Gray, Sox Bash Rockies (6/23/26)

Before the game the Boston Red Sox organization made some moves. The Worcester Red Sox signed 31 year old free agent catcher Andrew Knizner to a minor league deal. He was released 5 days ago by the Albuquerque Isotopes after hitting .279 with 10 home runs. The rumor is the Sox are looking to move on from either Mickey Gasper or Connor Wong and Andrew could be replacing one of them. Sox GM Craig Breslow must really HATE rookies if Nathan Hickey, Mikey Romero and Kristian Campbell can't crack THIS team. Also Cade Feeney, 2023 draft pick, chose to call it quits after allowing 29 runs between Portland and Worcester. He was coming off elbow surgery and apparently his arm wasn't responding It takes a man with great courage to admit when he's in over his head so kudos to Feeney for not wasting anyone's time. 

                                                                        OUT

                                                                        IN

As for the game, so THAT is what its like to beat a bad team. After getting completely embarrassed in last night's game against the Colorado Rockies, Sonny Gray (9-1, 2.95 ERA) made sure that wasn't going to happen tonight. Gray dazzled the Rockies holding them to just 1 run in 7 strong innings. Meanwhile the bats finally woke up against Rockies starter Sean Sullivan and reliever Zach Agnos. Wilyer Abreu set the tone with a first inning rbi triple and a Nate Eaton rbi in the second gave the Sox a multiple run lead. Willi Castro homered off Gray but Abreu answered with one against Sullivan. Eaton and Rafaela drove in runs against Agnos and Garrett Whitlock survived an Ezequiel Tovar home run to lock down the 5-2 win over the Rockies at Coors Field.

                                                            LA Knight approves of the win

The Sox wasted no time getting to Sullivan in the top of the first inning as Nate Eaton walked to start. Ceddanne Rafaela struck out swinging but Eaton stole second. Wilyer Abreu smacked a triple into the centerfield gap to score Eaton but Willson Contreras popped up to first. Jarren Duran popped up a bunt to second to end the inning with the Sox ahead 1-0.

                                                             Abreu with a big triple

Gray got the ball in the bottom of the first and Jake McCarthy walked to start. Mickey Moniak struck out swinging and Hunter Goodman did the same, but McCarthy stole second. TJ Rumfield flied out to left to end the inning.

Caleb Durbin lined out to Sullivan to start the top of the second but Andruw Monasterio walked. Connor Wong walked as well but naturally with a runner in scoring position, Anthony Seigler lined out to left. Eaton drilled a base hit to left and Monasterio scored easily but Wong was foolishly thrown out at third to end the inning. Still, the Sox now led 2-0.

                                                             Eaton drives in a run

Tyler Freeman struck out swinging to start the bottom of the second but Willi Castro hit a home run all the way to Utah to cut the lead. Troy Johnston blooped a double to center and Ezequiel Tovar moved him to third with a grounder back to Gray. Edouard Julien struck out swinging to end the inning with the Rockies down 2-1.

                                                            Castro hits one out

Rafaela hit one up the elevator shaft to start the top of the third but Abreu drew a walk. Abreu stole second and Contreras walked as well. Naturally with a runner in scoring position Duran took strike three and Durbin grounded out to third to end the inning. McCarthy grounded out to second to start the bottom of the third and Moniak struck out swinging. Goodman got a seeing eye single to right and Rumfield did the same.....and then Abreu threw the ball away for an error to allow both runners to advance. Freeman took strike three to end the inning.

Monasterio grounded out to third to start the top of the fourth and Wong lined out to center. Somehow Seigler got a base hit to right and Eaton followed with a double to left. Naturally with runners in scoring position Rafaela popped up to right on the first pitch to end the inning. Castro lined out to second to start the bottom of the fourth but Johnston got a base hit to left. Tovar and Julien both struck out swinging to end the inning.

The Sox struck again in the top of the fourth when Abreu bashed his 10th home run of the season to increase the lead. Contreras popped up to second, Duran struck out swinging and Durbin popped up to first to end the inning. The Sox were facing one of the worst pitchers in baseball and only led 3-1, pathetic. 

                                                           Abreu gets the Wally Head

McCarthy's bunt attempt to start the bottom of the fifth was snuffed out by Gray. Moniak lined out to right and Goodman took strike three to end the inning.

Zach Agnos came in to pitch the top of the sixth and Monasterio flied out to center to start. Wong lined out to third but Seigler got a base hit to center. A wild pitch moved Seigler to second and he scored on the Eaton double to left. Rafaela got a base hit to left to score Eaton with another run. Rafaela stole second but Abreu lined out to second to end the inning with the Sox up 5-1.

                                                              Rafaela aids the cause

Rumfield struck out swinging to start the bottom of the sixth and Freeman popped up to right. Castro walked but Johnston grounded out to second to end the inning.

Contreras grounded out to third to start the top of the seventh and Duran struck out swinging. Durbin got a base hit to center but Monasterio grounded out to second to end the inning. Gray returned for one final inning in the bottom of the seventh and Tovar flied out to left to start. Julien walked and McCarthy got a base hit to right to move Edouard to third. Moniak struck out swinging and Goodman forced McCarthy at second to end the inning. Gray was outstanding, holding the Rockies to just 1 run in 7 innings off 6 hits and 3 walks while striking out 11.

                                                        Gray was outstanding

Wong got a base hit to right to start the top of the eighth but was thrown out at second trying to steal. Seigler walked but Eaton lined out to left. Rafaela lined out to short to end the inning. Justin "Incinerator" Slaten came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth and  Rumfield got a base hit to left to start. Freeman grounded into a double play and Castro flied out to center to end the inning.

