Sox Lose Early, Contreras, Game (6/30/26)

Talk about worst case scenario for the Boston Red Sox. For four innings tonight's game against the Washington Nationals was going like every game the past 5 days, Connelly Early had tossed 4 shutout innings and the Sox took an early lead on Washington Nationals starter Cade Cavalli. Then it all fell apart as Early was pulled from the game with an elbow injury and Willson Contreras got himself ejected for the second game in a row. After that, the Red Sox bullpen imploded, Cavalli pitched the game of his life and the Nationals spanked the Red Sox 8-1 at Fenway Park.

Early got the ball in the top of the first inning and Wood popped up to third to start. Andres Chaparro struck out swinging but Curtis Mead walked. Mead stole second but CJ Abrams struck out swinging to end the inning. Cavalli got the ball in the bottom of the first and Anthony Seigler doubled to left to start. Ceddanne Rafaela grounded out to second to move Seigler to third but Wilyer Abreu struck out swinging. Willson Contreras hit a routine grounder to Mead....booted for an error to score Seigler. Contreras stole second but Jarren Duran flied out to left to end the inning with the Sox up 1-0. 

                                                            "I don't got it" - Mead

Dylan Crews got a base hit to right to start the top of the second and promptly stole second. Jacob Young struck out swinging and Daylen Lile flied out to right to move Dylan to third. Nasim Nunez walked but Keibert Ruiz grounded out to third to end the inning. Romy Gonzalez struck out swinging to start the bottom of the second and Caleb Durbin did the same. Carlos Narvaez also went down hacking to end the inning. 

Wood singled off the glove of Tsung-Che Cheng to start the top of the third but Chaparro grounded into a double play. Mead took strike three to end the inning. Cheng grounded out to third to start the bottom of the third and Seigler struck out swinging. Rafaela also struck out swinging to end the inning. 

Abrams struck out swinging to start the top of the fourth but Crews singled in the hole at short. Young grounded into a double play to end the inning. Abreu struck out swinging to start the bottom of the fourth and Contreras took strike three. Cavalli started barking at him and Contreras started walking toward him. Duran jumped in front of him and then Abreu jumped into the pile and it was on. Contreras fired his helmet at Cavalli and Sox manager Chad Tracy was tossed for screaming at the umpire that Cavalli started it. Contreras, Nate Eaton and Miles Mikolas were tossed as well. When action resumed Duran grounded out to second to end the inning.

                                                              Mayhem at Fenway 

Not only did Andruw Monasterio have to replace Contreras, apparently lost in all the confusion Early had to leave the game due to injury. Danny Coulombe came in to pitch the top of the fifth and Lile got a base hit to left to start. Nunez lines out to right but Ruiz walked. Wood got a base hit to right that scored Like but Nunez was thrown out at third. Greg Weissert came in for Coulombe and Luis Garcia Jr pinch hit for Chaparro. Garcia struck out swinging to end the inning with the game tied 1-1. 

                                                           Wood ties it up

Gonzalez grounded back to the mound to start the bottom of the fifth and Durbin struck out swinging. Narvaez flied out to center to end the inning. 

Mead grounded out to short to start the top of the sixth and Abrams flied out to right. Crews flied out to left to end the inning. Cheng grounded out to second to start the bottom of the sixth and Seigler struck out swinging. Rafaela took strike three to end the inning. 

Jose Tena pinch hit for Young to start the top of the seventh and got a base hit to right. Lile popped up to third but Nunez walked. Justin Slaten came in and Monasterio booted a grounder by Ruiz for an error to score Tena. Wood struck out swinging but Garcia doubled off the Monster to clear the bases & ice the game. Mead struck out swinging to end the inning with the Nationals up 4-1.

                                                            This game's over

The Sox failed to respond in the bottom of the seventh as Abreu took strike three to start. Monasterio grounded out to third and Duran took strike three to end the inning. Not only did Early leave the game with an elbow injury and Contreras get ejected, Cavalli pitched the game of his life allowing 1 hit and striking out 13.

Tommy Kahnle came in to pitch the top of the eighth and instantly gave up a home run to Abrams to increase the lead. Crews popped up to second but Tena walked. Lile singled to right to move Tena to third but Jose was thrown out at home on a grounder to the mound by Nunez. Naturally Ruiz doubled to right to score both runners and Wood doubled to center to score Ruiz. Garcia flied out to left to end the inning with the Nationals up 8-1.

