Off Day News: 2023 Draft Revisited (6/26/25)

Its an off day and since we're under three weeks away from the MLB Draft, its time to take a look at former Red Sox GM Chaim Bloom's final draft back in 2023.

1st Round - C Kyle Teel

The Red Sox scored with their first round pick, 14th overall in Virginia University catcher Kyle Teel. He made an immediate impact driving in 20 runs in 23 games between the Greenville Drive and Portland Sea Dogs to end 2023. In 2024 he was part of the "Goldust Trio" with Marcelo Mayer and Roman Anthony hitting 13 home runs and driving in 78 runs between Portland and the Worcester Red Sox. Then he was shipped out along with Chase Meidroth, Wilkeman Gonzalez and 2024 first round pick Braden Montgomery to the Chicago White Sox for ace pitcher Garrett Crochet. Teel slugged his way through AAA then made his Major League debut on June 6th for Chicago. Currently he's hitting .250 with no home runs but there's still 3 months left in the year. Ex-Sox GM Chaim Bloom scored with this pick and current Sox GM had to trade him to get the ace the Sox needed. Its business.

Currently - Chicago White Sox

2nd Round - SS Nazzan Zanatello

One of the reasons the Red Sox have a lack of depth at first base and catcher is Chaim Bloom drafting nothing but shortstops in the top 50 for 4 consecutive years. Nazzan Zanatello was taken in the second round out of Christian Brothers High School and hit just .156 for the Salem Red Sox last year in his first professional season. This year with the Greenville Drive he's hitting just .174 but with 5 home runs and 27 rbis. He's only 20 years old so he's got time to get his bat on the ball more often. I won't bother comparing him with other draft picks of the round because that would be unfair, maybe next year.

Currently - Greenville Drive

3rd Round - SS Antonio Anderson

Once again, Chaim Bloom took another high school infielder in an early round when he took North Atlanta High School shortstop Antonio Anderson in the third round. He hit just .186 for Salem last year but with 5 home runs and 34 rbis. This year he had 29 hits in 84 at-bats to get promoted to Greenville where he's currently hitting .252 with 2 home runs. He turns 20 in two days so the jury is still out on him as well, no sense comparing him to other draft picks yet.

Currently - Greenville Drive

4th Round - RHP Matt Duffy

The Sox didn't take their first pitcher until the fourth round when they tabbed Canisius University right handed pitcher Matt Duffy. Duffy had a 4.32 ERA his senior year in 14 starts and pitched in just 3 games to finish 2023. Last year his record was just 4-5 but had a 2.83 ERA in 21 starts for the Salem Red Sox. Unfortunately he had Tommy John surgery in March and won't pitch this year. Hopefully he'll bounce back next year.

Currently - Full Season Injured List

4th Round Compensation - SS Kristian Campbell

Talk about the end of one era starting another. When the Red Sox lost Xander Bogaerts to the San Diego Padres, they got an extra pick in the fourth round. Bloom scored when he picked Georgia Tech shortstop Kristian Campbell. The 22 year old (23 in two days) hit .306 for Greenville last year with 8 home runs before getting promoted to Portland. He hit 8 home runs and drove in 35 runs to finish the season. If the "Goldust Trio" was Kyle Teel, Marcelo Mayer and Roman Anthony, then Kristian Campbell was not far behind. As it was, he was the first to make his MLB debut as a torrid hot streak in spring training had Kristian on the opening day roster. He tore it up in April becoming one of the top rookies, but faltered in the last two months dropping to a .223 batting average. He got demoted to Worcester where he's only hitting .200, but there's still time to turn it around. Still, even if he stays in Worcester for the next few months, at least he got to the dance. That's more than a lot of others in his draft class will say.

Currently - Worcester Red Sox

4th Round Compensation - SS Justin Reimer

The Sox received another fourth round compensation pick for losing Nathan Eovaldi to the Texas Rangers and selected yet another shortstop in Wright State's Justin Reimer. Reimer was a crapshot because he tore his ACL for Wright State before the draft and played in just 38 games for the Florida Complex Sox and Salem to end 2024. This year so far he's hitting .229 with no home runs in 39 games for Greenville. That's not good, especially when you're supposed to sacrifice average for power. He was never a power guy in college so his average better improve soon.