Juan Mejia came in to pitch the top of the ninth and Abreu grounded out to first to start. Contreras got a base hit to center but Duran lined out to third. Durbin forced Contreras at second to end the inning. Garrett "The Lock" Whitlock came in to close out the bottom of the ninth and Johnston grounded out to first to start. All of a sudden Tovar hit a home run all the way to Miami to cut the lead. Julien struck out swinging and McCarthy grounded out to first to end the game. The Sox had won it 5-2.

                                                              Sox win

Hero of The Night is Sonny Gray. He dazzled the Rockies by tossing 7 innings of one run ball striking out 11 batters while giving up 6 hits & 3 walks.

                                                               Sonny Hero

The Good:

Nate Eaton was 3 for 4 with a walk, 2 rbis, a stolen base and 2 runs scored.

Wilyer Abreu was 2 for 4 with a walk, a home run, a stolen base and 2 total rbis.

Connor Wong was 1 for 3 with a walk.

Anthony Seigler was 2 for 3 with a walk and a run scored.

Justin Slaten pitched a scoreless eighth inning.

The Bad:

Jarren Duran was 0 for 5 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts.

Garrett Whitlock allowed a run in the bottom of the ninth.

The Ugly:

Ceddanne Rafaela was just 1 for 5 but stole a abse and drove in a run.

Willson Contreras was just 1 for 4 with a walk.

Caleb Durbin was just 1 for 5.

Andruw Monasterio was 0 for 3 but walked and scored a run.

Final Thoughts:

Now that's more like it. Beating the Rockies is nothing to write home about but that's what they should be doing. Unlike last night, Sox manager Chad Tracy let Gray finish the seventh inning mostly due to using Garrett Whitlock and Aroldis Chapman last night. Gray dominated the Rockies and the Sox finally got some clutch hits. Who knew this would be the Anthony Seigler and Nate Eaton game but the Sox will definitely take it. With a team of utility players in the starting lineup, SOMEONE had to step up and better them than nobody at all. Romy Gonzalez is close to returning and if he can give the Sox what he did last year, that'll be a shot in the arm. The problem is they have enough utility players, they need some big bats to return. Unfortunately it doesn't look like Trevor Story, Triston Casas and Roman Anthony have any reason to return this year let alone the ability too. Its a shame, if they had those three guys and a healthy Garrett Crochet, they might have been more successful this season. Tracy may also want to dial it back on using Whitlock every game. This was the second game in a row he gave up big hits and his ERA is almost over 3. I understand Tracy wanted to lock this down but he needs to trust guys like Greg Weissert and Ryan Watson with four run ninth inning leads. Still a win is a win and this was a good one. The win improved the Sox to 32-45, good for last place in the AL East. The Sox look to take the series against Colorado tomorrow afternoon when Ranger Suarez (3-3, 2.93 ERA) takes on Kyle Freeland of the Rockies. The game begins at 3:10 PM eastern time at Coors Field.

Sox Lose Embarrassing Game To Rockies (6/22/26)

The 2026 Red Sox have officially hit rock bottom. Facing the worst team in baseball the Boston Red Sox held a 2-0 lead over the Colorado Rockies for seven easy innings. Jake Bennett tossed 6 shutout innings allowing just 4 hits and Tyron Guerrero pitched a clean seventh inning. Offensively once again the Sox did almost nothing apart from a sixth inning rally that produced two runs. Then it all fell apart as the Rockies got four straight hits against Garrett Whitlock in the eighth although they ran into two outs. Then the Rockies got four straight hits in the bottom of the ninth against Aroldis Chapman (0-3, 2.08 ERA) including a bases clearing triple by Jake McCarthy to win the game for Colorado. It was Chapman's first blown save all year and the Sox are now tied for the worst record in baseball as the Rockies stole this one 3-2 at Coors Field.

                                                           "This franchise blows"

Ryan Feltner got the ball in the top of the first inning and Mickey Gasper walked to start. Ceddanne Rafaela grounded into a double play but Wilyer Abreu walked. Willson Contreras flied out to right to end the inning. Bennett got the ball in the bottom of the first and Willi Castro flied out to left to start. Tyler Freeman flied out to left and TJ Rumfield struck out swinging to end the inning.

Jarren Duran grounded out to second to start the top of the second but the red hot Caleb Durbin doubled to left. Masataka Yoshida walked and naturally with a runner in scoring position, Anthony Seigler lined out to right. Also naturally with a runner in scoring position Marcelo Mayer grounded out to short on the first pitch to end the inning. Hunter Goodman hit one up the elevator shaft to start the bottom of the second and Cole Carrigg grounded out to short. Jake McCarthy struck out swinging to end the inning.

Gasper grounded out to short to start the top of the third and Rafaela grounded out to third. Abreu grounded out to first to end the inning. Braxton Fulford struck out swinging to start the bottom of the third but Kyle Karros got a base hit to left. Ezequiel Tovar lined out to center and Castro struck out swinging to end the inning.

Contreras flied out to right to start the top of the fourth and Duran popped up to short. Durbin struck out swinging to end the inning. Freeman got a base hit to right to start the bottom of the fourth but Rumfield grounded into a double play. Goodman struck out swinging to end the inning.

Yoshida grounded out to first to start the top of the fifth and Seigler struck out swinging. Mayer grounded out to third to end the inning. Carrigg struck out swinging to open the bottom of the fifth and McCarthy popped up to third. Fulford got a base hit to right and stole second, but Karros struck out swinging to end the inning.

