreu was 0 for 3 with 2 strikeouts.

Connelly Early took the loss allowing 4 runs (3 earned) in 3 2/3 innings off 6 hits and a walk.

The Ugly:

Trevor Story was just 1 for 4 and committed an error.

Alex Bregman was 0 for 3 with a strikeout but walked.

Final Thoughts:

And that's that. This season had more twists and turns than a roller coasted but it all comes crashing down in 3 games at Yankee Stadium. Too many injuries led to Alex Cora basically shooting his load in Game 2 and having nothing left for Game 3. Connelly Early was game but he never should have started. Too bad Lucas Giolito, Dick Fitts, Hunter Dobbins, Kutter Crawford and Tanner Houck were all out for the season and Dustin May & Walker Buehler were completely useless. The losses of Triston Casas and Roman Anthony for the season were also devastating but none more than the trade of Rafael Devers. Ironically the Sox best hitter after Anthony went down was Masataka Yoshida, its a shame his September and early October efforts went for naught. The Sox also wasted a once in a lifetime season by Aroldis Chapman and a damn good one by Garrett Whitlock. Alex Bregman has all but announced he's opting out of his contract so the Sox need to get TWO big bats in the off-season. With the current front office allergic to spending money, that might be a problem. If Giolito is gone, they're going to need a number 2 and number 3 starter because going into the season with Garrett Crochet, Brayan Bello and the previously mentioned pitchers isn't going to cut it. One of the reasons the Sox struggled all season is Alex Cora doesn't stress defense and it cost him the series. You'd think management would want to hold him accountable after 3 sub-par defensive seasons but they're too busy doing their Scrooge McDuck impression from all the sellouts in September while the Sox fought for the playoffs. Like I mentioned all season, this team had no brains but tons of heart. They played hard, they tried and they deserved better. The Sox have a lot of work to do in the off-season but if they get two big bats and a number 2 starter, they'd be right up there with the Yankees and Toronto Blue Jays. Speaking of the Blue Jays, if they beat the Yankees then all the work THEY did to win this series would be for naught. Still, the Sox need to concentrate on their own business if they want to bounce back in 2026. Hopefully ownership takes the leash of Craig Breslow and lets him spend. Otherwise we'll be right back here next year doing the exact same postmortem eulogy. Here's to 2026. 

Yankees Drop Whitlock, Sox in Game 2 (10/1/25)

Well the post-season dominance by the Boston Red Sox over the New York Yankees finally ended in Game 2 of the American League Wild Card Series. Facing a scared Brayan Bello, the Yankees got to the Sox bullpen and forced Sox manager Alex Cora to ride everyone for as long as they could. The Yankees scored two quick runs against Bello but Trevor Story got two back against Carlos Rodon. Jarren Dropped a catchable ball to allow the Yankees to score a third run but a Story home run tied it again. In the bottom of the eighth, an exhausted Garrett Whitlock coughed up an rbi single to Austin Wells, scoring Jazz Chisholm. The Yankees bullpen slammed the door after Rodon left the game to tie the series up with a 4-3 victory over the Red Sox at Yankee Stadium.

                                                               The final image

Rodon got the ball in the top of the first inning and Rob Refsnyder struck out swinging to start. Trevor Story struck out swinging and Alex Bregman flied out to left to end the inning. Bello got the ball in the bottom of the first and Trent Grisham flied out to left on the first pitch. Aaron Judge grounded out to third but Cody Bellinger got a base hit to right. Naturally Ben Rice hit a home run all the way to the moon to put the Yankees up. Giancarlo Stanton grounded out to short to end the inning but New York was up 2-0.

                                                              Yankees strike first again

The Sox rolled over and died in the top of the second as Romy Gonzalez flied out to right to start. Carlos Narvaez flied out to center and Nate Eaton struck out swinging to end the inning. Jazz Chisholm Jr flied out to center to start the bottom of the second but Austin Wells walked. Anthony Volpe grounded into a double play to end the inning.

The Sox rallied in the top of the third as Jarren Duran ripped a base it to center to start. Ceddanne Rafaela walked and Nick Sogard caught Rodon asleep with a bunt, with Carlos throwing it away for an error to load the bases. Refsnyder struck out swinging but Story lined a base hit to center to score Duran and Rafaela to tie the game. Bregman grounded into a double play to end the inning with the game tied 2-2.

                                                                  Story ties it

The Yankees finished off Bello in the bottom of the third as Ryan McMahon singled to right to start. Grisham forced McMahon at second but Judge ripped a base hit to center. Sox manager Alex Cora saw that Bello was a deer in the headlights and yanked him after just 2 2/3 innings and 2 runs allowed. Justin Wilson came in and Grisham stole third with Judge taking second on a passed ball. Bellinger flied out to left and Rice lined out to Eaton to end the inning.

                                                           So much for Bello

Gonzalez popped up to second to start the top of the fourth before Narvaez struck out swinging. Eaton got a base hit to right but Duran grounded out to second to end the inning. Stanton grounded out to short to start the bottom of the fourth before Chisholm popped up to first. Wells grounded out to third to end the inning.

