Duran, Sox Slam Marlins in 11th (8/25/26)

As the legend of the 2026 Boston Red Sox builds, tonight another chapter in the incredible story was etched with a memorable victory over the Miami Marlins. The Sox struck first with a second inning home run off Miami starter Tyler Phillips. Sox starter Payton Tolle was superb through four innings but allowed a 5th inning run to tie it up. Gasper launched his second home run of the game in the top of the sixth but the Marlins knocked Tolle out with a run in the bottom of the sixth. Plunged into extra innings, the Sox took the lead in the top of the tenth when Connor Wong scored on a passed ball....only for Wong to allow a passed ball to score Brian Navarreto to tie the game in the bottom of the frame. Then with the bases loaded in the top of the eleventj, the much maligned Jarren Duran smashed a grand slam to put the Sox ahead. Alec Gamboa (1-0, 1.31 ERA) shut the door in the bottom half and the Sox had beaten the Marlins 7-3 in 11 innings.

                                                      Hex Hypoxia approves of the win

Phillips got the ball to start the top of the first inning and Nick Sogard took strike three to start. Ceddanne Rafaela struck out swinging and Wilyer Abreu also took strike three to end the inning. Tolle got the ball in the bottom of the first and Otto Lopez struck out swinging to start Heriberto Hernandez flied out to left and Agustin Ramirez struck out swinging to end the inning.

Willson Contreras grounded out to third to begin the top of the second but Mickey Gasper belted his fourth home run of the season to put the Sox on top. Andruw Monasterio got a base hit off Phillips but Jarren Duran struck out swinging. Anthony Siegler walked but Connor Wong grounded out to first to end the inning with the Sox up 1-0.

                                                           Gasper gets the Wally Head

Javier Sanjoa's bunt was snuffed out by Contreras to start the bottom of the second and Xavier Edwards grounded out to short. Leo Jimenez walked but Griffin Conine took strike three to end the inning.

Sogard flied out to left to start the top of the third and Rafaela grounded out to short. Abreu lined out to right to end the inning. Esteury Ruiz struck out swinging to start the bottom of the third and Brian Navarreto flied out to left. Lopez struck out swinging to end the inning.

The Sox blew a rally in the top of the fourth as Contreras got a base hit to left to start. Gasper walked but Monasterio beat out a double play ball to put runners at the corners. Duran struck out swinging and Seigler did the same to end the inning. Hernandez grounded out to short to start the bottom of the fourth and Ramirez struck out swinging. Sanoja flied out to center to end the inning,

Wongs truck out swinging to start the top of the fifth but Sogard walked. Rafaela flied out to center to chase Phillips. Victor Vodnik got Abreu to go down hacking to end the inning. The Marlins struck back in the bottom of the fifth as Edwards hit a ground rule double into the right field stands to start. Jimenez hit a grounder to second and Edwards was thrown out at third, but Conine got a base hit to right. Ruiz walked to load the bases and Navarreto hit a sac fly to center to score Jimenez. Lopez popped up to second to end the inning but the game was tied 1-1.

                                                             Navarreto ties it up

Tyler Zuber came in to pitch the top of the sixth and Contreras grounded out to third to start. Gasper then hammered his second home run of the game to put the Sox back on top. Monasterio flied out to center and Duran grounded back to the mound to end the inning with the Sox back in front 2-1.

                                                        Gasper does it again

The lead lasted 8 seconds as Hernandez hit one of the most effortless home runs in recorded history to begin the bottom of the sixth. Ramirez struck out swinging but Sanoja got a base hit to left to chase Tolle. Normally 5 1/3 and 2 runs allowed would be good, but blowing the lead twice wasn't a good look. Tyron "El Lanzallamas" Guerrero came in and Edwards walked. Jimenez lined out to second and Conine grounded out to first to end the inning with the game tied 2-2.

                                                   Tolle needed to be better

Jack Ralston came in to pitch the top of the seventh and Seigler popped up to second. Wong grounded out to short and Sogard grounded out to first to end the inning. Jakob Marsee pinch hit for Ruiz to start the bottom of the seventh and got a base hit to right to start. Navarreto dropped down a bunt to move Marsee to second and Lopez got a base hit in the hole at second. Marsee tried for home but Siegler gunned him down for the second out. Lopez stole second but Hernandez grounded out to short to end the inning.

                                                              Yerrrrr out!

Michael Petersen came in to pitch the top of the eighth and Rafaela beat out a roller to third to start. Abreu forced Ceddanne at second and Contreras flied out to left. Gasper walked but Monasterio forced Abreu at third to end the inning. Greg Weissert came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth and Kyle Stowers pinch hit for Ramirez. Stowers struck out swinging and Sanoja flied out to center, but Edwards beat out a roller to second. Jimenez flied out to left to end the inning.

Josh Ekness came in to pitch the top of the ninth and Duran flied out to center to start. Seigler walked and Eli White pinch ran for him....only to get thrown out at second trying to steal. Wong popped up to second to end the inning. Caleb Durbin came in for White with Erik Miller now on the mound to start the bottom of the ninth. Conine, Marsee and Navarreto all struck out swinging in short order to end the inning.

The Sox took command in the top of the tenth with Calvin Faucher on the mound and Wong starting at second base. Sogard grounded out to second to move Wong to third and Connor scored on a passed ball to put Boston ahead. Rafaela grounded out to third and Abreu struck out swinging to end the inning with Boston ahead 3-2.