Gasper grounded out to second to start the top of the sixth and Rafaela grounded out to second. Somehow Abreu beat out a roller to third and Contreras doubled to right to score him. Duran walked and Durbin got a base hit to left to score Contreras. Yoshida lined out to right to end the inning with the Sox up 2-0.

                                                       Durbin drives in a run

Tovar took strike three to start the bottom of the sixth and Castro did the same. Freman singled in the hole at short but Rumfield grounded out to short to end the inning. That was it for Bennett who tossed 6 shutout innings at just 72 pitches while striking out 9.

                                                           Bennett deserved better

Old pal Brennan Bernardino came in to pitch the top of the seventh and Andruw Monasterio pinch hit for Seigler. Monasterio flied out to center but Mayer doubled to center. Connor Wong pinch hit for Gasper and grounded out to first to move Mayer to third. Rafaela flied out to left to end the inning. Tyron Guerrero came in to pitch the bottom of the seventh and Goodman popped up to second to start. Carrigg flied out to right and McCarthy popped up a bunt to Guerrero to end the inning.

Victor Vodnik came in to pitch the top of the eighth and Abreu walked to start. Contreras hit a liner to second and Abreu was doubled off first. Duran grounded back to the mound to end the inning. Garrett "The Lock" Whitlock came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth and Troy Johnston pinch hit for Fulford. Johnston lined out to first and Eduoard Julien pinch hit for Karros. Julien got a base hit to center and Mickey Moniak pinch hit for Tovar. Moniak got a base hit to right and Castro got a base hit to center. Julien tried for home but was gunned down by Rafaela. Freeman got a base hit to right and Abreu gunned it home to prevent Moniak from scoring. Castro didn't see Moniak going back to third and got thrown out to end the inning. The Rockies got four hits and scored no runs, not even the Red Sox have done that this year.

Durbin walked to start the top of the ninth and moved to second on a grounder to first by Yoshida. Naturally with a runner on second Monasterio flied out to left although Durbin moved to third. Naturally with a runner on third, Mayer grounded back to the mound to end the inning. Aroldis Chapman came in to close out the bottom of the ninth and Rumfield got a base hit to left to start. Goodman got a base hit to left and Carrigg caught Durbin asleep with a bunt single to load the bases with nobody out. Naturally McCarthy hit a ball down the left field line that hit exactly the point in the wall where it would ricochet past Duran for a bases clearing triple to end the game. The Rockies had walked off the Sox 3-2.

                                                                 Rockies win

Jackass of the Night is Aroldis Chapman for allowing four straight hits and 3 runs to lose the game.

                                                                 Jackass Chapman
               

The Good:

Wilyer Abreu was 1 for 2 with 2 walks and a run scored.

Caleb Durbin was 2 for 3 with a walk and an rbi.

Jake Bennett tossed 6 shutout innings allowing just 4 hits while striking out 9.

Tyron Guerrero tossed a scoreless seventh inning.

Garrett Whitlock pitched a scoreless eighth inning.

The Bad:

Connor Wong was 0 for 1 at the plate.

Ceddanne Rafaela was 0 for 4.

Anthony Seigler was 0 for 2 with a strikeout.

Andruw Monasterio was 0 for 2.

The Ugly:

Mickey Gasper was 0 for 2 but walked.

Willson Contreras was just 1 for 4 but drove in a run and scored a run.

Jarren Duran was 0 for 3 but walked.

Masataka Yoshida was 0 for 3 but walked.

Marcelo Mayer was just 1 for 4.

Final Thoughts:

If the Red Sox had a competent owner, Craig Breslow would have been fired by now. It shouldn't have to come to protecting a lead in the ninth inning over the worst team in baseball if they had an offense that can get more than 2 runs against a pitcher with a 5+ ERA going in. Not to mention yanking Bennett after 72 pitches had the trickle effect of having to use Whitlock & Chapman rather than let him keep going. On top of that, someone on Twitter pointed out that once Wong went in the game, the Rockies hit damn near every pitch thrown by Whitlock & Chapman. The Sox scored just two runs against the worst team in baseball and got walked off with 8 straight hits by the worst team in baseball. Unfortunately when you have owners that are just counting gate receipts by World Cup fans and a GM that's been given a vote of confidence by the same owners, you know nothing will change. Chad Tracy will roll out the same lineups every night, yank starters early and go "golly gee willikers, we'll get em next time" when they lose just like former manager Alex Cora was doing. How do you let the same GM that let the team get this bad handle not only the draft next month but the trade deadline as well? He's blown 2 straight deadlines and the only reason people don't remember how bad 2024 was because they don't remember the season at all. With internal problems in the clubhouse, a lame duck manager, a GM who doesn't need to try and an owner that doesn't care about winning, you can't fix it. This is what the Sox are going to be until John Henry either croaks or sells the team. Once the World Cup is over and the Sox have sold off anyone with value, you'll be hearing pin drops at Fenway come August. The loss dropped the Sox to 31-45, good for last place in the AL East. The Sox look to lose another game to the worst team in baseball tomorrow night when Sonny Gray (8-1, 3.12 ERA) takes on Sean Sullivan of Colorado. The game begins at 8:40 PM eastern time at Coors Field.

Gilbert, Mariners Shut Down Sox (6/21/26)

Who needs momentum when you're the 2026 Boston Red Sox? After looking great the past two games, the Sox crashed down to Earth in today's loss to the Seattle Mariners. Logan Gilbert held the Sox to one measly run and just 3 hits in 6 1/3 innings. Meanwhile Payton Tolle (3-5, 3.08 ERA) tossed six solid innings but got tagged for 3 runs. Dominic Canzone homered for Seattle but Nate Eaton countered with an upper deck shot for Boston. Young and Canzone drove in runs against Tolle but the Sox bats went silent again. They had just 5 hits as a team as they dropped to 0-41 when trailing after 8 innings and 0-31 when trailing by multiple runs 3-1 at T-Mobile Park.

