Red Sox Bash White Sox Late (7/7/26)

Yesterday the Boston Red Sox made a big roster move. Patrick Sandoval was activated from the Injured List to make his long awaited debut for Boston. In his place Alec Gamboa was sent down to Worcester and Jack Anderson was designated for assignment. Anderson was expendable and the Sox desperately need Sandoval now with Ranger Suarez nursing a pulled groin and Connelly Early all but officially needing Tommy John surgery.

                                                                     OUT

                                                                      IN

As for the game, don't look now but the Red Sox have won 9 in a row, a lot of them in impressive fashion. Tonight they showed their strength against the Chicago White Sox and some familiar faces. The BoSox jumped on Chicago starter Noah Schultz in the second inning with home runs from Andruw Monasterio and Ceddanne Rafaela to take a 3-0 lead. A Connor Wong bunt in the fourth made it 4-0 and Payton Tolle (5-6, 3.14 ERA) was up to the task, firing 6 shutout innings allowing just 2 hits. The White Sox rallied against Danny Coulombe for a run in the seventh but the three headed monster of Justin Slaten, Garrett Whitlock and Aroldis Chapman locked it down. A four run rally in the ninth was a big bonus as the Red Sox ran away with this one 8-1 at Comiskey Park.

                                                Erling Haaland approves of the win

Things went south right from the start as Schultz got the ball in the top of the first inning. Anthony Seigler got a base hit to center and Ceddanne Rafaela singled in the hole at first. Wilyer Abreu flied out to center but Willson Contreras walked to load the bases. Naturally Romy Gonzalez struck out swinging and Caleb Durbin lined out to right to end the inning. Tolle got the ball in the bottom of the first and Miguel Vargas walked. Randal Grichuk struck out swinging and Colson Montgomery forced Vargas at second. Old farmhand Chase Meidroth flied out to center to end the inning.

Jarren Duran struck out swinging to start the top of the second but Andruw Monasterio belted his fourth home run of the year to put the Sox on top. Connor Wong caught Montgomery at third asleep with a bunt single but Seigler flied out to center. Rafaela then pounded his eighth home run of the year to increase the lead. Abreu popped up to second to end the inning with the BoSox ahead 3-0.

                                                            Boston on the board

Sam Antonacci got a base hit in the hole at second to start the bottom of the second but Junior Perez popped up to short. Old farmhand Kyle Teel lined out to short but Antonacci stole second. Luisangel Acuna flied out to center to end the inning. 

Contreras ripped a base hit to right to start the top of the third but Gonzalez took strike three. Durbin flied out to right and Contreras was thrown out at second trying to steal to end the inning. Tristan Peters took strike three to start the bottom of the third and Vargas popped up to short. Grichuk popped up to second to end the inning.

The Sox struck again in the top of the fourth as Duran doubled to left to start. Duran took third on a wild pitch and Monasterio walked. Wong dropped down a bunt and Vargas threw home...away from Teel. Duran scored but Wong overran first and was caught in no man's land. Monasterio took off but he got caught in the rundown for the second out. Seigler popped up to first and Rafaela lined out to right to end the inning with the BoSox up 4-0.

                                                            At least Duran scored

Montgomery grounded out to second to start the bottom of the fourth and Meidroth grounded out to third. Antonacci got a base hit to left but Perez flied out to right to end the inning.

Abreu was hit with a pitch to start the top of the fifth but Contreras flied out to left. Abreu was thrown out at second trying to steal but Gonzalez walked. Durbin lined out to center to end the inning. Teel struck out swinging to start the bottom of the fifth and Acuna struck out swinging. Peters popped up to third to end the inning.

Seranthony Dominguez came in to pitch the top of the sixth and Antonacci reached over the wall to rob Duran of a home run to start. Monasterio got a base hit to left and immediately stole second. Wong walked but Seigler took strike three. Rafaela struck out swinging to end the inning. Tolle returned for one final inning in the bottom of the sixth and Vargas took strike three to start. Grichuk struck out swinging and Montgomery flied out to right to end the inning. That was it for Tolle who was masterful, tossing 6 shutout innings allowing just 2 hits and a walk.