                                                               Nationals pour it on

Orlando Ribalta came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth and Gonzalez got a base hit to center to start. Durbin got a base hit to left but Narvaez grounded into a double play. Cheng flied out to right to end the inning. 

Ryan Watson came in to pitch the top of the ninth and Mead grounded out to second to start. Abrams popped up to third and Crews grounded out to second to end the inning. Zak Kent came in to close out the bottom of the ninth and Seigler grounded out to second to start. Rafaela grounded out to third but Abreu singled to center. Monasterio lined out to third to end the game. The Nationals had won it 8-1.

                                                           Nationals win

Jackass of The Night is Tommy Kahnle. He turned a 4-1 game into 8-1 real quick.

                                                             Time to retire, Jackass

The Good:

Chad Durbin was 1 for 3.

Romy Gonzalez was 1 for 3.

Connelly Early tossed 4 shutout innings before leaving with injury.

Ryan Watson pitched a scoreless ninth inning.

The Bad:

Ceddanne Rafaela was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

Andruw Monasterio was 0 for 2 with an error.

Jarren Duran was 0 for 3 with a strikeout.

Carlos Narvaez was 0 for 3 with a strikeout.

Tsung-Che Cheng was 0 for 3.

Danny Coulombe was charged with a run in 2/3 of an inning.

Greg Weissert allowed 2 runs in 1 2/3 innings.

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

The Ugly:

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

Willson Contreras was 0 for 2 with 2 strikeouts but stole a base.

Wilyer Abreu was just 1 for 4 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts.

Final Thoughts:

Just when you thought the season was turning around, they crash off a cliff. Willson Contreras is very likely about to be suspended, Connelly Early is very likely having Tommy John surgery and both Tommy Kahnle and Justin Slaten look absolutely washed. With Aroldis Chapman dealing with an injury, the Sox just got a lot thinner in just one game. The worst part about tonight's game is Cavalli shoved it up their ass after the scrum in the fourth. You would have thought it would have rallied the Sox but instead it did the opposite. The Nats getting 8 runs off the Sox bullpen and the demeanors of the players as they rounded the bases showed they were the ones fired up. How do you come back from this? You lose your two best players in one game with half the team already out injured for the rest of the season. Its unlikely Roman Anthony, Trevor Story, Triston Casas or Garrett Crochet pitch again this season and now Early is about to join that list. At least you can't blame Craig Breslow for the Sox being made of glass. The loss dropped the Sox to 37-47, good for last place in the AL East. The defeated, lifeless Sox most likely drop tomorrow afternoon's game against Washington. Payton Tolle (4-5, 2.79 ERA) takes on Andrew Alvarez of Washington. The game begins at 1:35 PM at Fenway Park.

Early, Durbin Drop Yankees (6/25/26)

After the Boston Red Sox dropped 2 of 3 games to the worst team in baseball, fans prepared for doom as they suffered a delayed flight home knowing the New York Yankees and their ace Cam Schlittler was waiting for them. So naturally after the Sox lost to one of the worst teams, they emphatically beat one of the best. In a rematch of Game 3 last year, this time it was Connelly Early (7-5, 3.59 ERA) that got the duke, holding the Yankees to just 2 runs in 6 solid innings. The Yankees took a 2-0 lead when the Sox took advantage of shoddy defense to tie the game up. Then Caleb Durbin took Schlittler deep for a two run jack. The Yankees got a run against Greg Weissert in the seventh but due to bad defense, the Sox got two big insurance runs in the eighth. Aroldis Chapman slammed the door and the Sox had beaten the Yankees 6-3 at Fenway Park.

                                                   Sebastian Berhalter approves of the win

The Yankees tagged Early in the top of the first as Paul Goldschmidt doubled to center to start. Ben Rice flied out to center but Amed Rosario got a base hit to left to move Goldschmidt to third. Cody Bellinger struck out swinging but Jasson Dominguez got a base hit to center to put New York on top. Anthony Volpe took strike three to end the inning with the Yankees up 1-0.

                                                             Yankees strike first

Schlittler got the ball in the bottom of the first as Masataka Yoshida grounded out to short to start. Ceddanne Rafaela walked then promptly stole second. Austin Wells committed catcher's interference to send Wilyer Abreu to first but Willson Contreras struck out swinging. Jarren Duran grounded out to second to end the inning.