                                                               0-41 trailing after 8

Gilbert got the ball in the top of the first and Anthony Seigler took a 98 mph fastball right down the middle to start. Ceddanne Rafaela stuck his bat out and beat out a roller to second. Mickey Gasper popped up to first on the first pitch he saw but Rafaela swiped second. Willson Contreras swung and strike three in the dirt to end the inning. Tolle got the ball in the bottom of the first and JP Crawford lined out to first to start. Cal Raleigh popped up to first and Julio Rodriguez flied out to center to end the inning. 

Jarren Duran led off the top of the second with a grounder to first and Caleb Durbin struck out swinging. Marcelo Mayer also went down hacking to end the inning. Josh Naylor flied out to center to start the bottom of the second and Rob Refsnyder popped up to first. Dominic Canzone hit a home run all the way to Cuba to put the Mariners on top. Victor Robles took strike three to end the inning with the Mariners up 1-0.

                                                           Canzone hits one out

The Sox answered in the top of the third as Connor Wong grounded out to short to start. Somehow Nate Eaton pounded his first home run of the season to tie the game. Seigler flied out to center and Rafaela grounded back to the mound to end the inning with the game tied 1-1. 

                                                        Eaton ties it

Weston grounded out to short to begin the bottom of the third and Young grounded out to first. Crawford grounded out to short to end the inning. 

Gasper walked to start the top of the fourth but Contreras grounded into a double play. Duran struck out swinging to end the inning. Raleigh struck out swinging to start the bottom of the fourth but Rodriguez walked. Naylor walked but Refsnyder grounded into a double play to end the inning. 

Durbin blooped a base hit to left to start the top of the fifth but immediately got picked off. Mayer struck out swinging and Wong popped up to short to end the inning. The Mariners took command in the bottom of the fifth as Canzone lined out to right to start. Robles flied out to left but Weston got a base hit to left. Wesson stole second and scored on the Young base hit to left. Crawford caught the Sox asleep with a bunt single down the third base line but Raleigh forced him at second to end the inning with the Mariners up 2-1.

                                                            Seattle goes up for good

Eaton walked to start the top of the sixth and took second on a wild pitch. Seigler struck out swinging and Eaton ran all the way home on a liner to center by Rafaela, getting doubled off second to end the inning. Rodriguez got a base hit to center to start the bottom of the sixth but Naylor flied out to center but Mayer went OLE on a grounder by Refsnyder to put runners on the corners. Canzone grounded out to short to score Rodriguez to ice the game. Robles flied out to left to end the inning with the Mariners up 3-1. That was it for Tolle after just 79 pitches allowing 3 runs in 6 innings.

                                                            "How about some runs?" - PT

Luke Raley came in for Canzone to start the top of the seventh and Gasper hit a routine grounder to first. Naylor threw low and Gilbert fell down making the play for an error. Contreras struck out swinging and that was it for Gilbert. Gabe Speier came in to face Duran amd Jarren naturally struck out swinging. Durbin doubled to left and Andruw Monasterio pinch hit for Mayer. Naturally he struck out swinging to end the inning. Danny Coulolmbe came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth and Wilson grounded out to third to start. Young popped up to short but Crawford walked. Raleigh flied out to left to end the inning. 

Old pal Eduard Bazardo came in to pitch the top of the eighth and Masataka Yoshida pinch hit for Wong. Yoshida flied out to left, Eaton took strike three and Seigler grounded out to second to end the inning. Carlos Narvaez took over behind the plate with Ryan Watson now on the mound for the bottom of the eighth. Rodriguez lined out to first and Naylor struck out swinging. Colt Emerson pinch hit for Refsnyder and took strike three to end the inning. 

Andres Munoz came in to close out the top of the ninth and Rafaela flied out to right to start. Gasper got a base hit to right but Contreras struck out swinging. Duran struck out swinging to end the game. The Mariners had won it 3-1.

                                                              Mariners win

Jackass of The Night is Willson Contreras. He was 0 for 4 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts, leaving multiple men on base.

                                                       Jackass Contreras

The Good:

Mickey Gasper was 1 for 3 with a walk.

Caleb Durbin was 2 for 3.

Nate Eaton was 1 for 2 with a home run and a walk.

One of the rare times the losing pitcher ends up on the Good list but Payton Tolle tossed six solid innings allowing just 3 runs off 6 hits and 2 walks.

Danny Coulombe pitched a scoreless seventh inning.

Ryan Watson tossed a scoreless eighth inning.

The Bad:

Anthony Seigler was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

Jarren Duran was 0 for 4 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts.

Marcelo Mayer was 0 for 2 with 2 strikeouts.

Andruw Monasterio struck out as a pinch hitter.

Connor Wong was 0 for 2.

Masataka Yoshida was 0 for 1 as a pinch hitter.

The Ugly:

Ceddanne Rafaela was just 1 for 4.

Honorable Mention:

Carlos Narvaez caught the final two innings.