                                                          Tolle was outstanding

Old pal Jordan Hicks came in to pitch the top of the seventh and Abreu struck out swinging to start. Contreras went down hacking and Gonzalez grounded out to short to end the inning. Where the hell was that last year? Danny Coulombe came in to crap his pants in the bottom of the seventh as Meidroth walked to start. Antonacci got a base hit to left an Perez beat out a roller to first to load the bases with nobody out. Teel beat out a double play ball to score Meidroth and chase Coulombe. Justin "Incinerator" Slaten came in and Jacob Gonzalez pinch hit for Acuna. Gonzalez struck out swinging and Peters did the same to end the inning with Chicago down 4-1.

                                                    Too bad Boston had to give him up

Brandon Eisert came in to pitch the top of the eighth and Durbin lined out to third to start. Duran grounded out to second and Monasterio flied out to right to end the inning. Garrett "The Lock" Whitlock came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth and Vargas flied out to center to start. Old friend Andrew Benintendi pinch hit for Grichuk and grounded out to second. Montgomery lined out to left to end the inning.

The Sox exploded in the top of the ninth as Wong walked to start. Seigler lined out to right and Rafaela flied out to right, but Abreu walked. Contreras doubled to left to score both runners and Gonzalez doubled to right to score Willson. Trevor Richards came in to face Durbin and Caleb walked. Duran lined a base hit up the middle to score Gonzalez but Monasterio struck out swinging to end the inning with the BoSox up 8-1.

                                                       Duran is all fired up

Ryan Watson came in to close out the bottom of the ninth and Meidroth flied out to left to start. Antonacci was finally retired by taking strike three and Perez struck out swinging to end the game. The Red Sox had won it 8-1.

                                                           Sox win

Hero of The Night is Payton Tolle. He tossed 6 shutout innings allowing just 2 hits and a walk while striking out six.

                                                          Hero Tolle

The Good:

Ceddanne Rafaela was 2 for 5 with a 2 run home run.

Willson Contreras was 2 for 4 with a walk, 2 rbis and a run scored.

Jarren Duran was 2 for 5 with an rbi and a run scored.

Andruw Monasterio was 2 for 4 with a walk, home run and stolen base.

Connor Wong was 1 for 1 with 2 walks, an rbi and a run scored.

Justin Slaten got the final two outs of the seventh inning.

Garrett Whitlock pitched a scoreless eighth inning.

Ryan Watson pitched a scoreless ninth inning.

The Bad:

Danny Coulombe allowed a run in 1/3 of an inning.

The Ugly:

Anthony Seigler was just 1 for 5 with a strikeout.

Wilyer Abreu was 0 for 3 with a strikeout but walked, was hit with a pitch and scored a run.

Romy Gonzalez was just 1 for 4 with 2 strikeouts but walked, drove in a run and scored a run.

Caleb Durbin was 0 for 4 but walked.

Final Thoughts:

Its about time they pulled away late in a close game because it saves wear and tear on All-Star Aroldis Chapman. The offense was a well oiled machine in this one getting clutch hits by just about everyone. I said back in May the Red Sox were mediocre pitching from being the worst team in baseball but simultaneously a good offense from being one of the best. If the offense with Seigler hitting leadoff, Durbin picking it up and Connor Wong not completely useless anymore continues this trend, the Sox might have a run back into contention in them. Tolle shook off his Washington disaster to allow just 3 baserunners but the lone blemish of the night is the current one weakness off the Sox, middle relief. The two losses they had to the Nationals and one of the losses to the Rockies came due to bad middle relief pitching. The good news is reinforcements could be on their way with the return of Patrick Sandoval and Tyler Samaniego is only a bus ride away in Worcester. The Sox can trade a low level prospect for a middle relief pitcher. Back in the day all they needed was to send a brown sack full of money to get Yacksel Rios or Jorge Alcala. They won't have to give up Franklin Arias or Anthony Eyanson to get someone that can get some outs in the 5th and 6th innings when trailing or the starter left early. All in all this was a great win and the best part is the Baltimore Orioles also lost. That means for one day at least the Sox are no longer in last place. The win improved the Sox to 41-48, 12 games behind the Tampa Bay Rays for first place in the AL East. The Sox look to make it five straight wins and two in a row against Chicago tomorrow night when Jake Bennett (3-3, 3.10 ERA) takes on Chicago's ace Davis Martin. The game begins at 7:40 PM eastern time at Comiskey Park.