Currently - Greenville Drive

5th Round - LHP Connelly Early

Bloom finally got his head out of his ass and took a left handed pitcher in the fifth round, Virginia University's Connelly Early. Early went 12-3 for the Cavaliers but pitched in just 1 game for Salem to end the season. Last year he had some bad luck going 1-6 for Greenville in 15 starts but with a 3.72 ERA, earning a promotion to Portland. He was 2-3 with a 4.50 ERA to end the season. This year he's arguably been Portland's best pitcher, going 6-2 with a 2.70 ERA. The Sox haven't drafted a great lefty since Jon Lester, maybe Early will be the next one. Time will tell.

Currently - Portland Sea Dogs

6th Round - RHP CJ Weins

In the sixth round, the Sox took right handed pitcher CJ Weins out of Western Kentucky University. He was 0-2 with a 4.81 ERA last year for Salem when he was traded just before the trade deadline to the Detroit Tigers for veteran reliever Trey Wingenter. Weins began to pitch better, going 1-0 with a 2.20 ERA for the Lakeland Flying Tigers and 1-1 with a 1.69 ERA for the Western Michigan Whitecaps. He finished 2024 with the Erie Seawolves allowing 1 run in 3 innings. This year he's 3-0 with a 3.26 ERA for the Whitecaps and appears to be knocking on the door to AA again. Its too bad the Sox gave up his career for less than a month of Wingenter.

Currently - Western Michigan Whitecaps

7th Round - OF Caden Rose

In the 7th round, the Sox took Alabama University outfielder Caden Rose. Rose finished 2024 hitting .187 for Greenville but with 4 home runs. This year so far he's hitting just .162 in 56 games, albeit with 5 home runs. That's not gonna get it done, especially with other outfielders in the system such as James Tibbs and "The Password" coming up. He better start making some contact or he might be out of here in a year or two.

Currently - Portland Sea Dogs

8th Round - RHP Trennor O'Donnell

In the 8th round, the Sox tabbed right handed pitcher Trennor O'Donnell out of Ball State University. Trennor was 3-7 with Salem with a 4.00 ERA last year when he had shoulder surgery in July to end his season. This year he's 1-3 with a 4.70 ERA for Salem which isn't good. He turned 24 on June 6th so it'll be worth it to keep him around another year, but struggling to get Low A batters out is concerning. Worse yet, four picks after O'Donnell was chosen, the Milwaukee Brewers took Indiana University pitcher Craig Yoho. Craig made his debut for the Milwaukee Brewers on April 21st and is currently dominating AAA with the Nashville Sounds. This might be an oops when all is said and done.

Currently - Salem Red Sox

9th Round - RHP Blake Wehunt

The Sox once again drafted a mediocre pitcher when they took right handed pitcher Blake Wehunt in the ninth round. He was 4-4 with a 4.83 ERA for Kennesaw State before rising through the ranks in 2024. He was 2-0 with a 2.16 ERA for Salem but was 1-6 with a 4.42 ERA for Greenville. He ended the season pitching a game for Portland. This year he's 2-6 with a 3.72 ERA for Portland. The ERA is starting to look better but he turns 25 in November. He better get to Worcester real quick because other pitchers are going to pass him by.

Currently - Portland Sea Dogs

10th Round - LHP Ryan Ammons

It was a case of give up something to get something when it comes to 10th round pick, left handed pitcher Ryan Ammons out of Clemson University. Ammons never played a minor league game for the Sox before he was traded in December for current Sox reliever Justin Slaten. Slaten has been one of their reliable bullpen arms the last two seasons while Ammons is 3-0 with a 1.96 ERA for the Brooklyn Cyclones in the New York Mets system. He's 24 years old at High A, but at least he looks like he has High A figured out. Still, the Sox would rather have Slaten for sure, nothing against Ammons.

Currently - Brooklyn Cyclones

11th Round - OF Nelly Taylor

In the 11th round, the Sox tabbed Polk State University outfielder Nelly Taylor. He looked pretty good last year when he belted 8 home runs and drove in 54 runs between Salem and Greenville before starting this season in Greenville. He's currently hitting .242 but with 5 home runs so far. The power is there, hopefully he can get that average up to make it to Portland. Time well tell on this one.