Jazz Chisholm Jr got a base hit to left to start the top of the second but Jose Caballero's bunt attempt got Jazz forced at second. Wells struck out swinging but Caballero stole second. Goldschmidt walked but Rice grounded out to second to end the inning. Somehow Wells lost Caleb Durbin's pop up in the lights and it dropped in for a "single" then Caleb took second on the Anthony Seigler grounder to second. Carlos Narvaez was plunked but Marcelo Mayer struck out swinging. Yoshida grounded back to the mound to end the inning.

Rosario struck out swinging to start the top of the third and Bellinger grounded out to second. Dominguez grounded out to second to end the inning. Rafaela took strike three to start the bottom of the third and Abreu struck out swinging. Contreras grounded out to first to end the inning.

The Yankees got another one in the top of the fourth although Volpe struck out second to start. Chisholm Jr popped up to second but Caballero hit a home run all the way to Las Vegas to increase the lead. Wells struck out swinging to end the inning with the Yankees up 2-0.

                                                               Caballero jacks one

The Sox blew another rally as Duran broke a 0 for 18 slump with a base hit to right, but Durbin struck out swinging. Seigler hit a ground rule double down the left field line. Naturally with runners in scoring position Narvaez and Mayer both struck out swinging to end the inning as the boo's rained down.

Goldschmidt took strike three to start the top of the fifth and Rice grounded out to first. Durbin made a great play to rob Rosario of a hit to end the inning. Suddenly the Sox sprang to life in the bottom of the fifth as Yoshida walked to start. Rafaela got a base hit up the middle but Abreu struck out swinging. Contreras hit a double play ball to Rosario....BOOTED FOR AN ERROR! Yoshida scored and the runners moved up, which led to Yoshida scoring Duran with a sac fly to left to tie the game. Suddenly Durbin pounded his sixth home run of the season to put the Sox on top. Seigler struck out swinging to end the inning with the Sox up 4-2.

                                                          Sox take the lead

Early returned for one final inning and Bellinger took strike three to start. Dominguez struck out swinging and Volpe flied out to left to end the inning. Early pitched well, holding the Yankees to 2 runs off 5 hits and a walk while striking out 9.

                                                        Early beats Schlittler this time

Paul Blackburn came in for Schlittler to start the bottom of the sixth and Narvaez got a base hit to center to start. Mayer forced him at second and Yoshida struck out swinging. Rafaela forced Mayer at second to end the inning.

Greg Weissert came in to crap his pants in the top of the seventh as Chisholm walked to start. Caballeron flied out to center but Wells got a base hit to right. Chisholm stole third and he scored on the Goldschmidt grounder to third. Sox manager Chad Tracy wanted Danny Coulombe to face Rice and Ben grounded back to the mound to end the inning with the Yankees down 4-3.

                                                     Goldschmidt drives in a run

Tim Hill came in to pitch the bottom of the seventh and Abreu flied out to left to start. Contreras flied out to right and Duran flied out to center to end the inning.

Garrett "The Lock" Whitlock came in to pitch the top of the eighth and Rosario struck out swinging to start. Bellinger flied out to right and Dominguez popped up to third to end the inning. The Sox struck again in the bottom of the eighth with Yerry De Los Santos now on the mound. Durbin walked and Seigler got a base hit to right. Andruw Monasterio ran for Seigler and Narvaez dropped down a bunt...booted by De Los Santos for an error to load the bases. Naturally Mayer popped up to short and Ryan Yarbrough was brought in to face Yoshida. Sox manager Chad Tracy countered by pinch hitting Nate Eaton and it looked like he was hit with a pitch but the umpire said strike three. The Sox challenged and sure enough, Eaton WAS hit to score Durbin. Rafaela beat out a double play ball to score Monasterio but Abreu popped up to second to end the inning with the Sox up 6-3.

                                                      Eaton draws a bases loaded HBP

Aroldis Chapman came in to pitch the top of the ninth and Volpe walked on ball four that should have been strike three. Red Sox pitching coach Andrew Bailey popped up to call first base umpire Tyler Jones a "fucking piece of shit" and got tossed from the game.

                                                "You (censored) piece of (censored)!" - AB

Chisholm forced Volpe at second but Caballero got a base hit to left and Max Schuemann pinch hit for Wells. Schuemann flied out to right but Goldschmidt beat out a roller to third to load the bases. Spencer Jones ran for Goldschmidt but Rice grounded back to Chapman to end the game. The Sox had won it 6-3.

