Sox Late Rally Drops Royals (5/19/26)

Better late than never for the Boston Red Sox in tonight's game against the Kansas City Royals. The Red Sox broke out to a 2-1 lead over Royals starter Bailey Falter on rbis from Willson Contreras and Caleb Durbin. Ranger Suarez didnt have his best stuff and left with one out in the fifth. Contreras drove in a run in the eighth inning, Jarren Duran hit a 3 run bomb in the ninth inning, and Contreras drove in another run to wrap up the scoring. Garrett Whitlock (3-1, 2.79 ERA) and Jovani Moran locked the gates and the Sox had beaten the Royals 7-1 at Kauffman Stadium. 

                                                     Taj Jackson approves of the win

Somehow the Sox came out flying against Falter in the top of the first inning as Jarren Duran walked to start. Ceddanne Rafaela struck out swinging but Duran swiped second. Wilyer Abreu got a base hit in the hole at second to move Duran to third and Willson Contreras got a base hit to left to score Jarren. Andruw Monasterio grounded into a double play to end the inning but the Sox were up 1-0.

                                                                   Sox strike first

The Royals answered against Suarez in the bottom of the first as Maikel Garcia grounded out to third to start Bobby Witt Jr singled to right and promptly stole second. Salvador Perez walked and Lane Thomas doubled to right to score Witt. Jac Caglianone grounded out to first and Starling Marte grounded out to short to end the inning with the game tied 1-1.

                                                             Royals tie it up

The Sox struck again in the top of the second as Nick Sogard grounded out to short to start. Carlos Narvaez walked and Isiah Kiner-Falefa got a base hit to center. Somehow Caleb Durbin got a base hit to center....booted by Thomas for an error to score Narvaez, putting Kiner to third. Duran walked to load the bases and....Rafaela struck out swinging. Abreu flied out to left to end the inning with the Sox up 2-1.

                                                           Durbin puts the Sox ahead

Vinnie Pasquantino took strike three to start the bottom of the second and Nick Loftin lined out to left. Carter Jensen flied out to left to end the inning.

Luinder Aila came in to pitch the top of the third and Contreras struck out looking to start. Monasterio popped up to first and Sogard grounded back to the mound to end the inning. Garcia flied out to left to start the bottom of the third and Witt grounded out to second. Perez walked and Thomas flied out to right to end the inning. 

Narvaez took strike three to start the top of the fourth but Kiner walked. Durbin watched strike three down the middle go by and Kiner was thrown out at second trying to steal to end the inning. Caglianone took strike three to begin the bottom of the fourth and Marte grounded out to third. Pasquantino walked but Loftin took strike three to end the inning.

Duran doubled to center to start the top of the fifth but was thrown out at third trying to stretch a triple. Rafaela grounded out to short and Abreu grounded out to first to end the inning. The Royals finished off Suarez in the bottom of the fifth as Jensen doubled to right to start. Garcia got a base hit to right but Jensen was held at third, getting Maikel thrown out at second. That was it for Suarez after just 4 1/3 innings as he uncharacteristically allowed 4 hits and 3 walks. Zack Kelly came in and Witt flied out to right. Perez flied out to left to end the inning.

                                                             Not good enough

John Schreiber came in to pitch the top of the sixth and Contreras grounded out to second to start. Masataka Yoshida pinch hit for Monasterio and doubled to right. Sogard struck out swinging but a wild pitch moved Yoshida to third. Narvaez struck out swinging to end the inning. Thomas singled to left to start the bottom of the sixth to chase Kelly. Tyler Samaniego came in and Caglianone took strike three. Marte got a base hit to center but Thomas was thrown out at third trying to steal. A passed ball moved Marte to second but Pasquantino lined out to right to end the inning.