Currently - Greenville Drive

12th Round - RHP Max Carlson

The Sox selected North Carolina University right handed pitcher Max Carlson with their 12th round pick. Carlson looked like another bum as he was 5-2 with a 5.45 ERA in college, but turned it around in the pros. He was 5-1 with a 2.81 ERA and 6 saves out of the bullpen for Salem last year before going 1-1 with a 2.31 ERA for Grenville to end the season. This year he's slipped going 3-1 with a 4.08 ERA in 36 games. Still, he's only 23 and might pick it back up as the season goes on. The problem is, 9 picks after Carlson, the Seattle Mariners took current starting pitcher Logan Evans who's 3-2 with a 2.97 ERA for Seattle. Carlson has some work to do.

Currently - Greenville Drive

13th Round - RHP Cade Feeney

Life isn't fair for 13th round pick, right handed pitcher Cade Feeney out of North Dakota State University. He was 0-1 with a 3.66 ERA for the Greenville Drive last season before he had Tommy John surgery in October, knocking him out of this season. Let's see if he bounces back in 2026.

Currently - Greenville Drive

14th Round - LHP Jojo Ingrassia

In the 14th round, the Sox went with Cal State Fullerton left handed pitcher Jojo Ingrassia. He utterly dominated Salem in 2024 going 3-1 with a 1.85 ERA in 21 games. The problem was he missed the rest of the season due to an elbow injury. This year in Greenville he's 0-2 with a 3.18 ERA in just 17 innings. Let's see what he looks like when his elbow is properly healed.

Currently - Greenville Drive

15th round - OF Phoenix Call

The Sox first "did not sign" didn't occur until the 15th round when they took Calabasas High School outfielder Phoenix Call. Call ended up going to play college ball for the UCLA Bruins. He just finished his sophomore year at second base and hit .256 with 31 rbis. Not exactly eye popping numbers but then again. he's only a sophomore. He might get drafted at the end of next year or at least in 2027.

Currently - NCAA

16th Round - RHP Isaac Stebens

The Sox finally drafted a pitcher with good stats when they chose right handed pitcher Isaac Stebens out of Oklahoma State University. Stebens had a good showing last season, allowing just 1 earned run in 11 innings for Salem before going to Greenville where he was 3-3 with a 3.68 ERA. This year he's Greenville's closer, going 2-0 with a 1.97 ERA with 6 saves. Good closers are hard to find so hopefully he can keep this up when he reaches Portland.

Currently - Greenville Drive

17th Round - OF Dylan Schlaegel

The next non-signee was in the 17th round when the Sox took Legacy High School outfielder Dylan Schlaegel out of Texas. He chose to play college ball for Dallas Baptist instead. This season he hit .250 with 1 home run and 8 rbis in just 24 games. Maybe the Sox dodged a bullet with him not signing, but it was still a wasted draft pick.

Currently - NCAA

18th Round - LHP Zach Fogell

In the 18th round, the Sox took left handed pitcher Zach Fogell who had a miserable college experience. His first year at Brown in 2019 sucked and not only did Covid wipe out 2020, famously the Ivy League refused to play in 2021 as well. Fogell could have been drafted in 2022 but instead due to heavy rust, he went 0-4 with a 6.46 ERA. He transferred to UConn for 2023 to finish out his career and dominated, going 8-1 with a 1.89 ERA. Fogell ended 2023 not allowing an earned run for the Complex or Salem. Last year he was 5-2 with a 3.32 ERA for Greenville and this year he's allowed just 7 earned runs in 16 innings for the Drive. A promotion to Portland is imminent, just a question of when.

Currently - Greenville Drive

19th Round - OF Stanley Tucker

What a sad turn of events for 19th round pick, outfielder Stanley Tucker. He had just 10 hits in 67 at-bats for the Complex and Salem in 2023 after being chosen out of Texas A & M University. Last year he hit just .195 with 2 home runs for Salem. Some pundits thought he'd have a breakout in 2025, instead he hurts his wrist in Spring Training and hasn't played since. With the draft less than a month away, this was a crucial year of developing he's missing. Its a shame, can't fault a guy for being hurt but he wasn't playing well even before that.