                                                               Sox win

Hero of The Night is Caleb Durbin. His two run homer proved to be the difference in the game.

                                                       Durbin Hero

The Good:

Nate Eaton drew a bases loaded HBP in the eighth inning.

Jarren Duran was 1 for 3 with an rbi.

Anthony Seigler was 2 for 4.

Andruw Monasterio scored a run as a pinch runner.

Carlos Narvaez was 1 for 2 with a hit by pitch.

Connelly Early got the win by tossing 6 innings of 2 run ball allowing 5 hits and a walk while striking out 9.

Danny Coulombe got the final out of the seventh inning.

Garrett Whitlock pitched a scoreless eighth inning.

Aroldis Chapman earned his 15th save with a scoreless ninth inning.

The Bad:

Wilyer Abreu was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

Marcelo Mayer was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Greg Weissert allowed a run in the seventh inning.

The Ugly:

Masataka Yoshida was 0 for 3 with a strikeout but walked and scored a run.

Ceddanne Rafaela was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but drove in a run, stole a base and scored a run.

Willson Contreras 0 for 4 with a strikeout but scored a run.

Final Thoughts:

The Sox as a team are at a crossroads because half the fanbase wants to blow it all up and the other half thinks they can go on a run if they get injured guys back healthy. The glass half empty are the fans saying Roman Anthony, Trevor Story, Garrett Crochet, Romy Gonzalez, Patrick Sandoval, Kutter Crawford and Tanner Houck are never coming back so they may as well sell guys like Sonny Gray, Chapman & Contreras and eat Yoshida's contract. The glass half full is if those guys did return, and played well, they're right back in the thick of things. The problem plaguing the Sox all season is bad offense and the hot streak of Caleb Durbin came at a big time. Trevor Story came out and said he'll be ready by the All-Star Break while Sandoval is the only one who's rehab is actually going according to plan. The bottom line is if the offense fixes itself, they're a contender. If it doesn't, bye bye Breslow and the 2026 season. Tonight's game did feel good after dropping 2 of 3 to Colorado, especially Early outpitching Schlittler. Even if 2026 remains in the toilet, the future does look bright with Early, Payton Tolle, Jake Bennett and a healthy (we hope) Garrett Crochet & Ranger Suarez. The win improved the Sox to 33-46, good for last place in the AL East. The Sox look to make it two in a row against the Yankees tomorrow night when Payton Tolle (3-5, 3.08 ERA) takes on Will Warren of New York. The game begins at 7:10 PM at Fenway Park.

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.

Rangers Bash Early, Sox (6/14/26)

Who needs momentum when youre the 2026 Boston Red Sox? After losing 4 in a row to the Tampa Bay Rays and New York Yankees the Sox took the first two games of the following series with the Texas Rangers. Rather than get a crucial sweep, the Sox fell flat on their face against old pal Nathan Eovaldi and the Rangers. Connelly Early (5-5, 3.81 ERA) got rocked by the Rangers for 6 runs and 11 hits in just 4 2/3 innings. Meanwhile Eovaldi tossed 7 strong innings allowing just 3 runs. The Sox rallied for a run in the eighth and had the tying run on, but couldn't deliver the knockout blow. The Rangers had won the game 6-4 at Fenway Park.

                                                    The Red Sox season is on life support

The carnage started immediately in the top of the first as Wyatt Langford hit the first pitch of the game into the Charles River to put the Rangers up for good 1 pitch into the game. Josh Jung singled to left but Brandon Nimmo flied out to left. Ezequiel Duran took strike three and Jake Burger struck out swinging to end the inning with the Rangers up 1-0.

                                                           That didn't take long

Eovaldi got the ball in the bottom of the first and Masataka Yoshida struck out swinging to start. Ceddanne Rafaela struck out swinging and Wilyer Abreu lined out to right to end the inning.

The Rangers pounded Early in the top of the second as Justin Foscue got a base hit to center to start. Cody Freeman got a base hit to center and Kyle Higashioka hit a three run homer all the way to Soviet Russia to ice the game. Alejandro Osuna grounded back to the mound, Langford flied out to left and Jung lined out to second to end the inning with the Rangers up 4-0.