Nick Mears came in to pitch the top of the seventh and Kiner got a base hit to left to start. Durbin grounded into a double play and Duran took strike three to end the inning. Justin "Incinerator" Slaten came in to pitch the bottom of the seventh and Michael Massey pinch hit for Loftin. Massey struck out swinging and Jensen grounded out to third. Garcia struck out swinging to end the inning. 

The Sox got a run in the top of the eighth as Rafaela doubled to center to start. Abreu lined out to left to move Rafaela to third and Contreras grounded out to third to score Ceddanne. Yoshida struck out swinging to end the inning with the Sox ahead 3-1.

                                                      Another rbi for Contreras

Garrett "The Lock" Whitlock came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth and Witt flied out to right to start. Perez lined out to center and Thomas struck out swinging to end the inning. 

The Sox exploded in the top of the ninth with Eli Morgan now on the mound. Sogard got a base hit to center but Narvaez popped up.to second. Kiner got a base hit to left and Mickey Gasper pinch hit for Durbin. Gasper got a base hit to right but Sogard was thrown out at home, moving Kiner to third. Marcelo Mayer pinch ran for Gasper and stole second, then Duran smashed his fifth home run of the season to ice the game. Rafaela got a base hit to center, Abreu singled to center and Contreras drilled a base hit to left to score Ceddanne. Yoshida grounded out to second to end the inning with the Sox ahead 7-1.

                                                          Duran needed that one

Jovani Moran came in to close out the bottom of the ninth and Caglianone took strike three to start. Both Marte and Pasquantino struck out swinging to end the game. The Sox had won it 7-1.

                                                                 Sox win

Hero of The Night is Willson Contreras. He drove in the first run amd 3 total to put the game out of reach.

                                                                 Hero Contreras 

The Good:

Jarren Duran was 2 for 3 with 2 walks, a stolen base, a 3 run homer and 2 runs scored.

Ceddanne Rafaela was 2 for 5 with 2 runs scored.

Wilyer Abreu was 2 for 5.

Masataka Yoshida was 1 for 3.

Isiah Kiner-Falefa was 3 for 3 with a run scored.

Caleb Durbin was 1 for 3 with an rbi.

Mickey Gasper singled as a pinch hitter.

Marcelo Mayer stole a base and scored a run as a pinch runner.

Ranger Suarez allowed just 1 run in 4 1/3 innings off 4 hits and 3 walks.

Zack Kelly got the final two outs of the fifth inning.

Tyler Samaniego pitched a scoreless sixth inning.

Justin Slaten pitched a scoreless seventh inning.

Garrett Whitlock got the win with a scoreless eighth inning.

Jovani Moran pitched a scoreless ninth inning.

The Bad:

Andruw Monasterio was 0 for 2.

The Ugly:

Nick Sogard was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout.

Carlos Narvaez was 0 for 3 with 2 strikeouts but walked and scored a run.

Final Thoughts:

That was more like it for the Red Sox offense. Jarren Duran amd Caleb Durbin desperately needed some big hits and they got them tonight. Suarez didn't have his best stuff and the bullpen had to pitch the final 4 2/3 innings, getting some offense helped big time. Not only did they prove they could hit, they saved Aroldis Chapman for tomorrow if needed. Its a shame that historically ex-manager Alex Cora burnt out the bullpen year after year because of analytics whereas Chad Tracy might do it this year out of necessity. The Sox rarely get a lead so when they do, its Slaten, Whitlock, Chapman every time. Kudos to Contreras and the bats for making this a laugher at the end. Hopefully this is the start the Sox needed to get back on track. The win improved the Sox to 21-27, good for last place in the AL East. The Sox look to sweep the series tomorrow night against the Royals when Connelly Early takes on old friend Michael Wacha. The game begins at 7:40 PM eastern time at Kauffman Stadium. 