Final Thoughts:

The more things change, the more they stay the same. The Sox put together two competent wins in a row but fall flat in their face today. Granted, Logan Gilbert is damn good but the fact is they're putting out utility players such as Seigler, Eaton and Gasper in the every day lineup due to injuries and incompetence. The Sox can't possibly get any momentum going with their lack of offense. Until Sox GM Craig Breslow makes a trade or calls up someone like Kristian Campbell or Mikey Romero, they won't be a winner. Fans want to tell the whole team and who can blame them? Now it appears Willson Contreras is losing it mentally and its come out Carlos Narvaez hasn't been playing well because he's going through an embarrassing public breakup. Think Troy O'Leary in 2000. Its all adding up to a lost season and maybe the best thing Breslow can do is play for next year. Garrett Crochet & Ranger Suarez when healthy with another year of maturity from Connelly Early and Payton Tolle gives the Sox a four man punch that will be tough to beat. This year appears to be a washout a month out from the trade deadline. Do we event want Breslow to take charge of yet another rebuild? The loss dropped the Sox to 31-44, good for last place in the AL East. The Sox now travel to Colorado for a three game set with the equally terrible Rockies. Jake Bennett (1-3, 4.79 ERA) takes on Ryan Feltner of Colorado. The game begins tomorrow night at 8:40 PM eastern time at Coors Field.

Early, Sox Beat Mariners (6/20/26)

Before the game the Boston Red Sox made a roster move. Isiah Kiner-Falefa has been placed on the Injured List with forearm inflammation and the Sox called up Kristian Campbell to take his place.....just kidding. They called up Anthony Seigler and fans are throwing their hands up wondering what's the point of Campbell and Mikey Romero being in Worcester if they're not going to be used. Just more mismanagement by the management.

                                                                      OUT

                                                                       IN

As for the game, don't look now but the Boston Red Sox have won two in a row. They did it with clutch hits and timely pitching. Connelly Early (6-5, 3.64 ERA) bounced back from his recent struggles to shut down the Seattle Mariners. He hit 3 batters and walked two, but allowed just two hits and a run in six solid innings. After allowing a run in the first, the Sox took the lead on a 2 run home run by Wilyer Abreu in the fourth. Then the Sox rallied for three runs in the top of the sixth highlighted by clutch hits from the resurging Caleb Durbin and the much maligned Marcelo Mayer. A trio of relievers with Danny Coulombe being the final one slammed the door as the Sox took this one 6-1 at T-Mobile Park.

                                                 Poncho Woody approves of the win

Hancock got the ball in the top of the first inning and Anthony Seigler took strike three right down the middle to start. Masataka Yoshida flied out to right and Wilyer Abreu grounded out to second to end the inning. The Mariners got to Early in the bottom of the first as JP Crawford walked to start. Raleigh singled to left and Julio Rodriguez beat out a double play ball. Josh Naylor got a base hit to center to score Crawford, putting the Mariners up. Rodriguez was thrown out at third trying to steal and Rob Refsnyder grounded out to short to end the inning with the Mariners up 1-0.

                                                             Naylor drives in a run

As usual the Sox failed to respond in the top of the second as Willson Contreras flied out to center to start. Jarren Duran lined out to third and Caleb Durbin popped up to first to end the inning. Cole Young was plunked to start the bottom of the second and Mitch Garver took strike three. Connor Joe grounded into a double play. Colt Emerson struck out swinging to end the inning.

Marcelo Mayer took strike three to open the top of the third and Carlos Narvaez watched strike three go by. Nate Eaton struck out swinging to end the inning. Crawford flied out to left to start the bottom of the third and Raleigh walked. Rodriguez flied out to right and Naylor forced Raleigh at second to end the inning.

The Sox rallied in the top of the fourth as Seigler got a base hit to left to start. Yoshida took strike three right down the middle but Abreu blasted his ninth home run of the year to put the Sox on top. Contreras struck out swinging and Duran grounded back to the mound to end the inning with the Sox up 2-1.

                                                              Kiss that one goodbye

Refsnyder grounded out to short to start the bottom of the fourth and Young struck out swinging. Garver also went down hacking to end the inning.

Durbin got a base hit to left to start the top of the fifth but naturally Mayer grounded into a double play. Joe dropped a routine pop up by Narvaez for an error to put Carlos at second but Eaton popped up to first to end the inning. Joe struck out swinging to start the bottom of the fifth and Emerson did the same. Crawford flied out to center to end the inning.

Seigler grounded out to second to start the top of the sixth but Yoshida got a base hit to right. Yoshida stole second and Abreu walked before a wild pitch moved both runners over. Contreras walked to load the bases and chase Hancock from the game. Jose Ferrer came in to pitch and naturally Duran forced Yoshida at home. Somehow Ferrer bounced a wild pitch that scored Abreu to increase the lead. Durbin then beat out a roller to short to score Contreras and Mayer beat out a roller to second to score Duran. Durbin stole third but kept going and was thrown out at home to end the inning with the Sox up 5-1.

                                                             Durbin gets it done

Raleigh grounded out to short to start the bottom of the sixth but Rodriguez was plunked. Naylor struck out swinging but Rodriguez stole second. Refsnyder was also hit with a pitch but Young flied out to center to end the inning. That was it for Early who allowed just 1 run in 6 innings off 2 hits, 2 walks and 3 hit batsmen.

                                                            Early with the big lift

Nick Davila came in to pitch the top of the seventh and Narvaez walked to start. Eaton walked but Sox manager Chad Tracy refused to bunt, allowing Seigler to strike out swinging. Yoshida beat out a double play ball to put runners at the corners but Abreu flied out to center to end the inning. Tyron Guerrero came in to pitch the bottom of the seventh and Andruw Monasterio came in for Seigler. Luke Railey pinch hit for Garver and struck out swinging. Dominic Canzone pinch hit for Joe and lined out to second. Emerson struck out swinging to end the inning.

Michael Rucker came in to pitch the top of the eighth and he hit Contreras to start. Duran struck out swinging and Durbin forced Contreras at second. Durbin swiped second but Mayer struck out swinging to end the inning. Garrett "The Lock" Whitlock came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth and Crawford popped up to short to start. Raleigh struck out swinging and Rodriguez lined out to right to end the inning.