Currently - Salem Red Sox

20th Round - RHP Robert Orloski

With the final pick in the 20th round, the Sox took Middleton High School right handed pitcher Robert Orloski from the state of Idaho. Orloski didn't sign with the Sox and chose to go to college at University of Texas San Antonio. He was 3-5 with a 5.94 ERA his freshman year but turned it around to go 8-0 with a 3.36 ERA with 9 saves out of the bullpen. He could be the UTSA closer next year which will greatly improve his draft stock. He would have made 150 grand if he signed with the Sox, maybe he'll make more next year. Either way, another wasted pick.

Currently - NCAA

Undrafted Rookie Free Agent - 1B Drew Ehrhard

Back in 2021, the Red Sox drafted Florida prep school shortstop Zach Ehrhard who ended up not signing with the Sox. Two years later, the Sox signed his older brother Drew out of Tampa University as a rookie free agent. Drew played 21 games for the Portland Sea Dogs last year and did hit .265 with 2 home runs. This year playing with his brother, Drew is hitting .245 with 2 home runs in 33 games. For a guy who wasn't even drafted, getting some playing time and getting some hits here and there in AA is further than a lot of guys drafted will reach. Keep fighting, Drew.

Currently - Portland Sea Dogs

Undrafted Rookie Free Agent - RHP Cooper Adams

Another undrafted crap shot the Sox took was right handed pitcher Cooper Adams out of Mt. St Mary's College where he was 8-3 but with a 5.03 ERA. He was 2-5 with a 5.08 ERA last year for Greenville and this year he's 2-3 with a 4.35 ERA for Greenville so far. He may not be putting up eye popping numbers but he's not getting lit up either. Other undrafted and late round picks in previous years couldn't even say that. Let's see how long he can hang, keep on trucking Cooper.

Currently - Greenville Drive.

Of the 22 players the Sox selected or signed, 3 never signed, 1 is currently in the majors, 1 made the majors but is currently in AAA, 12 are in High A, 3 are in Single A and 2 are in AA. Chaim Bloom's final draft produced two major leaguers in just two years and time will tell on the rest. Connelly Early is currently the one out of this group with the most potential to join Kristian Campbell and Kyle Teel but others might step up as well. Chaim Bloom's legacy does include Marcelo Mayer, Roman Anthony, Kyle Teel, Niko Kavadas, Nick Yorke, Chase Meidroth, Kristian Campbell, Luis Guerrero and Hunter Dobbins already in the majors so it wasn't a total loss. Unfortunately drafting nothing but infielders in the first few rounds every year came back to bite the big club in the pitching department. Having to sacrifice Meidroth, Yorke, Teel and Kavadas for pitching is the price you pay for mistakes like that. Hopefully Craig Breslow doesn't make the same mistake next month.

Angels Rally Past Red Sox (6/23/25)

Of all the frustrating losses this season for the Boston Red Sox, tonight's disaster is up there with them. The Sox bolted to a 3-0 lead out of the gate against Jack Kochanowicz but Walker Buehler got hammered for 5 in the bottom of the first. A sac fly by Connor Wong and a Trevor Story home run tied the game, but the Angels rallied again in the bottom of the eighth. The Angels got 4 runs against Garrett Whitlock and Jorge Alcala and survived an injury to Kenley Jansen to win the game 9-4 at Angels Stadium.

                                               Doc's reaction to Whitlock blowing it

The Sox came out firing against Jack Kochanowicz in the top of the first as Jarren Duran grounded out to short to start. Abraham "El" Toro singled to right, Roman Anthony singled to left and Trevor Story singled to right to load the bases. Wilyer Abreu got a base hit to left to score Toro and Anthony. Ceddanne Rafaela got a base hit to left to score Story. Marcelo Mayer forced Rafaela to end the inning with the Sox up 3-0.

                                                             Sox go up early

Buehler got his teeth kicked in to start the bottom of the first as Zach Neto hit a home run into the Pacific Ocean to start. Nolan Schanuel flied out to center but Mike Trout walked. Taylor Ward walked but Travis d'Arnaud hit one up the elevator shaft. Jo Adell got a base hit to left to score Trout and LaMonte Wade Jr was hit with a pitch to load the bases and Luis Rengifo walked to tie the game. Christian Moore walked and Zeto was hit by a pitch to increase the lead. Schanuel flied out to center to end the inning with the Angels up 5-3.