Schwarber, Phillies Sink Sox (5/14/26)

Its bad enough the Boston Red Sox offense is among the worst in the league, but what makes things worse is when potential free agent targets that the front office "showed no interest" in are the ones that beat you. For seven innings Ranger Suarez and the Boston bullpen matched zeroes with Jesus Luzardo and theirs. Then in the top of the eighth, old pal Kyle Schwarber smacked a 2 run home run to put Philly ahead. The Phillies got another run and survived a Wilyer Abreu rbi to lock down the game. The Phillies had won it 3-1.

                                                         Red Sox offense is in trouble 

After a long rain delay, Suarez got the ball in the top of the first inning and Trea Turner beat out a grounder to third to sta....but wait! Sox manager Chad Tracy challenged that Turner was out, and replays showed he was. Kyle Schwarber struck out swinging and Bryce Harper lined out to first to end the inning. Luzardo got the ball in the bottom of the first and Jarren Duran lined out to center to start. Andruw Monasterio struck out swinging and Wilyer Abreu grounded out to first to end the inning.

Adolis Garcia grounded out to second to start the top of the second and Alec Bohm watched strike three go by. Brandon Marsh grounded out to short to end the inning. Willson Contreras flied out to center to start the bottom of the second and Ceddanne Rafaela struck out swinging. Trevor Story grounded out to third to end the inning.

JT Realmuto struck out swinging to start the top of the third and Felix Reyes grounded out to third. Edmundo Sosa took strike three to end the inning. The Sox blew a rally in the bottom of the third as Carlos Narvaez doubled to center to start. Caleb Durbin dropped down a bunt to move Carlos to third but Isiah Kiner-Falefa got booed as he struck out swinging. Duran got booed as he grounded back to the mound to end the inning.

Turner grounded out to short to start the top of the fourth and Schwarber struck out swinging. Harper walked but Garcia forced him at second to end the inning. Monasterio flied out to center to start the bottom of the fourth but Abreu got a base hit to left. Naturally Abreu got picked off and sure enough, Contreras doubled to left that would have scored him. Also typical with a runner in scoring position, Rafaela flied out to center to end the inning.

Bohm got a base hit to left to start the top of the fifth but Marsh struck out swinging. Realmuto and Reyes stroked back to back base hits but Sosa struck out swinging. Turner was rung up for strike three to end the inning. Story struck out swinging to start the bottom of the fifth and Narvaez grounded out. Durbin was hit with a pitch and Kiner walked to once again put a runner in scoring position. Naturally Duran popped up to short to a chorus of boos to end the inning.

Schwarber lined out to right to start the top of the sixth but Harper got a base hit to right. All of a sudden Chad Tracy came out of the dugout and pulled Suarez after just 76 pitches to another chorus of boos. He allowed just four hits and a walk in 5 1/3 innings before he was yanked. Justin "Incinerator" Slaten came in and Garcia struck out swinging. Bohm got a base hit to left to move Harper to third but Marsh lined out to center to end the inning. 

                                                    Suarez was pulled too soon

Monasterio doubled to left to start the bottom of the sixth and naturally with a runner in scoring position, Abreu just grounded out to second. Monasterio did make it to third but once again with a runner in scoring position, Contreras hit a grounder to short. Rafaela completed the trifecta with a grounder to short to end the inning.

Garrett "The Lock" Whitlock came in to pitch the top of the seventh and Realmuto struck out swinging to start. Bryson Stott pinch hit for Reyes and popped up to first. Sosa struck out swinging to end the inning. Brad Keller came in to pitch the bottom of the seventh and Story popped up to first to start. Narvaez struck out swinging but somehow Durbin doubled to left. Marcelo Mayer pinch hit for Kiner and naturally with a runner in scoring position, struck out swinging to end the inning.

Tyler Samaniego came in to crap his pants in the top of the eighth as Turner got a base hit to right. Naturally Schwarber hit a home run all the way to Waltham to put the Phillies up for good. Harper grounded out to first and Zack Kelly came in to face Garcia. Garcia took strike three but Story booted a grounder by Bohm to keep the inning going. Marsh got a base hit to center and Realmuto was plunked to load the bases. It looked like Stott grounded out to third to end the inning but the Phillies challenged he was safe. Sure enough, the call was overturned amd Bohm scored. Justin Crawford pinch hit for Sosa and forced Stott at second to end the inning with the Phillies up 3-0.