                                                       Wong scores the go-ahead run

With Aroldis Chapman unavailable, rookie Wyatt Olds came in to close out the bottom of the tenth with Navaretto starting at second base. Lopez hit a routine grounder to Monasterio....thrown away for an error. Hernandez popped up to short and Stowers flied out to center, but Navarreto took third on the throw. Lopez stole second but Sanoja swung and missed for strike three....only for the ball to get away from Wong to allow Navarreto to score the tying run, chasing Olds. Alec Gamboa came in to face Edwards and Sanoja took second on defensive indifference. Edwards grounded out to short to end the inning with the game tied 3-3.

                                                           Dammit

Cade Gibson came in to pitch the top of the eleventh but the Sox suddenly rallied with Abreu starting at second. Contreras singled in the hole at first and Jahmai Jones pinch hit for Gasper. Jones walked to load the bases but Monasterio forced Abreu at home. Duran somehow crushed a grand slam to put the Sox up for good but Durbin flied out to center. Wong grounded out to third to end the inning with the Sox ahead 7-3.

                                                           Grand salami for Duran

Gamboa returned to close out the bottom of the eleventh with Edwards starting at second base. Jimenez walked but Conine flied out to center. Marsee beat out a double play ball to put runners at the corners and a passed ball by Wong moved Marsee to second. Navarreto grounded out to short to end the game. The Sox had won it 7-3 in 11 innings.

                                                           Sox win

Hero of the Night is Jarren Duran. His grand slam put the Sox ahead in the 11th.

                                                   "I'm Hero, and you're not!" - Duran

The Good:

Willson Contreras was 2 for 5 with a run scored.

Mickey Gasper walked twice and belted two home runs.

Jahmai Jones walked and scored a run as a pinch hitter.

Anthony Siegler walked twice in four plate appearances.

Tyron Guerrero tossed 1 2/3 scoreless innings.

Greg Weissert pitched a scoreless eighth inning.

Erik Miller struck out the side in the ninth inning.

Alec Gamboa got the win with 1 1/3 scoreless innings

The Bad:

Wilyer Abreu was 0 for 5 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts.

Eli White was thrown out trying to steal as a pinch runner.

Caleb Durbin was 0 for 1 at the plate.

The Ugly:

Nick Sogard was 0 for 4 with a strikeout but walked.

Ceddanne Rafaela was just 1 for 5 with a strikeout.

Andruw Monasterio was just 1 for 5 with an error but scored a run.

Connor Wong was 0 for 5 with a strikeout and a passed ball but scored a run.

Payton Tolle allowed 2 runs after the Sox took the lead in 5 1/3 innings off 4 hits and 2 walks.

Wyatt Olds got charged with the run in the 10th but due to bad defense.

Final Thoughts:

It was great news all around as not only did the Sox pull another win out of their asses but the New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays both lost, inching the Sox closer with just 30 games left. The Sox are in a little bit of trouble with the duo of Adley Rutschman and Connor Wong as automatic outs and the trio of Durbin, Contreras and Abreu struggling with Monasterio's average dropping 20 points in the last 3 weeks. That's 5 of the 9 guys struggling with Duran an enigma but Rafaela, Gasper and Sogard the only consistent hitters. That's not a recipe for success but they have won 5 in a row despite all the struggles. The Sox just find a way to win and they've been doing it since the end of June. The sad part is someone has to go with Trevor Story due to come off the injured list tomorrow with Roman Anthony and Isiah Kiner-Falefa not far behind. Mickey Gasper and Anthony Seigler make the most sense for the infielders and they might dump Jones or White to make room for Anthony. There's still a week until September call ups so they run the risk of losing guys off waivers in the meantime. Still, Roman Anthony has looked great in Portland and Worcester so he'll be a welcome addition. Unfortunately both Story and Kiner sucked in Worcester and a lot of fans are unhappy with them taking spots off guys that held the fort like Sogard, Gasper, Seigler and Monasterio. This weekend is definitely not the time to tinker with chemistry with the biggest series of the year coming up against the Yankees. Still, things are going to work themselves out one way or another. Gotta feel for Wyatt Olds who's had a lousy minor league career, he gets the call and he's a muffed strike three away from saving a crucial, gotta have it game in late August. Duran saved the day again and its becoming a theme, just wish he hit more consistently. The offensive struggles are concerning but they got fresh troops coming so things might get better. The win improved the Sox to 73-59, 5 games behind the Rays for first place in the AL East. The Sox look for the series sweep tomorrow and their sixth straight win when they send Sonny Gray (16-3, 2.79 ERA) up against Ryan Gusto of Miami. The game begins at 6:40 PM at Loan Depot Park.

Sox Rally To Sweep Giants (8/23/26)

The Boston Red Sox have a monumental decision to make coming up soon. Trevor Story is due to come off the Injured List and Nick Sogard is playing for his life right now. The leadoff hitter was the catalyst in today's comeback win against the San Francisco Giants. The Giants bolted out to a 3-0 lead on Jake Bennett (8-6, 3.49 ERA) when Sogard hit a home run off Matt Wilkinson in the bottom of the second. After Ceddanne Rafaela drove in a run in the third, Sogard started the rally in the bottom of the fourth culminating in a game tying Connor Wong double and a Mickey Gasper go-ahead bi double of his own. Rafaela drove in a run of his own to add to the lead. After a comedy of errors brought the Giants within one, Bennett went 7 strong to hand the game over to the bullpen. Tyron Guerrero and Aroldis Chapman slammed the window shut and the Sox had rallied past the Giants to sweep them out of Fenway Park 5-4.