Former Sox prospect Alex Hoppe came in to pitch the top of the ninth and Narvaez struck out swinging to start. Eaton struck out swinging and Monasterio lined out to right to end the inning.

                                              Traded for a guy hitting .217 in Single A

Danny Coulombe came in to close out the bottom of the ninth and Naylor grounded out to second to start. Refsnyder lined out to center and Young popped up to short to end the game. The Sox had won it 5-1.

                                                                       Sox win

Hero of The Night is Connelly Early. He held the Mariners to just 1 run in 6 innings to get the win.

                                                             Connelly Hero

The Good:

Wilyer Abreu was 1 for 3 with a walk, 2 run homer and 2 total runs scored.

Willson Contreras walked, was hit with a pitch and scored a run.

Caleb Durbin was 2 for 4 with an rbi and 2 stolen bases.

Tyron Guerrero pitched a scoreless seventh inning.

Garrett Whitlock pitched a scoreless eighth inning.

Danny Coulombe pitched a scoreless ninth inning.

The Bad:

Andruw Monasterio was 0 for 1 at the plate.

The Ugly:

Anthony Seigler was just 1 for 4 with 2 strikeouts and an error but scored a run.

Masataka Yoshida was just 1 for 4 but stole a base.

Jarren Duran was 0 for 4 with a strikeout but scored a run.

Marcelo Mayer was just 1 for 4 with 2 strikeouts but drove in a run.

Carlos Narvaez was 0 for 3 with 2 strikeouts but walked.

Nate Eaton was 0 for 3 with 2 strikeouts but walked.

Final Thoughts:

Some day there will be a book written about the 2026 Red Sox season where they explain how the Sox are a completely different team on the road than at home. The pitching is good wherever they go but the offense has come alive in the last two games. Not just driving in runs but driving in runs with 2 outs and/or runners in scoring position. Both Durbin and Mayer both came through in the clutch and most fans thought the game was over when they were down 1-0. Abreu's two run shot and Early's strong start turned the tide in this one and the rest of the team pitched in. If word comes out that Craig Breslow has something to do with the Sox being terrible at home, he can't be fired fast enough. Fans are already talking about trading everyone in sight and the 35 year old Guerrero pumping in 101 on the black will turn some heads for sure. Still, if certain guys get healthy and certain guys stay hot, the season isn't over yet. A nice win streak would help. The win improved the Sox to 31-43, good for last place in the AL East. The Sox look to sweep the Mariners out of Seattle tomorrow afternoon when Peyton Tolle (3-4, 2.93 ERA) takes on Mariners ace Logan Gilbert. The game begins at 4:05 PM eastern time at T-Mobile Park.

Suarez, Sox Drop Mariners (6/19/26)

The Boston Red Sox may be awful this year but for whatever reason they play a lot better on the road. Ranger Suarez (3-3, 2.93 ERA) had a no-hitter through six innings and left after 6 2/3 shutout innings. Meanwhile the Sox bats woke up as Caleb Durbin belted a home run and Marcelo Mayer drove in three runs as well. Carlos Narvaez added a sac fly and Ceddanne Rafaela scored on a wild pitch to pace the offense. Suarez left the bases loaded but Justin Slaten escaped the seventh inning jam. Tommy Kahnle gave up a two run home run to Julio Rodriguez in the bottom of the ninth but suffered no further damage. The Red Sox had snapped their losing streak with a 6-2 victory over the Mariners at T-Mobile Park.

                                                     Alex Freeman approves of the win

Miller got the ball in the top of the first and Mickey Gasper flied out to left to start. Ceddanne Rafaela flied out to center and Wilyer Abreu did the same to end the inning. Suarez got the ball in the bottom of the first inning and old friend Rob Refsnyder grounded out to short to start. Cal Raleigh struck out swinging and Julio Rodriguez also went down hacking to end the inning.

The Sox struck first in the top of the second as Willson Contreras struck out swinging to start. Jarren Duran also struck out swinging but Caleb Durbin launched his fifth home run of the season to put Boston on top. Marcelo Mayer struck out swinging to end the inning with the Sox ahead 1-0.

                                                           Durbin does it again

Josh Naylor took strike three to start the bottom of the second and Dominic Canzone went down hacking. Cole Young grounded out to second to end the inning.

Carlos Narvaez struck out swinging to begin the top of the third but Andruw Monasterio singled to left. Gasper grounded into a double play to end the inning. Victor Robles flied out to center to start the bottom of the third and Colt Emerson grounded out to second. Weston Wilson flied out to left to end the inning.

Rafaela struck out swinging to start the top of the fourth but Abreu got a base hit to right. Abreu was thrown out at second trying to steal and Contreras grounded out to short to end the inning. Refsnyder grounded out to short to start the bottom of the fourth but Raleigh walked. Rodriguez took strike three and Naylor lined out to second to end the inning.

Duran struck out swinging to start the top of the fifth and Durbin did the same. Mayer grounded back to the mound to end the inning. Canzone grounded out to first to begin the bottom of the fifth and Young grounded out to second. Robles flied out to left to end the inning.

Luis Castillo came in to pitch the top of the sixth and Narvaez struck out swinging to start. Monasterio took strike three and Gasper flied out to left to end the inning. Emerson grounded out to third to start the bottom of the sixth and Wilson flied out to left. Refsnyder flied out to right to end the inning and Suarez had a no-hitter going.