                                                            Anybody but him....

The Sox answered in the bottom of the eighth with Jose Alvarado on the mound. Duran popped up to third but Monasterio doubled to center. Abreu got a base hit to center to score Andruw and bring the tying run to the plate. Contreras popped up to first but Rafaela was hit with a pitch. Naturally with 2 men on Story struck out swinging to end the inning with the Sox down 3-1.

                                                    Abreu wasn't ready to give up yet

Ryan Watson came in to pitch the top of the ninth and Turner struck out swinging to start. Schwarber went down hacking and Harper flied out to center to end the inning. Jhoan Duran came in to close out the bottom of the ninth and Mickey Gasper pinch hit for Narvaez. Gasper took strike three and Masataka Yoshida pinch hit for Durbin. Yoshida walked to bring the tying run to the plate but Mayer struck out swinging. Yoshida took second on defense indifference but Duran struck out swinging to end the game. The Phillies had won it 3-1.

                                                                  Phillies win 

Jackass of the Night is Tyler Samaniego. He allowed the 2 run homer to Schwarber to put Philly up for good.

                                                              Jackass Samaniego 

The Good:

Ranger Suarez tossed 5 1/3 shutout innings allowing 4 hits and a walk while striking out 8.

Justin Slaten got the final 2 outs of the sixth inning.

Garrett Whitlock pitched a scoreless seventh inning.

Ryan Watson pitched a scoreless ninth inning.

Andruw Monasterio was 2 for 4 with a run scored.

Wilyer Abreu was 2 for 4 with an rbi.

Isiah Kiner-Falefa walked in two plate appearances.

Caleb Durbin was 1 for 1 with a hit by pitch.

Mastaka Yoshida walked as a pinch hitter.

Carlos Narvaez was 1 for 3.

The Bad:

Mickey Gasper struck out as a pinch hitter.

Jarren Duran was 0 for 5 with a strikeout.

Trevor Story was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts and an error.

Marcelo Mayer was 0 for 2 with 2 strikeouts.

Zack Kelly allowed a run in the eighth inning

The Ugly:

Willson Contreras was just 1 for 4.

Ceddanne Rafaela was 0 for 3 with a strikeout but was hit with a pitch.

Final Thoughts:

Sox GM Craig Breslow is under fire for what's happened this season but one move he DIDN'T make is coming back to bite him. Kyle Schwarber was a free agent after the 2025 season but the Sox showed no interest. Well Schwarber has 18 home runs this year so far and the Sox will be lucky if anyone gets to 18 home runs this season. Scoring 1 run off 7 hits is pathetic and the Sox have been completely inept pretty much all season. When 6 of your 9 starting players are hitting under .240, you're not going to win too many games. Its a shame because Suarez and most of the bullpen pitched well too. They're going to have to win every game 3-2 and that's not going to happen. The loss dropped the Sox to 18-25, good for last place in the AL East. The Sox now travel to Atlanta for a three game set with the Braves beginning tomorrow night. Connelly Early goes for the Sox against Spencer Strider of Atlanta. The game begins at 7:10 PM at Truist Park.

Phillies Edge Sox (5/12/26)

Its become an epidemic at this point just how bad the Boston Red Sox offense is. After being held to 3 runs in 2 games by the Tampa Bay Rays, tonight it was Zack Wheeler and the Philadelphia Phillies that held the Sox to just 1 measly run in 7 1/3 innings. The sad part was Jovani Moran (0-1, 3.18 ERA) allowed a run as the "opener" and Brayan Bello allowed just 1 run in 6 1/3 innings piggybacking. The Boston bats outhit the Phillies 7 to 5 but went 1 for 5 with runners in scoring position with 6 men left on base. Jhoan Duran locked it down in the bottom of the ninth and the Phillies had won the game 2-1 at Fenway Park. 