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.

Contreras, Sox Tame Nationals (6/29/26)

It was an emotional night for the Boston Red Sox as they won their fifth straight game, but it was almost ruined. With the recent natural disaster in Venezuela fresh in everyone's minds, it was the Venezuelan born Willson Contreras provided the spark against the Washington Nationals. Ranger Suarez (4-3, 2.94 ERA) allowed a first inning home run to James Wood but Contreras blasted a three run bomb off Washington starter Miles Mikolas. Caleb Durbin followed with a home run of his own but then first base umpire Nic Lentz tossed Contreras from the game for tapping his helmet. That did little to derail the momentum as fellow Venezuelans Carlos Narvaez and Wilyer Abreu both drove in runs. The Nationals rallied for a pair of runs in the sixth but the Sox bullpen saved the day. Garrett Whitlock earned his first save of the season and the Sox won their fifth straight game with a 6-3 victory over the Nationals at Fenway Park.

                                                     Taylor Gunner approves of the win

Suarez got the ball in the top of the first and James Wood hit a home run all the way to Cuba to put the Nats up just 3 pitches into the game. Andres Chaparro flied out to center amd Curtis Mead took strike three. CJ Abrams struck out swinging to end the inning with the Nationals up 1-0.

                                                          That didn't take long

The Sox answered as Mikolas got the ball in the bottom of the first. Masataka Yoshida flied out to left but Ceddanne Rafaela got a base hit in the hole at short. Rafaela moved to third on the base hit to center by Wilyer Abreu but Willson Contreras belted his 18th home run of the season to put the Sox on top. Jarren Duran struck out swinging but Caleb Durbin clobbered his 7th home run of the season to increase the lead. Anthony Seigler got a base hit to center but Carlos Narvaez struck out swinging to end the inning with the Sox ahead 4-1.

                                                   Abreu & Contreras make Venezuela proud

Dylan Crews grounded out to short to start the top of the second and Jacob Young took strike three. Luis Garcia Jr grounded out to second to end the inning. Tsung-Che Cheng singled to center to start the bottom of the second and Yoshida got a base hit to center. Rafaela got a base hit to right to load the bases and Abreu hit a sac fly to left to score Cheng. Contreras struck out swinging and apparently tapped his helmet. That was enough for first base umpire Nic Lentz to toss him from the game and Sox manager Chad Tracy was livid. How can you run a player on this night with everything going on for something like THAT? Duran lined out to second to end the inning with the Sox up 5-1.

                                             "ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND??" - CT

Andruw Monasterio took over for Contreras to start the top of the third. Nasim Nunez struck out swinging, Keibert Ruiz grounded out to third and Wood was retired on a squibber in front of the plate to end the inning. Durbin lined out to left to start the bottom of the third but Seigler doubled to center. Seigler stole third and scored on the sac fly to right by Narvaez. Cheng grounded out to second to end the inning with the Sox up 6-1.

                                                              Narvaez gets a big hand

Chaparro walked to start the top of the fourth but Mead took strike three. Abrams struck out swinging and Crews grounded out to third to end the inning. Yoshida popped up to first to start the bottom of the fourth and Rafaela lined out to right. Abreu grounded out to second to end the inning. 

Young struck out swinging to start the top of the fifth and Garcia grounded to first. Nunez grounded out to third to end the inning. Monasterio grounded out to short to start the bottom of the fifth and Duran grounded out to first. Durbin grounded out to short to end the inning. 

The Nationals rallied in the top of the sixth as Ruiz singled to left to start. Wood took strike three but Chaparro got a base hit to center and Mead did the same to load the bases. Abrams doubled down the right field line to score Ruiz and Chaparro, but Crews lined out to second. Young grounded back to the mound to end the inning with the Nationals down 6-3. That was it for Suarez who allowed 3 runs in 6 innings off 5 hits and a walk.