Rafaela took strike three to begin the top of the fifth before Sogard lined out to left. Refsnyder flied out to right to end the inning. The Yankees struck back in the bottom of the fifth against Justin Slaten as Volpe flied out to center to start. McMahon grounded back to the mound but Grisham walked. A wild pitch moved Trent to second and Duran dropped a sinking liner by Judge to score Grisham to put the Yankees on top. Steven Matz came in to get Bellinger to ground out to third to end the inning with the Yankees up 3-2.

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

The lead lasted 8 seconds as Story smashed his first home run of the post-season to tie the game in the top of the sixth. Bregman walked on four pitches not even close but the Sox let him off the hook. On just two pitches, Gonzalez popped up to second and Narvaez grounded into a double play to end the inning with the game tied 3-3.

                                                           Story ties it again

Rice got a base hit down the third base line to start the bottom of the sixth but Stanton lined out to left. Chisholm struck out swinging but Wells got a base hit to left. Cora rolled the dice by bringing in Zack Kelly to face Volpe and somehow struck him out swinging to end the inning.

The Sox blew a rally in the top of the seventh as Eaton walked to start. A wild pitch moved Eaton to second and Duran was drilled to send Rodon to the showers. Fernando Cruz came in and Rafaela blew it by popping up the bunt to him. Sogard flied out to left and Masataka Yoshida pinch hit for Refsnyder. Yoshida beat out a roller past second but Eaton didn't even try for home to load the bases. Naturally Story flied out to the centerfield warning track to end the inning. Cora then put the game in the hands of his best pitchers available as Garrett Whitlock came in to pitch the bottom of the seventh. McMahon struck out swinging but Grisham doubled to right. Judge was frozen for strike three and Bellinger flied out to right to end the inning.

Devin Williams came in to pitch the top of the eighth and Bregman got a base hit to left to start. Cora then brought in Nathaniel Lowe to pinch hit for Gonzalez.....who grounded in to a double play. Narvaez struck out swinging to end the inning. The Yankees struck in the bottom of the eighth as Rice struck out swinging to start. Stanton grounded out to short but Chisholm walked. Wells dumped a base hit into the right field corner and Eaton failed to throw home in time, allowing Chisholm to score all the way from first. An exhausted Whitlock allowed a single to left by Volpe and a walk to McMahon to end his night after 47 pitches. Payton Tolle came in to make his post-season debut one month after making his ML debut with the bases loaded and got Grisham to ground out to second to end the inning with the Yankees up 4-3.

                                                               Yankees take the lead

David Bednar came in to close out the top of the ninth and Wilyer Abreu pinch hit for Eaton. Abreu struck out swinging, Duran took strike three right down the middle and Rafaela flied out to right to end the game. The Yankees had won it 4-3.

                                                         Yankees win

Jackass of the Night is Nate Eaton. He failed to score the go-ahead run for the Sox and failed to prevent the go-ahead run for the Yankees scoring.

                                                                Eaton Jackass

The Good:

Masataka Yoshida got a base hit in his only at-bat.

Trevor Story was 2 for 4 with 3 total rbis and a home run.

Alex Bregman was 1 for 3 with a walk.

Justin Wilson tossed 1 2/3 scoreless innings.

Steven Matz tossed a full scoreless inning.

Zack Kelly got the final out of the sixth inning.

Payton Tolle got the only man he faced out.

The Bad:

Rob Refsnyder was 0 for 3 with 2 strikeouts.

Romy Gonzalez was 0 for 3.

Nathaniel Lowe grounded into a double play in his only at-bat.

Carlos Narvaez was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

Wilyer Abreu struck out as a pinch hitter.

Nick Sogard was 0 for 2.

Brayan Bello crapped his pants allowing 2 runs in 2 2/3 innings, getting yanked after 4 hits and 2 walks.

Justin Slaten allowed a run in 2/3 of an inning.

Garrett Whitlock allowed a run in 1 2/3 innings of work to take the loss.

The Ugly:

Jarren Duran was 1 for 3 with a run scored but dropped a huge fly ball that turned into a run.

Ceddanne Rafaela was 0 for 3 with a strikeout but scored a run.

Final Thoughts:

Like I mentioned in Game 1, if that was it for the season, I'd be proud of this team. This game proved why they were frustrating to watch all season. With the game on the line, they couldn't get it done. Eaton not scoring in the seventh inning, not preventing the run in the 8th, Duran dropping the fly ball and on and on. The worst part was Cora pushed Whitlock as far as he could because he knows they're essentially screwed in Game 3. If he pulls Bello after 2 2/3 innings, what's he going to do when Connelly Early gets in trouble tomorrow night, a bullpen game? The only silver lining is they didn't use Arolids Chapman so he's available tonight. But good luck getting to him with all that's left is Greg Weissert after everyone else worked yesterday. If the Sox want to keep their season alive, they get a lead early for once. Playing from behind every game isn't sustainable. With Lucas Giolito out and Bello peeing down his leg, even if the Sox win Game 3, they have zero chance against Toronto on Saturday. But, there can't be a Saturday if they don't win tomorrow night. Cora will have to manage the game of his life if he wants to avoid elimination. The Sox look to keep their season alive in winner take all Game 3 tomorrow night. Connelly Early takes on fellow rookie Cam Schlittler. The game has been pushed back to 8:05 PM at Yankee Stadium.