                                                          Barnaby hates bad offense

Jovani Moran got the ball in the top of the first inning and Trea Turner grounded out to third to start. Naturally old pal Kyle Schwarber hit a home run all the way to Philadelphia to remind Red Sox ownership of their failure. Bryce Harper took strike three and Adolis Garcia struck out swinging to end the inning with the Phillies up for good 1-0.

                                                               It had to be him?

Wheeler utterly dominated the Sox in the bottom of the first as Jarren Duran grounded out to short to start. Mickey Gasper flied out to right and Wilyer Abreu flied out to left to end the inning with Wheeler throwing just 6 pitches.

Brayan Bello came in to pitch the top of the second and Brandon Marsh got a base hit got a base hit to right. Right on cue Bello melted as JT Realmuto grounded back to the mound to move Marsh to second and Brandon scored on the ground rule double by Bryson Stott into the right field stands. Abreu had to climb the wall to rob Alec Bohm of a home run and Justin Crawford walked. Both runners pulled off a double steal but somehow Turner struck out swinging to end the inning with the Phillies up 2-0.

                                                               Stott drives in a run

The Sox rolled over in the bottom of the second as Masataka Yoshida was hit with a pitch to start....but Trevor Story was royally booed for hitting into a double play. Ceddanne Rafaela hit a weak ground out to short to end the inning.

Schwarber flied out to left to start the top of the third and Harper took strike three. Garcia grounded out to third to end the inning. Somehow Marcelo Mayer got a lucky base hit to center to start the bottom of the third but naturally Carlos Narvaez flied out to center. Sox fans booed loudly as Chad Durbin grounded into a double play to end the inning.

Marsh flied out to right to start the top of the fourth before Realmuto grounded back to the mound. Stott got a base hit to center but Bohm forced him at second to end the inning. Duran swung at strike three 8 feet over his head to start the bottom of the fourth and Gasper flied out to left. Abreu got a base hit to left but Yoshida lined out to short to end the inning.

Crawford struck out swinging to start the top of the fifth before Turner grounded back to the mound. Schwarber flied out to the right field wall to end the inning. Story got booed loudly for grounding out to short to start the bottom of the fifth. Rafaela struck out swinging and Mayer grounded out to short to end the inning with Wheeler at just 44 pitches.

Abreu made a great sliding catch to rob Harper of extra bases to start the top of the sixth and Garcia grounded out to short. Marsh grounded back to the mound to end the inning. Narvaez grounded out to short to start the bottom of the sixth and Durbin got booed for taking strike three down the middle. Duran was also booed as he struck out swinging to end the inning.

Realmuto struck out swinging to open the top of the seventh and Stott grounded out to second. Bohm got a base hit to center but Crawford took strike three to end the inning. Somehow Gasper got a base hit to right to start the bottom of the seventh but naturally Abreu flied out to right. Yoshida flied out to center but somehow Story got a base hit to left. Rafaela shocked the world with a base hit to right that scored Gasper and moved Story to third. Naturally with a chance to tie the game, Mayer grounded out to short to end the inning with the Sox down 2-1.

                                                           Rafaela drives in a run

Bello got Turner to ground out to third to start the top of the eighth and that was it for him. He allowed just 1 run in 6 1/3 innings on 4 hits and a walk. If it wasn't for bad offense, he'd be winning this game. Tyler Samaniego came in and walked Schwarber, but Harper lined out to third. Garcia struck out swinging to end the inning. 

                                                            Bello did well

Somehow Narvaez got a base hit to right to start the bottom of the eighth and Connor Wong pinch ran for him. Durbin was booed for flying out to center and that was it for Wheeler. Jose Alvarado was brought in to face Duran and Jarren hit a grounder to short. Turner fired to second base and Wong was ruled safe....but wait! Phillies manager Don Mattingly challenged he was out. Sure enough, the umpires called Wong out. Duran took off for second and catcher Realmuto threw the ball away allowing Jarren to reach third on the error. With the tying run 90 feet away....Gasper struck out swinging to end the inning.