                                                         Suarez with the quality start

Seigler grounded out to short to start the bottom of the sixth and Narvaez flied out to right. Cheng grounded out to first to end the inning. 

Danny Coulombe came in to pitch the top of the seventh and naturally Garcia walked to start. Nunez walked....no wait, Sox manager Chad Tracy challenged the ball was a foul tip. Somehow the call was overturned and Nunez grounded into a double play. Ruiz popped up to second to end the inning. Yoshida flied out to left to start the bottom of the seventh and Rafaela grounded out to third. Abreu grounded out to second to end the inning. 

Tyron "El Lanzallama" Guerrero came in to pitch the top of the eighth and Wood struck out swinging to start. Jose Tena pinch hit for Chaparro and struck out swinging, but Mead beat out a roller to third. Abrams lined out to center to end the inning. Zak Kent came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth and Monasterio flied out to center to start. Duran struck out swinging but Durbin walked....only to get picked off to end the inning.

Garrett "The Lock" Whitlock came in to close out the top of the ninth and Crews struck out swinging to start. Daylen Lile pinch hit for Young and popped up to third. Naturally Garcia Jr got a base hit to right and Jorbit Vivas pinch hit for Nunez. Vivas struck out swinging to end the game. The Sox had won the game 6-3.

                                                          Sox win

Hero of the Night is Willson Contreras. His 3 run homer was for all of Venezuela and it inspired the Sox to victory. 

                                                                 Hero Contreras 

The Good:

Ceddanne Rafaela was 2 for 4 with a run scored.

Wilyer Abreu was 1 for 3 with an rbi and a run scored.

Caleb Durbin was 1 for 3 with a walk including a home run.

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

Tsung-Che Cheng was 1 for 3 with a run scored.

Ranger Suarez got the win by allowing just 3 runs in 6 innings off 5 hits and a walk while striking out 8.

Danny Coulombe pitched a scoreless seventh inning.

Tyron Guerrero tossed a scoreless eighth inning.

Garrett Whitlock earned his first save of the year with a scoreless ninth inning.

The Bad:

Andruw Monasterio was 0 for 2.

Jarren Duran was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

The Ugly:

Masataka Yoshida was just 1 for 4.

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

Final Thoughts:

That was a big win both for the team but for Venezuela as well. Abreu, Contreras, Narvaez, Suarez and Monasterio were all effected and condolences to former Sox player Gorkys Hernandez who lost his wife as well. With that said, normally you don't bitch about umpires too much but if I were Chad Tracy I'd lodge a formal complaint with MLB over Nic Lentz. Imagine if the umpire ran Daniel Nava from the game back in 2013 after he hit his famous "Boston this is for you" home run. Or if the umpire ran David Ortiz after his grand slam in 2013. Nevertheless, it was the Venezuelans that were the heroes tonight. Suarez pitched well, Contreras hit the big home runs, Narvaez and Abreu drove in runs and Monasterio filled in for Willson after he was tossed. Anthony Seigler is looking more and more like 1990 Jody Reed every day and it most likely won't last, but still fun to watch. Whitlock earned his first save of the season tonight and what a difference five days makes. Coming off the loss to the Colorado Rockies it was sell the team, sell everyone on the team, burn Fenway to the ground, dogs and cats living together mass hysteria. Now fans are saying if they can get certain guys back healthy, the playoffs are in sight. The next loss will most likely bring back the "blow up the team and sell it" crowd but for five days, at least this was fun to watch. The win improved the Sox to 37-46, good for last place in the AL East. The Sox look to win their sixth straight game and second in a row against Washington tomorrow night when Connelly Early (7-5, 3.59 ERA) goes head to head with Cade Cavalli of the Nationals. The game begins at 7:10 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.

Rockies Rally Past Sox Again (6/24/26)

Now it may be a good time to hit the eject button on the 2026 Boston Red Sox. After being embarrassed by getting walked off Monday night by the worst team in baseball, the Sox topped it by getting pantsed in the later innings again by the Colorado Rockies. Ranger Suarez held the Rockies to just 3 runs in six innings as the Sox built a comfortable 6-3 lead with home runs from Connor Wong and Andruw Monasterio. Then with 2 outs in the bottom of the seventh Marcelo Mayer booted a routine grounder by Hunter Goodman for an error. The Rockies pounced by scoring three runs off Luis Guerrero and Danny Coulombe to tie the game. Then the Rockies got two more against Justin Slaten (0-4, 6.48 ERA) to put them up for good. Jimmy Herget slammed the door in the ninth inning and the Rockies stole another one 8-6 at Coors Field.