                                                     Wyndham Clark approves of the win

The Giants wasted no time getting to Bennett in the top of the first inning as Osleivis Basabe flied out to right to start. Rafael Devers walked, Willy Adames got a abse hit to left and Bryce Eldridge singled to right to score Devers. Victor Bericoto got a base hit to left to score Adames but Jung Hoo Lee flied out to left. Andrew Knizner lined out to a diving Rafaela to end the inning with the Giants up 2-0.

                                                         Bericoto drives in a run

Wilkinson got the ball in the bottom of the first and Jahmai Jones got a base hit to start. Ceddanne Rafaela singled to center but Wilyer Abreu struck out swinging. Willson Contreras popped up to short and Caleb Durbin flied out to center to end the inning.

Jonah Cox hit a home run all the way to Soviet Russia to start the top of the second but "Boss" Christian Koss grounded out to third. Basabe lined out to center and Devers struck out swinging to end the inning with the Giants up 3-0.

                                                               Cox hits one out

The Sox answered in the bottom of the second as Nick Sogard blasted his second home run of the season to put the Sox on the board. Andruw Monasterio lined out to center, Eli White struck out swinging and Connor Wong grounded out to third to end the inning with the Sox down 3-1.

                                                              Sogard gets the Wally Head

Adames lined out to right to start the top of the third before Eldridge singled to right. Bericoto glied out to center and Lee grounded out to second to end the inning. The Sox struck again in the bottom of the third as Jones tripled into the centerfield triangle to start. Rafaela got a base hit to center to score him then promptly stole second base. Abreu flied out to left, Contreras flied out to center and Durbin grounded out to first to end the inning with the Sox down 3-2.

                                                          Another rbi for Rafaela

Knizner flied out to right to start the top of the fourth but Cox singled to center. Koss popped up to short and Basabe struck out swinging to end the inning. The Sox rallied in the bottom of the fourth as Sogard doubled to left to start. Monasterio grounded out to second to move Sogard to third but White popped up to first. Wong lined out to left to end the inn....WAIT A MINUTE! Eagle eyed Chad Tracy challenged that the ball was trapped by Bericoto and sure enough, the umpires overturned the call. Wong was given a double and Sogard scored to tie the game. JT Brubaker came in to face Jones but Tracy countered by bringing in Mickey Gasper to pinch hit. The gamble worked as Gamble doubled home Wong to put the Sox on top. Rafaela got a base hit to center to score Gasper with the insurance run. Abreu flied out to left to end the inning with the Sox up 5-3.

                                              Wong ties the game before the Sox go ahead

Devers grounded out to short to start the top of the fifth and Adames struck out swinging. Eldridge also went down hacking to end the inning. Buddy Kennedy took over for Adames to start the bottom of the fifth and Contreras grounded out to third. Durbin flied out to right but Sogard walked. Monasterio flied out to left to end the inning.

Drew Gilbert pinch hit for Bericoto to start the top of the sixth and struck out swinging. Lee popped up to short and Knizner flied out to right to end the inning. White popped up a bunt to Brubaker to start the bottom of the sixth but Wong got a base hit to left. Sam Hentges came in to face Gasper and a wild pitch moved Connor to second. Gasper flied iut to right and Rafaela grounded out to second to end the inning.

Bennett returned for one final inning and Cox flied out to right to start. All hell broke loose as Koss hit a routine grounder to Monasterio who fired the ball into right field for an error. Abreu picked up the ball and suddenly threw it into the right field stands for absolutely no reason. Koss came all the way around to score on a T-Ball Homerun as the fans booed. Basabe lined out to right and Devers took strike three to end the inning with the Giants down 5-4. That was it for Bennett who survived early inning trouble and pure stupidity to go 7 strong innings and allow 3 earned runs (4 total).

                                                       Bennett did well

Abreu grounded out to second to start the bottom of the seventh and Contreras struck out swinging. Durbin took strike three to end the inning.

Tyron "El Lanzallamas" Guerrero came in to pitch the top of the eighth and Kennedy got a base hit in the hole at short to start. Eldridge flied out to right and Gilbert grounded into a double play to end the inning. Trent Harris came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth and Sogard grounded out to short to start. It looked like Monasterio beat a tag at second on a double to left but the Giants challenged. The umpires upheld the call and Jarren Duran pinch hit for White. Duran struck out swinging and Adley Rustchman pinch hit for Wong. Rutschman grounded back to the mound to end the inning.

Aroldis Chapman came in to close out the top of the ninth and Lee grounded back to the mound to start. Knizner grounded out to second and Cox struck out swinging to end the game. The Sox had won it 5-4.

                                                             Sox win

Hero of the Night is Mickey Gasper. His pinch hit double put the Sox up for good.

                                                              Gasper The Hero

The Good:

Jahmai Jones was 2 for 2 with a run scored.

Ceddanne Rafaela was 3 for 4 with 2 rbis and a stolen base.

Nick Sogard was 2 for 3 with a walk, home run and 2 runs scored.

Connor Wong was 2 for 3 with an rbi and a run scored.

Jake Bennett got the win by tossing 7 innings allowing just 3 earned runs off 7 hits and a walk while striking out 6.

Tyron Guerrero pitched a scoreless eighth inning.

Aroldis Chapman earned his 29th save with a scoreless ninth.