                                              Neto drives in 2 runs in 2 at-bats in the first

The Sox failed to respond in the top of the second as Connor Wong walked to start. David Hamilton forced him at second then Duran flied out to left. Hamilton was thrown out at second trying to steal to end the inning. Trout struck out swinging to begin the bottom of the second but Ward walked. d'Arnaud struck out swinging and Adell lined out to right to end the inning.

Toro struck out swinging to open the top of the third but Anthony walked. Story flied out to left and Abreu grounded back to the mound to end the inning. Wade Jr grounded out to first to start the bottom of the third before Rengifo flied out to left. Moore grounded out to short to end the inning.

The Sox rallied in the top of the fourth as Rafaela was hit with a pitch to start. Rafaela swiped second and Mayer grounded out to short to move him to third. Wong hit a sac fly to left to score Rafaela but Hamilton popped up to second to end the inning with the Sox down 5-4.

                                                             Wong drives in a run

Neto singled to left to start the bottom of the fourth but was forced at second by Schanuel. Trout and Ward drew back to back walks but d'Arnaud took strike three. Adell popped up to second to end the inning. That was it for Buehler who got hammered for 5 runs in just 4 innings allowing SEVEN walks and 3 hits.

                                                          No control for Buehler today

Frustration boiled over in the top of the fifth as Duran doubled to start. It looked like Duran should have been safe at third on an obstruction call after a grounder to sort by Toro....instead both Duran and Toro were thrown out in rundowns. Alex Cora ran out of the dugout screaming and had to be escorted out of the building by armed security. Anthony grounded out to third to end the inning with the manager gone.

                               "CAN'T YOU IDIOTS DO ANYTHING RIGHT????" - Cora

Luis Guerrero came in to pitch the bottom of the fifth and Wade Jr grounded out to sort to start. Rengifo walked but was thrown out at second trying to steal. Moore struck out swinging to end the inning.

Old Sox prospect Ryan Zeferjahn came in to pitch the top of the sixth and Story greeted him with his 11th home run of the season to tie the game. Abreu, Rafaela and Mayer all struck out swinging to end the inning but the game was tied 5-5.

                                                        Story ties it

Zeto grounded out to second to start the bottom of the sixth before Schanuel went down hacking. Trout also whiffed to end the inning.

Brock Burke came in to pitch the top of the seventh and Wong got a base hit to left to start. Hamilton caught the Angels asleep with a bunt single down to third and Duran dropped his own bunt to move the runners over. Reid Detmers came in to pitch to Toro and interim manager Ramon Vazquez brought in Romy Gonzalez to pinch hit. Gonzalez was intentionally walked to get to the rookie Anthony and Roman struck out swinging. Story also struck out swinging to end the inning, what a waste. Garrett Whitlock came in to pitch the bottom of the seventh and Ward grounded out to short to start. d'Arnaud flied out to right and Adell lined out to right to end the inning.

Sam Bachman came in to pitch the top of the eighth and Abreu struck out swinging to start. Rafaela flied out to center and Mayer took strike three to end the inning. The floodgates opened in the bottom of the eighth as Wade Jr beat out a roller to short to start. Wong turned and fired the ball over the FIRST baseman's head on a steal attempt for an error to allow Wade to make it to third. Rengifo walked and Moore hit a sac fly to right to score Wade. Neto singled to left to move Rengifo to third and Neto promptly stole second. Schanuel struck out swinging and Trout was intentionally walked to load the bases. Naturally Ward walked to FINALLY chase Whitlock. Jorge Alcala came in and d'Arnaud singled to left to score both Neto and Trout. Adell struck out swinging to end the inning with the Angels up 9-5.

                                                                    Angels pour it on

Kenley Jansen came in to close out the top of the ninth....and keeled over clutching his arm. He had to be carried out on a stretcher and Hector Neris came in to pitch. Wong grounded out to third, Hamilton struck out swinging and Duran went down hacking to end the game. The Angels had won 9-5.