                                                           This one's over

The Sox did rally in the bottom of the second as Willson Contreras belted his 15th home run of the year to start. Jarren Duran lined out to left but Caleb Durbin walked. Isiah Kiner-Falefa beat out a roller to second and a wild pitch moved both runners over. Marcelo Mayer grounded out to first to score Durbin to cut the lead in half. Carlos Narvaez grounded out to third to end the inning with the Sox down 4-2.

                                                  Contreras gets the Wally Head

Nimmo grounded out to first to start the top of the third and Duran took strike three. Burger doubled to left and Foscue beat out a roller to third to move Jake to third. Freeman popped up to second to end the inning. Yoshida doubled to right to start the bottom of the third and moved to third on the grounder to third by Rafaela. Abreu somehow hit into a 3-2 double play to end the inning. 

The Rangers iced the game in the top of the fourth as Higashioka grounded out to first to start. Osuna singled in the hole at short, Langford walked and Jung walked to load the bases. Nimmo doubled to center to score both Osuna and Langford to put the game out of reach. Duran grounded out to third and Burger popped up to first to end the inning with the Rangers ahead 6-2.

                                                    Nimmo says "that should do it"

Contreras took strike three to start the bottom of the fourth but Duran got a base hit to right. Naturally Durbin grounded into a double play to end the inning. 

The Rangers finished off Early in the top of the fifth as Foscue got a base hit to center to start. Freeman got a base hit to left off the globe of Durbin but Higashioka popped up to short. Osuna popped up to short and that was it for Early. He lasted just 4 2/3 innings allowing 6 hits off 11 hits and 2 walks. Greg Weissert came in to freeze Langford for strike three to end the inning.

                                                            Early didn't have it tonight

Kiner popped up to short to start the bottom of the fifth but Mayer got a base hit to center. Narvaez and Yoshida both went down hacking to end the inning.

Jung flied out to center to start the top of the sixth but Nimmo doubled to center. Duran grounded out to third to move Nimmo to third but Burger grounded out to third to end the inning. The Sox got a run in the bottom of the sixth as Rafaela grounded out to short to start. Abreu flied out to left but Contreras jacked his 16th home run of the season to cut the lead in half.  Duran grounded back to the mound to end the inning with the Sox down 6-3.

                                                         Sox aren't dead yet

Ryan Watson came in to pitch the top of the seventh with Nicky Lopez pinch hitting for Foscue. Lopez lined out to left and Freeman grounded back to the mound. Higashioka singled to left but Osuna flied out to left to end the inning. Durbin grounded out to third to begin the bottom of the seventh and Kiner grounded out to short. Mayer struck out swinging to end the inning. Eovaldi had tossed 7 innings allowing just 3 runs, and ex-Sox GM Chaim Bloom thought he was washed four years ago. Ugh....

Langford hit one up the elevator shaft to start the top of the eighth but Jung was hit with a pitch. Nimmo flied out to center and Duran struck out swinging to end the inning. Jakob Junis came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth and Narvaez struck out swinging to start. Yoshida got a base hit to right and moved to second on a grounder to short by Rafaela. Abreu got a base hit to right to score Yoshida and Contreras got a base hit to left to put the tying run at first. Jacob Latz came in to face Duran and Jarren grounded out to first to end the inning with the Sox down 6-4.

                                                                Abreu drives in a run

Tommy Kahnle came in to pitch the top of the ninth and Burger struck out swinging to start. Lopez grounded out to first but Freeman walked. Joc Pederson pinch hit for Higashioka and forced Freeman at second to end the inning. The Sox haven't won a game trailing by multiple runs or going into the ninth all season as Elias Diaz took over behind the plate for the bottom of the ninth. Durbin took strike three, Kiner popped up to first and Andruw Monasterio pinch hit for Marcelo Mayer. Monasterio struck out swinging to end the game. The Rangers had won it 6-4.

                                                                 Rangers win

Jackass of The Night is Connelly Early. He allowed 6 runs in 4 2/3 innings off 11 hits and 2 walks to put the Sox in a hole they couldn't climb out of.

                                                             Connelly Jackass

The Good:

Masataka Yoshida was 2 for 4 with a run scored.

Willson Contreras was 3 for 4 with two solo home runs.

Marcelo Mayer was 1 for 3 with an rbi.

Greg Weissert tossed 1 1/3 scoreless innings.

Ryan Watson pitched 2 scoreless innings.

Tommy Kahnle pitched a scoreless ninth inning.