The Bad:

Wilyer Abreu was 0 for 4 with a strikeout and an error.

Willson Contreras 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Caleb Durbin was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Eli White was 0 for 3 with a strikeout.

Jarren Duran struck out as a pinch hitter.

Adley Rutschman was 0 for 1 as a pinch hitter.

The Ugly:

Andruw Monasterio was just 1 for 4 with an error.

Final Thoughts:

How sweep it is! After that disaster against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Wednesday, the Sox needed to make a statement with the New York Yankees looming. Bennett had a solid outing if you cut out the first inning and the errors in the seventh. As sad as it sounds, the Sox have won 5 out of their last 6 games and didn't gain much ground because the two hottest teams in baseball are the New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays. In fact, the Rays were the only team that the Sox didn't gain much ground on when they went 32-5 apart from the pre-break sweep. This game showed why depth is important because the big guns of Abreu, Contreras and Durbin did absolutely nothing but Sogard and Rafaela stepped up big time. The Sox have a lot of work to do in their final 32 games but they still own a 6.5 game cushion on the Cleveland Guardians. If they go 21-15 that wouldn't be great, but that just might get them in the playoffs. First place is still up for grabs if they can go on one last run. The win improved the Sox to 71-59, 6 games behind the Rays for first place in the AL East. The Sox now travel to Miami for a three game set beginning tomorrow night. Ranger Suarez (5-3, 3.41 ERA) takes on Sandy Alcantara of the Marlins at 6:40 PM at Loan Depot Park.

Gray, Red Sox Blank White Sox (8/5/26)

One thing is for sure, if the Boston Red Sox ever get Garrett Crochet back they might not ever lose again with the pitching they have. Sonny Gray (14-2, 2.78 ERA) continued his march toward the AL Cy Young Award by tossing 6 shut out innings against the AL Central leading Chicago White Sox. After that, the trio of Tyron Guerrero, Garrett Whitlock and Jovani Moran shut the door without allowing a single run. Offensively the Sox used a balanced attack against Chicago starter Sean Burke & the White Sox bullpen. Willson Contreras drove in a run in the bottom of the first and Wilyer Abreu smashed a home run in the bottom of the third. Andruw Monasterio drove in a run in the bottom of the seventh and Caleb Durbin drove in Abreu in the bottom of the eighth. Moran shut the door in the top of the ninth and the Red Sox made it seven wins in a row as they knocked off the White Sox 4-0 at Fenway Park.

                                           Jeremy Swayman approves of the shutout win

Gray got the ball in the top of the first and Sam Antonacci grounded out to first to start. Munetaka Murakami flied out to left. Miguel Vargas walked but Colson Montgomery struck out swinging to end the inning. Burke got the ball in the bottom of the first inning and Nick Sogard took strike three to start. Ceddanne Rafaela flied out to left but Wilyer Abreu got a base hit to center. Abreu took second on a wild pitch and Willson Contreras got a base hit to left to score him. Masataka Yoshida grounded out to first to end the inning with the Red Sox ahead 1-0.

                                                             Sox strike first

Andrew Benintendi struck out swinging to start the top of the second and Braden Montgomery flied out to left. Tristan Peters flied out to right to end the inning. Caleb Durbin lined out to right to start the bottom of the second and Jarren Duran grounded out to second. Andruw Monasterio got a base hit to left then stole second. Monasterio took third on a balk but Connor Wong lined out to short to end the inning. 

Chase Meidroth struck out swinging to start the top of the third and Drew Romo flied out to center, but Antonacci was hit with a pitch. Murakami walked and Vargas got a base hit inside the bag at third. Antonacci ran for home but Durbin threw him out to end the inning. Sogard struck out swinging to open the bottom of the third and Rafaela did the same. Abreu then smashed his 20th home run of the year to increase the lead before Contreras walked. Yoshida popped up to short to end the inning with the Sox ahead 2-0.

                                                             Abreu watches it go

Colson Montgomery struck out swinging to start the top of the fourth but Benintendi doubled off the Monster. Braden Montgomery struck out swinging and Peters did the same to end the inning. Durbin lined out to center to start the bottom of the fourth but Duran doubled off the glove of Murakami. Duran took third on a wild pitch but Monasterio popped up to first. Wong struck out swinging to end the inning. 

All of a sudden Contreras keeled over in the dugout and had to leave the game in the top of the fifth. Sogard moved over to first and Anthony Seigler came in for Contreras at second. Meidroth struck out swinging but naturally Seigler booted a grounder by Romo for an error. Romo took second on a grounder to the mound by Antonacci but Murakami struck out swinging to end the inning. Sogard popped up to short to start the bottom of the fifth but Rafaela walked to chase Burke. Old pal Sean Newcomb came in to face Abreu and Wilyer hit a bullet.....right to Murakimi who got Rafaela at first to end the inning.

Vargas got a base hit to left to start the top of the sixth but Colson Montgomery grounded into a double play. Benintendi grounded out to first to end the inning. That was it for Gray agter 6 shutout innings at only 83 pitches. He allowed 3 hits and 2 walks.

                                                         Good work Gray

Seigler struck out swinging to start the bottom of the sixth and Yoshida lined out to right. Durbin grounded out to second to end the inning. 