                                                                 Angels win

Jackass of the Night is Garrett Whitlock. He allowed 4 runs in 1 2/3 innings to take the loss.

                                                                   Jackass Whitlock

The Good:

Abraham Toro was 1 for 3 with a run scored.

Romy Gonzalez walked as a pinch hitter.

Roman Anthony was 1 for 3 with a walk and a run scored.

Trevor Story was 2 for 4 with with a home run and 2 total runs scored.

Ceddanne Rafaela was 1 for 3 with an rbi, a stolen base and a run scored.

Luis Guerrero tossed two scoreless innings.

The Bad:

Marcelo Mayer was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

Walker Buehler got hammered for 5 runs in 4 innings allowing 3 hits and 7 walks.

The Ugly:

Jarren Duran was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout.

Wilyer Abreu was just 1 for 4 with 2 strikeouts but drove in 2 runs.

Connor Wong was 1 for 2 with a walk and an rbi but committed an error.

David Hamilton was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout.

Jorge Alcala allowed 2 inherited runners to score in 1/3 of an inning.

Final Thoughts:

That's three losses in a row and reality is setting in. Trading Devers when the Sox are already missing Masataka Yoshida, Alex Bregman and Triston Casas was a death knell. The offense had a good rally early but when the Sox needed it later, they didn't get it. Abraham Toro, Romy Gonzalez, Rob Refsnyder and others are nice little role players but no substitute for star players. Still, the name of the game is pitching and Walker Buehler coming out of the gate getting shelled is not what they needed. Whitlock and Alcala getting beat up was also a sign they didn't have it tonight. Whitlock has been solid all season so this was just a hiccup, but it came at a bad time with the Sox scuffling in the wake of the Devers trade. Maybe they'll wake up to turn it around soon but right now this looks BAD. The loss dropped the Sox to 40-40, back to .500, 6 games behind the New York Yankees for first place in the AL East. The Sox look to snap the three game streak tomorrow with the stopper Garrett Crochet on the mound against Ty Anderson of the Angels. The game begins at 9:30 PM Eastern time at Angels Stadium.

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.

Sox Rally Against Giants Falls Short (6/21/25)

Close but no cigar for the Boston Red Sox in today's game against the San Francisco Giants. The Sox lack of clutch hitting reared its ugly head as the Giants managed to edge them in this contest. Landen Roupp held the Sox scoreless through six innings allowing just 3 hits while Brayan Bello (3-2, 3.31 ERA) was once again failed by his offense and defense. Heliot Ramos hit a home run in the first inning and after an error by David Hamilton, who else but Rafael Devers hit a two run shot. Bello managed to hold the Giants to just the 3 runs but the Boston bats were silent until the ninth inning. Three straight Boston hits cut the lead to one and a throwing error by Andrew Knizner scored pinch runner Nate Eaton and put the tying run at second. Eaton made it to third but was stranded as the Giants held on to win 3-2 at Fenway Park.

                                                                      "So close"

Roupp got the ball in the top of the first inning and Jarren Duran flied out to left to start. Abraham Toro lined out to center but Roman Anthony walked. Roman took second on a balk but Trevor Story struck out swinging to end the inning. The Giants wasted no time getting to Bello in the bottom of the first as Mike Yastrzemski popped up to short to start. Rafael Devers grounded out to first and Heliot Ramos hit a home run all the way to Scotland to put SF on top. Willy Adames grounded out to third to end the inning with the Giants up 1-0.

                                                      That didn't take long

Wilyer Abreu singled to left to start the top of the second but Ceddanne Rafaela lined out to second. Marcelo Mayer grounded into a double play to end the inning. Dominic Smith grounded out to second to start the bottom of the second before Casey Schmitt did the same. Daniel Johnson flied out to right to end the inning.

Connor Wong struck out swinging to start the top of the third before David Hamilton grounded out to first. Duran struck out swinging to end the inning. The Giants iced the game in the bottom of the third as Tyler Fitzgerald struck out swinging to start. Hamilton booted a grounder by Knizner for an error but Yaz struck out swinging. None other than Devers himself hit a home run all the way to San Diego to ice the game. Ramos struck out swinging to end the inning with the Giants up 3-0.