The Bad:

Ceddanne Rafaela was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Andruw Monasterio struck out as a pinch hitter.

Carlos Narvaez was 0 for 3 with 2 strikeouts.

The Ugly:

Wilyer Abreu was just 1 for 4 with an rbi.

Jarren Duran was just 1 for 4.

Caleb Durbin was 0 for 3 with a strikeout but walked and scored a run.

Isiah Kiner-Falefa was just 1 for 4.

Final Thoughts:

This might be the most gutless Red Sox team in history. They haven't won a game all season trailing by multiple runs or going into the ninth all season and we're halfway through June. The 1992, 2000 and 2014 Red Sox teams were offensively challenged but not like this. You get a lead on them late and the game is over. You'd think law of averages would have ONE relief pitcher having an off-night in the ninth but nope, they've been perfect all year. The worst part is Early might have hit the rookie wall and with Garrett Crochet out, the Sox might be in trouble. Who knows if Patrick Sandoval will ever pitch again or if Brayan Bello is mentally recovered enough. The worst part is there's still 93 games remaining in the season and Sox fans want to blow it all up. Who can blame them? This year has been a complete disaster. The loss dropped the Sox to 29-40, good for last place in the AL East. After an off-day tomorrow the Sox are back in action Tuesday night at home against the Toronto Blue Jays. Boston's Peyton Tolle (3-3) takes on Dylan Cease of the Jays at 7:10 PM at Fenway Park.

Rays Bullpen Shuts Down Sox (6/8/26)

Before the game the Boston Red Sox made a roster move. Joe La Sorsa was sent back to Worcester after one disastrous outing and speedster Nate Eaton was called up from Worcester. At least Sox GM Craig Breslow realized he screwed up and fixed it. When healthy Eaton is a base threat and hopefully they can get something out of him.

                                                                           OUT

                                                                            IN

As for the game, another unmitigated disaster from the worst offense in all of baseball. Facing  Ian Seymour and the Tampa Bay Rays bullpen, the Red Sox scored just 1 measly run and scratched out just 4 hits. Connelly Early (5-4, 3.30 ERA) was the hard luck loser as he gave up a first inning home run to Yandy Diaz. Somehow Marcelo Mayer hit a home run against Seymour in the top of the third but a Jonathan Aranda rbi single in the fifth was all the Rays needed. Not only were the Sox held to just 4 hits they only had 1 walk as a team as well. A Diaz sac fly in the bottom of the eighth off Danny Coulombe was the insurance run as the Rays won this one 3-1 at Tropicana Field.

                                                       "Only one run......"

Seymour got the ball in the top of the first inning and Jarren Duran struck out swinging to start. Ceddanne Rafaela grounded out to third and Wilyer Abreu struck out swinging to end the inning. Early got the ball in the bottom of the first and Yandy Diaz hit the first pitch he saw out of the yard to put the Rays up one batter into the first inning. Austin Slater struck out swinging, Junior Caminero grounded out to third but Ryan Vilade got a base hit to center. Jonathan Aranda struck out swinging to end the inning with the Rays ahead 1-0.

                                                                Diaz jacks one

Willson Contreras flied out to right to start the top of the second and Mickey Gasper popped up to first. Caleb Durbin walked but Isiah Kiner-Falefa lined out to left to end the inning. Ben Williamson struck out swinging to start the bottom of the second and Taylor Walls did the same. Nick Fortes was hit with a pitch and Cedric Mullins caught the Sox asleep with a bunt single to the mound. Diaz walked to load the bases but Slater lined out to center to end the inning.

The Sox struck back in the top of the third inning as Marcelo Mayer launched his third home run of the season to tie the game. Carlos Narvaez hit one up the elevator shaft and Duran struck out swinging. Rafaela flied out to right to end the inning with the game tied 1-1.

                                                                 Mayer ties it up

Caminero walked to start the bottom of the third and Vilade walked as well. Aranda grounded into a double play and Williamson grounded out to third to end the inning.

Abreu struck out swinging to start the top of the fourth and Contreras popped up to third. Gasper took strike three to end the inning. Walls flied out to right to start the bottom of the fourth and Fortes struck out swinging. Mullins walked and Diaz popped up to second to end the inning.