Rafaela doubled to right to start the top of the seventh and moved to third on the Abreu liner to center. Somehow Castillo uncorked a wild pitch and Rafaela scored to increase the lead. Contreras got a base hit to center, Duran got a base hit to left and Durbin also got a base hit to left to load the bases. As usual Mayer....GOT A BASE HIT TO RIGHT! Canzone was so shocked Mayer did something he threw the ball away to allow both Contreras and Duran to score, moving the remaining runners over. Narvaez hit a sac fly to center to score Durbin but Monasterio flied out to right to end the inning with the Sox up 5-0.

                                                         Mayer drives in a run

Raleigh walked to start the bottom of the seventh but Rodriguez flied out to center. Naylor broke up the no-no with a double to the right field wall but Canzone grounded back to the mound. Young walked to load the bases and chase Suarez. Ranger ran out of gas but he tossed 6 2/3 innings allowing just one hit while walking three. Justin "Incinerator" Slaten came in to face pinch hitter JP Crawford and struck him out swinging to end the inning.

                                                         Outstanding start by Suarez

Connor Joe came in for Crawford to start the top of the eighth and Gasper grounded out to first to start. Rafaela struck out swinging and Abreu grounded out to first to end the inning. Greg Weissert came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth and Emerson lined out to short to start. Wilson grounded out to short and Refsnyder struck out swinging to end the inning.

The Sox struck again in the top of the ninth although Contreras flied out to right to start. Duran struck out swinging but Durbin doubled to center. Mayer doubled to left to score Durbin but Narvaez flied out to center to end the inning with the Sox up 6-0.

                                                          Another rbi from Mayer

Tommy Kahnle came in to close out the bottom of the ninth and Raleigh walked to start. Naturally Rodriguez belted a home run into the Pacific Ocean to cut the lead. Canzone struck out swinging and Young popped up to first to end the game. The Sox had won it 6-2.

Hero of The Night is Ranger Suarez. He allowed just 1 hit in 6 2/3 shutout innings while walking 3.

                                                                Hero Suarez

The Good:

Caleb Durbin was 3 for 4 with a home run and 3 total rbis.

Marcelo Mayer was 2 for 4 with 3 rbis.

Andruw Monasterio was 1 for 3.

Justin Slaten struck out the only batter he faced.

Greg Weissert pitched a scoreless eighth inning.

The Bad:

Mickey Gasper was 0 for 4.

Tommy Kahnle allowed a 2 run home run in the bottom of the ninth.

The Ugly:

Ceddanne Rafaela was just 1 for 4 with 2 strikeouts but scored a run.

Wilyer Abreu was just 1 for 4.

Willson Contreras was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but scored a run.

Jarren Duran was just 1 for 4 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts but scored a run.

Carlos Narvaez was 0 for 3 with 2 strikeouts but drove in a run.

Final Thoughts:

Why can't the Sox play the rest of their games on the road? They play a lot better for whatever reason. The sad part is THIS is what Sox GM Craig Breslow was hoping for with the young guns Mayer, Durbin and Narvaez driving in runs with Suarez pitching well. The sad part is Durbin's hot streak has his batting average at .203 and Duran is down to .210. Mayer is .222 and Narvaez is .202. That's pretty much four automatic outs and you can't win with that. Still, for one night the sophomores got it done. Suarez had a no-hitter going for 6 2/3 and if it wasn't for Kahnle, it would have been another shutout win. The rumors are swirling of who's going to get traded but winning cures everything. It would be nice to see them go on a win streak but they're allergic to momentum. The win improved the Sox to 30-43, good for last place in the AL East. The Sox look to make it two in row tomorrow night in Seattle when Connelly Early (5-5, 3.81 ERA) looks to get back on track against Emerson Hancock. The game begins at 10:10 PM at T-Mobile Park.

Jays Sweep Chapman, Sox (6/18/26)

Once again the Boston Red Sox found a new way to lose in 2026. The team that was winless when trailing by 3 runs and trailing after 8 innings remained that way as the Jays rallied late to drop them on their fourth straight loss. The Jays got to Sonny Gray for 3 runs in 7 innings while the Sox amounted nothing against Trey Yesavage the first six innings. The Sox scratched out a run in the bottom of the seventh and from out of nowhere got back to back jacks by Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Caleb Durbin to tie the game. Only for indomitable closer Aroldis Chapman (0-2, 0.83 ERA) to allow an rbi double by Brandon Valenzuela to put the Jays ahead in the top of the ninth. The 0-39 Sox after 8 innings went quietly in the ninth to drop to 0-40, lose the game and get swept by the Jays 4-3 at Fenway Park.

                                                    0-40 when trailing after 8 innings

Gray got the ball in the top of the first and George Springer struck out swinging to start. Vladimir Guerrero Jr hit a home run all the way into the Atlantic Ocean to put the Jays up just two batters into the game. Jesus Sanchez grounded out to first but Yohendrick Pinango walked. Ernie Clement flied out to left to end the inning with the Jays up 1-0.

                                                                Jays up early again

Yesavage got the ball in the bottom of the first and Mickey Gasper hit one up the elevator shaft to start. Ceddanne Rafaela popped up to second and Wilyer Abreu struck out swinging to end the inning.

Nathan Lukes grounded out to first to start the top of the second but Kazuma Okamoto doubled to left. Brandon Valenzuela got a base hit to right to move Okamoto to third and Kazuma scored on the sac fly to left by Andres Gimenez. Springer doubled to left but Guerrero Jr grounded out to second to end the inning with the Jays up 2-0.

                                                          Jays get another run

Willson Contreras grounded out to second to start the bottom of the second and Jarren Duran struck out swinging. Isiah Kiner-Falefa popped up to second to end the inning.