                                                        "Dammit, dammit, dammit....."

Freeland got the ball to start the top of the first inning and Nate Eaton led off by flying out to right. Ceddanne Rafaela made it all the way to third on a fielding error by Willi Castro but naturally Wilyer Abreu grounded out to second. Also naturally Willson Contreras....somehow doubled to center to score Rafaela. Caleb Durbin grounded out to third to end the inning with the Sox up 1-0.

                                                            Contreras drives in a run

Suarez got the ball in the bottom of the first and Castro got a base hit to center to start. Tyler Freeman struck out swinging, TJ Rumfield flied out to center and Hunter Goodman struck out swinging to end the inning.

The Sox struck again in the top of the second as Anthony Seigler got a base hit to center to start. Andruw Monasterio struck out swinging but Connor Wong belted his first home run since September 2024 to increase the lead. Carlos Narvaez struck out swinging and Eaton flied out to center to end the inning with the Sox up 3-0.

                                                              First of the year for Wong

Cole Carrigg took strike three to start the bottom of the second but Jake McCarthy got a base hit to left. Braxton Fulford popped up to second and Ezequiel Tovar flied out to left to end the inning.

Rafaela led off the top of the third with a double to left but Abreu lined out to center. Contreras grounded out to short to move Ceddanne to third but Durbin grounded out to first to end the inning, hurting himself on a slide forcing him to come out of the game. Marcelo Mayer came in for Durbin to start the bottom of the third and naturally Seigler threw a routine grounder away by Kyle Karros for an error. Castro forced Karros at second but Freeman got a base hit to left. Rumfield doubled to right to score Castro and Goodman walked to load the bases. Carrigg dropped a base hit to right but Goodman was thrown out at second waiting to see if it was dropped to score Freeman. McCarthy forced Carrigg at second to end the inning although Mayer threw the ball to first anyway, forgetting there were two outs. They looked ridiculous out there but the Rockies were still down 3-2.

                                                     "There's two outs, pendejo!" - Suarez

The Sox got the runs back in the top of the fourth as Seigler grounded out to short to start. Monasterio blasted his third home run of the season to increase the lead and Wong got a base hit to center but Narvaez flied out to center. Eaton walked and Rafaela got a base a base hit to left to score Wong. Abreu grounded out to first to end the inning with the Sox ahead 5-2.

                                                           Sox tack it on

Fulford took strike three to start the bottom of the fourth and Tovar struck out swinging. Naturally Karros got a base hit in the hole at second, Castro got a base hit to right and Freeman blooped a base hit to center to score Karros. Rumfield struck out swinging to end the inning with the Rockies down 5-3.

                                                      Rockies inch closer

The Sox got another run in the top of the fifth as Contreras struck out swinging to start. Mayer doubled to center and Seigler doubled to left to score him. Monasterio flied out to right and Wong did the same to end the inning with the Sox up 6-3.

                                                          Seigler drives in a run

Goodman struck out swinging to start the bottom of the fifth and Carrigg took strike three. McCarthy grounded out to third to end the inning.

Narvaez may have low key cost the Sox the game in the top of the sixth when it looked like he tripled on a bang bang play at third. The Rockies challenged he was out and sure enough, he was called out on the replay. Eaton lined out to left and Rafaela struck out swinging to end the inning. Had he remained at second base, this game might have gone different. Fulford took strike three to start the bottom of the sixth and Tovar flied out to center. Karros popped up to second to end the inning. That was it for Suarez who allowed 3 runs in 6 innings although only 1 was earned. He gave up 7 hits and a walk while striking out nine.