Tyron "El Lanzallamas" Guerrero came in to pitch the top of the seventh and Braden Montgomery struck out swinging to start. Peters' bunt attempt was snuffed out by Durbin and Meidroth grounded out to short to end the inning. Duran got a base hit to left to start the bottom of the seventh to chase Newcomb. Huascar Brazoban came in to fsce Monasterio and Duran took off for second. Romo's throw got away and Duran took third on the error. Monasterio hit a sac fly to left to score Duran but Wong struck out swinging. Sogard walked but Rafaela forced him at second to end the inning with the BoSox up 3-0.

                                                       Sox score another run

Garrett "The Lock" Whitlock came in to pitch the top of the eighth and Joey Bart pinch hit for Romo to start. Bart struck out swinging but Antonacci got a base hit to center. Murakami flied out to left and Vargas struck out swinging to end the inning. Old pal Chris Murphy came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth and Abreu walked to start. Abreu stole second but Seigler struck out swinging. Jahmai Jones pinch hit for Yoshida and took strike three. Durbin blooped a base hit to right and Abreu came home....SAFE! Durbin was thrown out at second trying to steal to end the inning with the BoSox ahead 4-0.

                                                       Durbin drives in a run

Jovani Moran came in to close out the top of the ninth and Colson Montgomery walked on four pitches not even close. Randal Grichuk pinch hit for Benintendi and took strike three. Braden Montgomery struck out swinging and Brenton Doyle pinch hit for Peters. Colson Montgomery took second on defense indifference but Doyle struck out swinging to end the game. The Red Sox had won it 4-0.

                                                                     Sox win

Hero of The Night is Sonny Gray. He pitched 6 shutout innings allowing 3 hits and 2 walks while striking out 8.

                                                             Gray Hero

The Good:

Wilyer Abreu was 2 for 3 with a walk, home run, a stolen base and 3 total runs scored.

Willson Contreras was 1 for 1 with a walk and an rbi before leaving the game.

Andruw Monasterio was 1 for 2 with a stolen base and an rbi.

Jarren Duran was 2 for 3 with a stolen base and a run scored.

Tyron Guerrero pitched a scoreless seventh inning.

Garrett Whitlock pitched a scoreless eighth inning.

Jovani Moran pitched a scoreless ninth inning.

The Bad:

Anthony Seigler was 0 for 2 with 2 strikeouts and an error.

Masataka Yoshida was 0 for 3.

Jahmai Jones struck out as a pinch hitter.

Connor Wong was 0 for 3 with 2 strikeouts.

The Ugly:

Nick Sogard was 0 for 3 with 2 strikeouts but walked.

Ceddanne Rafaela was 0 for 3 with a strikeout but walked.

Caleb Durbin was just 1 for 4 but drove in a run.

Final Thoughts:

What a torrid run the Red Sox are on. Not only have they won seven games in a row but the last five have come against potential playoff teams. Sweeping the Los Angeles Dodgers and taking 2 of 3 from the AL Central leading White Sox is no joke. Its not just that they win, its how. The Sox 5 man rotation are under or just over 3.00 which means the starters are only giving up 3 runs or fewer per start. As long as the bullpen doesn't melt down, the Sox have a chance to win almost every night. The offense that was once the worst in not just all of baseball but heading toward historic incompetence is now a strength. With Andruw Monasterio and Caleb Durbin turning their seasons around and Connor Wong replacing Carlos Narvaez, the Sox are 7 guys deep out of nine. The only stragglers are Sogard and Seigler but they're only playing because Curtis Mead got hurt and Trevor Story is still out. Tonight's game went according to formula, get lights out pitching and scratch out enough runs to win. Duran's average might be .206 but he was about .190 a few weeks ago and he's definitely picked it up. That little ruckus with Contreras and Chad Epperson might have woke him up. He admitted that he thought for sure he would be released at the trade deadline and now that he's safe, he's been playing his ass off. Hopefully that continues moving forward because if HE gets hot, there's no stopping them. They're 7 guys deep in the bullpen, the rotation is averaging 3 runs or fewer and the offense is rolling. One pipe dream is the Detroit Tigers started their historic 1984 season by going 35-5. If the Red Sox somehow win five more games in a row, they'll have gone 35-5 since losing to the Colorado Rockies on June 24th. A tall task but not impossible. The bad news was the Tampa Bay Rays defeated the worthless Colorado Rockies but the good news was the St. Louis Cardinals knocked off the New York Yankees. The 15 game lead the Yankees had is now down to just 1. Overtaking them is crucial because they don't want a repeat of last year with 3 straight games in Yankee Stadium. It seems unfair but the Sox need to go on these major win streaks just to keep pace with the Rays and Yankees. Just have to keep winning and winning. The win improved the Sox to 62-51, 5 games behind the Rays for first place in the AL East. The Red Sox look to sweep the White Sox and win their eighth game in a row tomorrow night when Ranger Suarez (4-3, 3.15 ERA) takes on Luis Castillo of Chicago. The game begins at 7:10 PM at Fenway Park.

Boston's Home Run Parade Sweeps Dodgers (8/2/26)

Last night the Boston Red Sox defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers on the back of shutdown pitching and timely hitting. Tonight the Sox completed a three game sweep of the back to back champs by bashing balls out of the park. The Sox as a team played home run derby by slugging four home runs, three of them in the third inning. The Sox got two runs in the first inning against LA starter Emmet Sheehan on rbis from Masataka Yoshida and Caleb Durbin. The Dodgers then got to Sox starter Jake Bennett (7-4, 2.90 ERA) for three runs in the bottom of the second. Then in the top of the third Ceddanne Rafaela, Wilyer Abreu and Yoshida went yard to put the Sox on top. Jarren Duran added a home run in the sixth inning while the Sox tacked on two more runs in the eighth. Despite a Dodger slanted NBC broadcast, the Sox had swept the Dodgers and won their fifth straight game 8-4 at Dodger Stadium.