                                                             He looks familiar

El Toro flied out to left to start the top of the fourth and Anthony flied out to center. Story got a base hit to right and Abreu struck out swinging to end the inning. Adames grounded out to third to begin the bottom of the fourth before Smith walked. Schmitt singled to left but Johnson beat out a double play ball. Fitzgerald forced Johnson at second to end the inning.

Rafaela struck out swinging to start the top of the fifth but Mayer walked. Wong grounded back to the mound to move Mayer to second and Hamilton struck out swinging to end the inning. Knizner struck out swinging to start the bottom of the fifth before Yaz grounded out to short. Devers took strike three to end the inning. 

Duran grounded out to second to start the top of the sixth before Toro struck out swinging. Anthony walked and Story got a base hit off the glove of Roupp, but Abreu grounded out to first to end the inning. Ramos grounded out to short to start the bottom of the sixth before Adames took strike three. Smith singled in the hole at third but Schmitt flied out to right to end the inning. That was it for Bello as he recovered to toss 6 solid innings allowing just the 3 runs. He just got no run support.

                                                         Bello did well all things considered

Randy Rodriguez came in to pitch the top of the seventh and Rafaela popped up to first to begin. Mayer struck out swinging and Wong flied out to center to end the inning. Jorge Alcala came in to pitch the bottom of the seventh and Johnson flied out to center to start. Fitzgerald flied out to right and Knizner hit one up the elevator shaft to end the inning.

Tyler Rogers came in to pitch the top of the eighth and Hamilton grounded back to the mound to start. Duran grounded out to short and Toro grounded out to second to end the inning. Luis Guerrero came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth and Yaz took strike three to start. Devers grounded out to second and Ramos flied out to center to end the inning.

The Sox rallied in the top of the ninth and Camilo Doval came in to close. Anthony doubled to center to start and Story got a base hit to right to move Roman to third. Abreu got a base hit ton right to score Anthony and move Story to third. Nate Eaton came in to run for Abreu but Rafaela popped up to second. Eaton took off for second and Knizner threw the ball away allowing Story to score. Mayer grounded out to first to move Eaton to third and Romy Gonzalez pinch hit for Wong. Gonzalez grounded out to short to end the game. The Giants had won it 3-2.

                                                   Devers gets the last laugh

Jackass of the Night is Ceddanne Rafaela. He popped up with the tying run at first and went 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

                                                         Jackass Rafaela

The Good:

Roman Anthony was 1 for 2 with 2 walks and a run scored.

Trevor Story was 3 for 4 with a run scored.

Wilyer Abreu was 2 for 4 with an rbi.

Nate Eaton stole a base as a pinch runner.

One of the rare times the losing pitcher ends up on the good list but Brayan Bello tossed 6 solid innings allowing 3 runs (only 1 earned) off 4 hits and a walk while striking out 6.

Jorge Alcala tossed a scoreless seventh inning.

Luis Guerrero pitched a scoreless eighth inning.

The Bad:

Jarren Duran was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Abraham Toro was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Connor Wong was 0 for 3 with a strikeout.

Romy Gonzalez was 0 for 1 as a pinch hitter.

David Hamilton was 0 for 3 with an error and a strikeout.

The Ugly:

Marcelo Mayer was 0 for 3 with a strikeout but walked.

Final Thoughts:

The lack of clutch hitting burned the Sox again and yet another error as well. The Hamilton error led to the Devers home run but at the same time, some better offense wins the game. The Sox had the go-ahead run on in the ninth and couldn't get it in. Eaton came in and made a great play but Mayer and Gonzalez couldn't get it done. If the Sox hadn't traded Devers, maybe someone else might have been in that spot. Either way the Sox are still 3-2 since the trade and have a chance to win the series tomorrow. The Sox need to find a bat with Devers gone, Alex Bregman hurt and Triston Casas out for the season. Either way the Sox look to be in trouble offensively. The loss dropped the Sox to 40-38, 5 games behind the New York Yankees for first place in the AL East. The Sox look to bounce back tomorrow afternoon when Lucas Giolito takes on Robbie Ray of San Francisco. The game begins at 4:05 PM Eastern time at Oracle Park.