Casey Legumina came in to pitch the top of the fifth and Durbin grounded out to third to start. Kiner took strike three and Mayer grounded out to third to end the inning. The Rays finished off Early in the bottom of the fifth as Slater beat out a roller to third to start. Slater stole second but Caminero struck out swinging. Rafaela made a great sliding catch on a Vilade fly ball to center but a wild pitch moved Slater to third. Aranda got a base hit to left to score Slater and chase Early. He wasn't sharp at all allowing 2 runs in 4 2/3 innings off 5 hits and 4 walks. Tyron Guerrero came in to strike out Williamson swinging to end the inning with the Rays up 2-1.

                                                           Early wasn't the sharpest

Narvaez grounded out to third to start the top of the sixth and old pal Cam Booser came in to face Duran. Jarren struck out swinging but Rafaela got a base hit to right. Rafaela was thrown out at second trying to steal to end the inning. Walls flied out to center to start the bottom of the sixth but Fortes got a base hit in the hole at third. Mullins struck out swinging and Diaz grounded out to first to end the inning.

Abreu popped up to third to start the top of the seventh and Kevin Kelly came in to face Contreras. Willson was hit with a pitch and Gasper got a base hit to center, but Durbin took strike three. A wild pitch moved both runners over but Kier grounded out to third to end the inning. Greg Weissert came in to pitch the bottom of the seventh and Richie Palacios pinch hit for Slater. Palacios struck out swinging but Caminero singled to center. Victor Mesa Jr pinch hit for Vilade and walked. Danny Coulombe came in to pitch and Chandler Simpson ran for Caminero. Aranda flied out to left and Williamson did the same to end the inning.

Garrett Cleavinger came in to pitch the top of the eighth and Andruw Monasterio pinch hit for Mayer. Monasterio took strike three, Narvaez grounded out to short and Duran popped up to short to end the inning. The Rays iced the game in the bottom of the eighth as Walls walked to start. Walls stole second and moved to third on the grounder to the mound by Fortes. Mullins walked and Alec Gamboa was brought in face Diaz. Yandy hit a sac fly to center and Palacios struck out swinging to end the inning with the Rays up 3-1.

                                                                   Sac fly for Diaz

Bryan Baker came in to pitch the top of the ninth and Rafaela grounded out to third to start. Rafaela grounded out to third but Abreu singled to right. Contreras struck out swinging to end the game. The Rays had won it 3-1.

                                                                Rays win

Jackass of The Night is Danny Coulombe. Not that the Sox were scoring much but being down one in the ninth is different than two, and his run allowed hurt.

                                                                Jackass Coulombe

The Good:

Marcelo Mayer was 1 for 2 with a home run.

Tyron Guerrero tossed 1 1/3 scoreless innings.

Greg Weissert got the first out of the seventh

The Bad:

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

Isiah Kiner-Falefa was 0 for 3 with a strikeout but walked.

Andrew Monasterio struck out in his only at-bat.

Carlos Narvaez was 0 for 3.

The Ugly:

Ceddanne Rafael was just 1 for 4.

Wilyer Abreu was just 1 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

Willson Contreras was 0 for 3 with a strikeout but was hit with a pitch. 

Mickey Gasper was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout.

Caleb Durbin was 0 for 2 with a strikeout but walked.

Connelly Early took the loss but allowed just 2 runs in 4 2/3 innings off 5 hits and 4 walks.

Alec Gamboa allowed an inherited runner to score but none of his own in 2/3 of an inning.

Final Thoughts:

Just when you think the Sox can't get any worse, they lay an egg on the road where they've played better than they have at home. Can't even blame Connelly Early because scoring 1 run isn't going to cut it. Unlike previous game where they leave a ton of men on base and go 0-fer with runners in scoring position, they got their lunch handed to them in this one. They had just 4 hits the entire game and against the Rays bullpen, that's not good. This offense has been historically bad and the main reason why they're in last place just 8 days into June. Jarren Duran had a good month of May but is only hitting .208 with Caleb Durbin .190 and Carlos Narvaez .209. If those guys cant turn it around this season is basically over already. Still, they're only eight days into June so a comeback is possible, it just seems very unlikely until the bats get their heads out of their collective asses. The only bright spots in the game were Mayer's home run and Tyron Guerrero throwing gas. Other than that, this is another game to forget. The loss dropped the Sox to 27-37, good for last place in the AL East. The Sox look to bounce back tomorrow against the Rays when Payton Tolle (3-2) takes on Nick Martinez of Tampa Bay. The game begins at 6:40 PM at Tropicana Field.