                                                  Michael Thorbjornsen approves of the win

Sheehan got the ball in the top of the first inning and Nick Sogard walked on a questionable full count ball to start. Ceddanne Rafaela forced Sogard at second but Wilyer Abreu got a base hit up the middle. Willson Contreras flied out to left but Masataka Yoshida slapped a base hit to left to score Rafaela. Caleb Durbin ripped a base hit to right to score Abreu and move Yoshida to third, but Andruw Monasterio struck out swinging to end the inning with the Sox ahead 2-0.

                                                             Durbin adds to the lead

Bennett got the ball in the bottom of the first and Shohei Ohtani got a base hit to right to start. Andy Pages struck out swinging and Tommy Edman did the same. Freddie Freeman grounded out to first to end the inning.

Jarren Duran struck out swinging to start the top of the second and Carlos Narvaez did the same. Sogard took strike three to end the inning. Mr. Mookie Betts lined out to short to start the bottom of the second but Kyle Tucker ripped a base hit to center. Teoscar Hernandez split the D with a base hit up the middle and Max Muncy rocketed a ball off the right field wall but Tucker got fooled so instead of scoring, it just loaded the bases. Eliezer Alfonzo grounded out to short to score Tucker and Ohtani was intentionally walked to reload the bases. Pages made them pay with a base hit past the diving Contreras to score both Hernandez and Muncy. Edman forced Pages at second to end the inning with the Dodgers up 3-2.

                                                          Happy Hernandez

The Sox came back in the top of the third as Rafaela clocked his 15th home run to tie the game to start. Abreu smashed his 17th home run of the season to put the Sox on top but Contreras flied out to center. Yoshida belted his fifth home run of the season to increase the lead but Durbin grounded out to short. Monasterio was hit with a pitch and that was it for Sheehan. Jack Dreyer came in to face Duran and Jarren grounded out to short to end the inning with the Sox ahead 5-3.

                                                            Bing, bang, boom

Freeman grounded out to first to start the bottom of the third and Mr. Mookie flied out to center. Tucker looked to have walked but Narvaez challenged to change the call to strike three to end the inning.

Narvaez walked to start the top of the fourth but Sogard struck out swinging. A wild pitch moved Carlos to second but Rafaela struck out swinging. Abreu flied out to center to end the inning. Hernandez flied out to the right field wall to start the bottom of the fourth and Muncy flied out to left. Alfonso lined out to right to end the inning. 

Evan Phillips came in to pitch the top of the fifth and Contreras flied out to right to start. Yoshida hit a comebacker to Phillips and Durbin grounded out to short to end the inning. Ohtani took strike three to start the bottom of the fifth and Sogard robbed Pages of a base hit. Monasterio then made a great play to rob Edman as well to end the inning. 

Kyle Hurt came in to pitch the top of the sixth and Monasterio struck out swinging to start. Duran belted his 14th home run of the season to increase the lead but Narvaez struck out swinging. Sogard flied out to center to end the inning with the Sox ahead 6-3. 

                                                              Duran jacks one

Freeman got a base hit in the hole at second to start the bottom of the sixth but Mr. Mookie grounded into a double play. Tucker walked and that was it for Bennett as Jake allowed 3 runs off 6 hits and 2 walks. Justin "Incinerator" Slaten came in to pitch to Hernandez and Sogard made another great play to rob Teoscar of a hit to end the inning.

                                                          Not great, but it'll do

Rafaela took strike three to start the top of the seventh but Abreu walked. Contreras struck out swinging and Yoshida hit a ball that a fan reached over the wall to grab for a fan interference out to end the inning. Tyron "El Lanzallamas" Guerrero came in to pitch the bottom of the seventh and Muncy ate up Sogard on a line drive for a base hit to start. Alfonzo flied out to center but a wild pitch moved Muncy to second. Ohtani struck out swinging but Pages doubled into the left field corner to score Muncy. Edman popped up to center to end the inning with the Dodgers down 6-4.

                                                           Pages drives in a run

Wyatt Mills came in to pitch the top of the eighth and Durbin was hit with a pitch to begin. Monasterio beat out a chopper to third and Duran dropped down a bunt to move the runners over. Anthony Seigler pinch hit for Narvaez and a wild pitch scored Durbin, moving Monasterio to third. The crowd booed as a passed ball on Alfonzo scored Monasterio but Seigler popped up to left. Sogard hit a routine grounder to Betts who threw wide of first for an error. Rafaela got a base hit to center to move Sogard to third but Abreu popped up to center to end the inning with the Sox ahead 8-4.

                                                              Monasterio scores a run

Connor Wong took over behind the plate and Jovani Moran came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth. Alex Call pinch hit for Freeman and doubled to left, but Betts grounded out to short. Enrique Hernandez pinch hit for Tucker and grounded out to second to move Call to third. That was it for Moran as Greg Weissert came in to face Teoscar Hernandez. Hernandez grounded out to third to end the inning. 