                                                          Suarez deserved a better fate

Antonio Senzatella came in to pitch the top of the seventh and Abreu struck out swinging to start. Contreras lined out to center and Mayer did the same to end the inning. Tyron Guerrero came in to pitch the bottom of the seventh and Castro struck out swinging to start. Freeman was hit with a pitch but Rumfield flied out to left. Goodman hit a routine grounder to Mayer.....booted for an error. The floodgates opened as Carrigg got a base hit to left to score Freeman and McCarthy got a base hit to right to score Goodman, moving Carrigg to third. Troy Johnston pinch hit for Fulford and Sox manager Chad Tracy countered by bringing in Danny Coulombe. The gamble failed as Johnston got a base hit to center to score Carrigg to tie the game. Tovar forced Johnston at second to end the inning with the game tied 6-6.

                                                           Rockies tie it up

Brett Sullivan took over for Johnston to start the top of the eighth and Seigler grounded out to third to start. Monasterio flied out to left and Wong struck out swinging to end the inning. Justin Slaten came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth and Mickey Moniak pinch hit for Karros. Moniak got a base hit to right and Castro singled off the glove of Monasterio to move Moniak to third. Freeman dropped down a sacrifice bunt to score Moniak to put Colorado ahead. Rumfield got a base hit to center to move Castro to third but Goodman lined out to second. Carrigg doubled to right to score Castro with the insurance run before McCarthy struck out swinging to end the inning with the Rockies ahead 8-6.

                                                      Carrigg drives in the big run

Jimmy Herget came in to close out the top of the ninth and Mickey Gasper pinch hit for Narvaez. Gasper struck out swinging, Eaton lined out to left and Rafaela struck out swinging to end the game. Once the game was tied not a single Sox batter reach base and they fell to 0-42 when trailing after 8 innings, losing this one 8-6.

                                                       Rockies win

Jackass of The Night is Marcelo Mayer. His error in the seventh opened the floodgates for the Rockies to steal the win.

                                                    Least the Jackass admits it

The Good:

Ceddanne Rafaela was 3 for 5 with an rbi and a run scored.

Anthony Seigler was 2 for 4 with an rbi and a run scored.

Connor Wong was 2 for 4 with a 2 run home run.

Carlos Narvaez was 1 for 3.

Ranger Suarez allowed just 3 runs in 6 innings off 7 hits and a walk while striking out 9.

The Bad:

Wilyer Abreu was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Caleb Durbin was 0 for 2.

Mickey Gasper struck out as a pinch hitter.

Tyron Guerrero allowed 3 runs in the eighth inning although none were technically earned.

Justin Slaten took the loss by allowing 2 runs in the bottom of the eighth.

The Ugly:

Nate Eaton was 0 for 4 but walked.

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

Andruw Monasterio was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but the one hit was a home run.

Danny Coulombe allowed an inherited runner to score but none of his own in 1/3 of an inning.

Final Thoughts:

Might be time to blow it up now. Not only losing two of three to the Rockies but HOW they lost the games is just flat out embarrassing. 8 straight hits on Monday night and two errors leading to five unearned runs and another comeback win for Colorado should be grounds for someone to be unemployed. Whether its Sox GM Craig Breslow or one of the players, losses like these can't happen. Seigler and Mayer booting grounders are going to happen but you expect your pitchers to work out of it and not melt into a puddle. It should never have come to Justin Slaten in the eighth but here we are. Now fans are revolting on just about anyone they can. All the injured players need to go because they're not coming back, all the guys on the team need to go because they suck and burn down the front office. Its the end of the world, the apocalypse, etc and honestly fans have every right to be upset. The fact the Red Sox medical staff and front office lie to our faces on a daily basis should be investigated by MLB but they wouldn't waste their time, especially if no rules were actually broken. If it wasn't for the World Cup, Fenway Park would be empty by now on a nightly basis. The Sox are last in the league in offense and now the bullpen is messed up with Slaten in a funk and Aroldis Chapman nursing a leg injury as well. In the words of Rick Sanchez "You know Morty, we should just blow it all up." The loss dropped the Sox to 32-46, good for last place in the AL East. If that wasn't bad enough, now the Sox home to face their personal babayaga Cam Schlittler and the New York Yankees. Standing in his way tomorrow night is Connelly Early in a re-match of last year's Game 3. It begins at 7:10 PM at Fenway Park.