Sanchez flied out to center to start the top of the third and Pinango popped up to third. Clement lined out to left to end the inning. Caleb Durbin flied out to center to start the bottom of the third and Connor Wong struck out swinging. Andruw Monasterio struck out swinging to end the inning.

Lukes flied out to center to start the top of the fourth and Okamoto grounded out to third. Valenzuela 

took strike three to end the inning. Gasper pounded a ground rule double down the right field line to start the bottom of the fourth and Rafaela dropped down a bunt to move Mickey to third. Naturally Abreu popped up to center and Contreras struck out swinging to end the inning as the crowd booed.

Gimenez grounded out to first to start the top of the fifth and Springer grounded out to short. Guerrero Jr grounded out to short as well to end the inning. Duran lined out to right to start the bottom of the fifth and Kiner hit one up the elevator shaft. Durbin popped up to second to end the inning.

Sanchez got a base hit to right to start the top of the sixth and moved the second on the Pinango grounder to first. Clement hit a roller to short and Sanchez was thrown out at third. Clement was picked off to end the inning. Bad baserunning. Wong took strike three to start the bottom of the sixth and Monasterio popped up to first. Gasper flied out to center to end the inning.

The Jays finished off Gray in the top of the seventh as Lukes hit a home run all the way to Cleveland to start. Okamoto struck out swinging, Valenzuela flied out to center and Gimenez struck out swinging to end the inning with the Jays up 3-0. That was it for Gray who allowed 3 runs in 7 innings, normally that would be good enough to win.

                                                      Gray deserved better

Suddenly the Sox sprang to life in the bottom of the seventh as Rafaela doubled to left to start. Abreu lined out to right to move Ceddanne to third and Contreras grounded out to short to score Rafaela. Duran grounded back to the mound to end the inning with the Sox down 3-1.

                                                                Sox get on the board

Justin "Incinerator" Slaten came in to pitch the top of the eighth and Springer got a base hit to right to start. Guerrero Jr flied out to right and Sanchez struck out swinging, but Pinango doubled to center. Springer came around but was thrown out at the plate to end the inning. Davis Schneider came in for Sanchez, Myles Straw took over for Pinango and Kiner somehow launched his second home run of the year to start the bottom of the eighth. Durbin then went back to back with his fourth home run of the season to tie the game. Wong grounded out to short and that was it for Yesavage. Tommy Nance came in and Monasterio flied out to right. Gasper got a single in the hole at short and Nate Eaton ran for him. Eaton stole second to put the go-ahead run at second....but Rafaela grounded out to third to end the inning with the game tied 3-3.

                                                          Durbin ties it up

Aroldis Chapman came in to blow the game in the top of the ninth as Clement got a base hit past the mound to start. Lukes popped up a bunt to Wong and Okamoto struck out swinging. Valenzuela then hit one up the elevator shaft.....NO! Wong dropped the ball and Valenzuela was given new life. Naturally he doubled high off the monster to score Clement all the way to first to suck the life out of the park. Gimenez popped up to second to end the inning with the Jays ahead 4-3.

                                                             Brandon watches it go

The Sox were 0-31 when trailing by 3 runs and 0-39 when trailing after eight innings going into the bottom of the ninth with Mason Fluharty now on the mound. Abreu flied out to center, Contreras grounded out to third and Duran popped up to third to end the game. Opposing closers were now 40 for 40 against the Sox as the Jays won 4-3.

                                                             Jays win

Jackass of The Night is Connor Wong. He dropped an easy pop up that would have ended the ninth inning, instead the Jays took the lead.

                                                              Jackass Wong

The Good:

Mickey Gasper was 2 for 4.

Ceddanne Rafaela was 1 for 3 with a run scored.

Isiah Kiner-Falefa was 1 for 3 with a home run.

Caleb Durbin was 1 for 3 with a home run.

Sonny Gray tossed 7 solid innings allowed 3 runs off 6 hits and a walk while striking out 4.

Justin Slaten pitched a scoreless eighth inning.

The Bad:

Wilyer Abreu was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Jarren Duran was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Connor Wong was 0 for 3 with 2 strikeouts.

Andruw Monasterio was 0 for 3 with a strikeout.

Aroldis Chapman took the loss by allowing a run in the ninth.

The Ugly:

Willson Contreras was 0 for 4 with a strikeout but drove in a run.

Honorable Mention:

Nate Eaton ran for Gasper in the eighth inning.

Final Thoughts:

Bad teams find a way to lose and the Red Sox do it every day. The Sox hadn't won a game when trailing by 3 or in the ninth all year and they were just about to pull it off. They somehow rallied down 3-0 to tie the game and had 2 outs in the top of the ninth....and Wong drops an easy pop up followed by a rare Chapman blown save. Why Sox GM Craig Breslow still has a job is beyond anyone's rational thinking. The Sox roll over and die in the ninth every single game and its an organizational failure. Opposing pitchers are pounding the strike zone at will because this team doesn't hit home runs. That's why they rarely draw a walk because pitchers don't have to be afraid. Kiner and Durbin tagging Yesavage was the aberration instead of the normal. Any other GM would be making trades or bringing up rookies from AAA to give them a shot to create a spark. Breslow literally puts his hands behind his head and watches every single game. This is one of the worst teams in Sox history and its all on him now. Can't use Rafael Devers or Alex Cora as a boogeyman anymore. John Henry, Sam Kennedy and Craig Breslow should all face their shame. The loss dropped the Sox to 29-43, good for last place in the AL East. The Sox now travel to Seattle for a three game set with the Mariners out west. Ranger Suarez (2-3, 3.21 ERA) takes on Bryce Miller of the Mariners. The game begins at 10:10 PM eastern time at T-Mobile Park.