Contreras struck out swinging to start the top of the ninth but Yoshida walked. Durbin walked but Monasterio flied out to left. Duran popped up to first to end the inning. Garrett Whitlock came in to close out the bottom of the ninth and Muncy popped up to third to start. Alfonzo grounded out to third but Ohtani walked. Ohtani took second on defensive indifference but Pages struck out swinging to end the game. The Sox had won it 8-4.

                                                                  Sox win

Hero of the Night is Wilyer Abreu. His home run in the third put the Sox up for good.

                                                                 Hero Abreu

The Good:

Ceddanne Rafaela was 2 for 5 with a home run and 2 total runs scored.

Masataka Yoshida was 2 for 4 with a walk, a home run and 2 total rbis.

Caleb Durbin was 1 for 3 with a walk, rbi and a run scored.

Jake Bennett got the win by tossing 5 2/3 innings allowing 3 runs off 6 hits and 2 walks.

Justin Slaten got the final out of the sixth inning.

Jovani Moran got the first two outs of the eighth inning.

Greg Weissert got the final out of the eighth inning.

Garrett Whitlock pitched a scoreless ninth inning.

The Bad:

Anthony Seigler was 0 for 1 as a pinch hitter.

Willson Contreras was 0 for 5 with 2 strikeouts.

Tyron Guerrero allowed a run in the seventh inning.

The Ugly:

Andruw Monasterio was just 1 for 4 with 2 strikeouts but was hit with a pitch and scored a run.

Jarren Duran was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but the one hit was a home run.

Nick Sogard was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts but walked.

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

Honorable Mention:

Connor Wong caught the final two innings.

Final Thoughts:

The Sox just keep on rolling and the haters are running out of excuses. The "they haven't beat anyone good" just got laid to rest by sweeping the Dodgers out of Los Angeles. Not only did they win, they scored 17 runs in two of the three games. Falling behind and rallying against Sacramento and not giving up when trailing or tied with Los Angeles shows the balls this team didn't have back from April to June. Not only that, Monasterio made some errors this past week but he and Sogard couldn't miss this weekend. They beat the Dodgers with offense, pitching and defense. That's the kind of team that's going to be scary in the playoffs. As a side note, years ago you could have put New York Yankees jersies on Jess Mendoza and Matt Vasgersian during ESPN Sunday Night Baseball when the Red Sox played the Yankees and for all intents and purposes, that's what NBC did last night only Dodger blue for Jason Benetti, Orel Hershiser and Clayton Kershaw. The broadcast last night was 50% kissing Tarik Skubal's ass and 45% Hershiser and Kershaw gladhanding each other for their Dodger accomplishments. The other 5% was Lou Merloni desperately trying to point out the Red Sox were kicking the crap out of the Dodgers in this series and was the hottest team in baseball. That was a disgrace, I don't care that they were in LA. Anyway, the Sox ARE the hottest team in baseball but the question is, are they going to add or stand pat tomorrow during the trade deadline? The word is there won't be a 2027 season so if they're going to win now, they're going to have to go big. They have the talent to be a contender for years if they choose to stand pat, especially with Trevor Story, Marcelo Mayer, Roman Anthony and Curtis Mead expected back at some point this year. The bad news was the New York Yankees won but the good news was the Tampa Bay Rays lost. The Sox also have a 4 game lead on the Cleveland Guardians for the second wild card and a 5 game lead on the Texas Rangers for the third. Everything is falling into place, they just need to keep the momentum going. The win improved the Sox to 60-51, 5 games behind the Rays for first place in the AL East. After an off-day tomorrow the Sox are back in action Tuesday night at home against the Chicago White Sox. The Red Sox hasnt named a starter yet while Davis Martin goes for Chicago. The game begins at 7:10 PM at Fenway Park. 

Sox Stun Yamamoto, Dodgers (8/1/26)

Before the game the Boston Red Sox made some roster moves. Once again Tommy Kahnle was released and probably for good this time. With everyone moving up and certain trades to be made, may as well run with the kids in AAA rather than an aging veteran like Kahnle. In other news, 2023 draft pick Jojo Ingrassia was sent to the Detroit Tigers as the PTBNL in the Jahmai Jones trade. He was 2-1 with a 3.27 ERA for the Greenville Drive. Good luck in Detroit.

                                                                        OUT

As for the game, its a new month but the same red hot Red Sox. Facing the ace of the back to back world series champion Los Angeles Dodgers, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the Sox needed someone to step up. Sox starter Payton Tolle gutted through six innings to hold LA to a two run Teoscar Hernandez home run while Ceddanne Rafaela went deep twice against Yamamoto. In the eighth inning the Sox had first and third with nobody out and Connor Wong banged into a double play, but Andruw Monasterio scored the go-ahead run. The trio of Justin Slaten (2-4, 4.45 ERA), Tyron Guerrero and Aroldis Chapman held the fort and the Sox had beaten the Dodgers and Yamamoto 3-2 at Dodger Stadium

                                                    Angel Eyes approves of the win

Yamamoto got the ball in the top of the first inning and Anthony Seigler grounded out to second to start. Ceddanne Rafaela then clobbered his 13th home run of the season to put the Sox on top. Wilyer Abreu grounded out to second and Caleb Durbin grounded out to third to end the inning with the Sox up 1-0.

                                                             Rafaela hits one out

Tolle got the ball in the bottom of the first and Shohei Ohtani got a base hit to center to start. Andy Pages hit a rocket to right and Ohtani tried to tag up and go to second, only to be gunned down by Abreu at second. Tommy Edman struck out swinging to end the inning.

Masataka Yoshida took strike three to start the top of the second but Nick Sogard walked. Andruw Monasterio flied out to center and Jarren Duran forced Sogard at second to end the inning. The Dodgers struck back in the bottom of the second as Freddie Freeman got a base hit to left to start. Enrique Hernandez popped up to second but Teoscar Hernandez hit a home run all the way back in time to the medieval era to put LA on top. Max Muncy got a base hit to right and Miguel Rojas doubled to left, but Dalton Rushing flied out to center. Ohtani was intentionally walked to load the bases and Pages grounded out to second to end the inning with the Dodgers up 2-1.

                                                         Hernandez puts LA ahead

Connor Wong flied out to right to start the top of the third and Seigler took strike three. Rafaela then smashed his second home run of the game to tie it up. Abreu popped up to third to end the inning with the game tied 2-2.

                                                           Rafaela with another one

Edman walked to start the bottom of the third but Freeman grounded into a double play. Enrique Hernandez struck out swinging to end the inning.

Durbin popped up to first to start the top of the fourth and Yoshida flied out to center. Sogard grounded out to first to end the inning. Teoscar Hernandez singled to center to start the bottom of the fourth but Muncy struck out swinging. Rojas took strike three and Rushing struck out swinging to end the inning.

Monasterio grounded out to second to start the top of the fifth and Duran lined out to center. Wong flied out to center to end the inning. Ohtani struck out swinging to start the bottom of the fifth but Pages got a a base hit to right. Pages tried to stretch a double but slid off the bag and was tagged out. Edman flied out to right to end the inning.

Seigler took strike three to start the top of the sixth and Rafaela flied out to right. Abreu grounded out to short to end the inning. Freeman got a base hit to left to start the bottom of the sixth but Enrique Hernandez flied out to right. Teoscar Hernandez got a base hit to left but Muncy took strike three. Rojas flied out to center to end the inning. That was it for Tolle who allowed just 2 runs in 6 innings off 9 hits and 2 walks. 

                                                       Tolle held the Dodgers in check

Durbin popped up to third to start the top of the seventh and Yoshida grounded out to first. Sogard grounded out to first to end the inning. Justin "Incinerator" Slaten came in to pitch the bottom of the seventh and Rushing grounded out to second to start. Ohtani grounded out to second and Pages took strike three to end the inning.

The Sox surged ahead in the top of the eighth as Mr. Mookie Betts came in for Rojas. Monasterio hit a ground rule double into the left field stands and Duran caught Freeman asleep with a bunt single to put runners at the corners. Wong grounded into a double play but Monasterio scored to give the Sox the lead. Seigler lined out to left to end the inning with the Sox up 3-2.

                                                        The Sox take the lead

Tyron "El Lanzallamas" Guerrero came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth and Edman grounded out to second to start. Freeman got a base hit to right but Kyle Tucker pinch hit for Enrique Hernandez. Tucker flied out to center and Teoscar Hernandez grounded out to short to end the inning.

Alex Vesia came in to pitch the top of the ninth and Rafaela grounded out to second to start. Abreu struck out swinging and Durbin popped up to second to end the inning. Aroldis Chapman came in to close out the bottom of the ninth and Muncy took strike three to start. Mr. Mookie grounded out to third and Alex Call pinch hit for Rushing. Call flied out to left to end the game. The Sox had won it 3-2.

                                                            Sox win

Hero of The Night is Ceddanne Rafaela. His 2 home runs off one of the best pitchers in the game kept the Sox in it.

                                                          Rafaela Hero

The Good:

Andruw Monasterio was 1 for 3 with a run scored.

Jarren Duran was 1 for 3.

Payton Tolle tossed 6 solid innings allowing 3 runs off 9 hits and 2 walks.

Justin Slaten got the win by pitching a scoreless seventh inning.

Tyron Guerrero pitched a scoreless eighth inning.

Aroldis Chapman earned his 27th save with a scoreless ninth inning.

The Bad:

Anthony Seigler was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

Wilyer Abreu was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Caleb Durbin was 0 for 4.

Masataka Yoshida was 0 for 3 with a strikeout.

Connor Wong was 0 for 3.

The Ugly:

Nick Sogard was 0 for 2 but walked.

Final Thoughts:

Once again this was not a game the Sox would have won from April to June. They were held to just 4 hits and found a way to win. Lights out pitching against the world champs apart from one swing from Teoscar Hernandez sealed the deal. Rafaela hitting the two bombs off Yamamoto and Monasterio's ground rule double followed by Duran's bunt was just the offense they needed. The trade deadline is 2 days away and Sox GM Craig Breslow has to decide whether to hope & pray Curtis Mead, Trevor Story, Roman Anthony, etc come back healthy or make a trade for another bat to go for it all. There probably isn't a 2027 season next year so may as well go for broke. As for this game, maybe now the talking heads will shut up about "The Sox haven't beaten good teams." They just beat Yamamoto and the world champs with a bullpen that's five guys deep and a rookie starter that isn't afraid of anything. The more the Sox win, the more they establish themselves as a legitimate threat in the American League. Just have to keep the momentum going. The win improved the Sox to 59-51, 6 games behind the Rays for first place in the AL East. The Sox look to sweep the Dodgers tomorrow night on NBC's Sunday Night Baseball and run their win streak to five games when Jake Bennett (6--4) takes on Emmet Sheehan of Los Angeles. The game begins at 7:20 PM eastern time at Dodger Stadium.