Zack Kelly came in to pitch the top of the ninth and Marsh flied out to center to start. Realmuto grounded out to third and Stott struck out swinging to end the inning. Jhoan Duran came in to close out the bottom of the ninth and Abreu struck out swinging to start. Yoshida got a base hit to left and Isiah Kiner-Falefa ran for him. Kiner stole second to put the tying run in scoring position and Story walked. With the game on the line....Rafaela struck out swinging and Mayer grounded out to second to end the game. The Phillies had won it 2-1.

                                                                Phillies win

Jackass of the Night is Marcelo Mayer. He had two chances to tie the game and failed both times.

                                                             Jackass Mayer

The Good:

Masataka Yoshida was 1 for 3.

Trevor Story was 1 for 3 with a walk.

Isiah Kiner-Falefa stole a base in the ninth inning.

Carlos Narvaez was 1 for 3.

Brayan Bello tossed 6 1/3 innings of 1 run ball allowing 4 hits and a walk.

Tyler Samaniego got the final two outs of the eighth inning.

Zack Kelly pitched a scoreless ninth inning.

The Bad:

Caleb Durbin was 0 for 3 with a strikeout.

Jovani Moran allowed a run in the first inning.

The Ugly:

Jarren Duran was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts but stole a base.

Mickey Gasper was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but scored a run.

Wilyer Abreu was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout.

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

Honorable Mention:

Connor Wong caught the top of the ninth.

Final Thoughts:

This can't go on all season can it? Red Sox fans are already screaming to blow the team up, sell it and fire the front office and we're not even half way through May yet. Who can blame the fans after they were promised a good season after picking up Sonny Gray, Willson Contreras and Ranger Suarez only for the ones expected to do well to fall flat on their faces. Duran, Story and Durbin have been automatic outs with Narvaez, Mayer and Anthony pretty close. Anthony's gone now and it looks like addition by subtraction with Gasper in there but how long will his initial push last before it runs out of gas? If the Sox are banking on Mickey Gasper to save the season they're screwed. Bello didn't pitch that bad and one home run with a man on base wins this thing. That's how bad this team is, one home run makes a difference nearly every night and there aren't any coming. The loss dropped the Sox to 17-24, good for last place in the AL East. The Sox look to bounce back tomorrow night against the Phillies when Sonny Gray (3-1) takes on Andrew Painter of Philadelphia. The game begins at 6:40 PM at Fenway Park.

Martinez, Ray Drop Sox (5/10/26)

Another day, another loss for the Boston Red Sox. The Sox did themselves no favors against Tampa Bay Rays starter Nick Martinez as they went 1 for 10 with runners in scoring position with 9 men left on base. Martinez left in the sixth inning and the Rays bullpen didnt allow a run. Meanwhile Payton Tolle (1-2, 1.99 ERA) gave up 3 runs in 5 innings and the game was essentially over in the third inning. The Rays got a run off Zack Kelly in the sixth as the Sox continued their slide with a 4-1 victory by the Rays at Fenway Park.

                                                           Sox fans aren't happy

The Rays wasted no time getting to Tolle in the top of the first and Chandler Simpson grounded out to first to start. Junior Caminero hit a home run all the way into the Charles River to put the Rays up for good just two batters into the game. Ben Williamson grounded out to second and Yandy Diaz grounded out to third to end the inning with the Rays up 1-0.

                                                            Rays strike first

Martinez got the ball in the bottom of the first and Jarren Duran grounded out to second to start. Willson Contreras was hit in the hand with a pitch but Wilyer Abreu hit a rocket....right to Ryan Vilade at first. Masataka Yoshida grounded out to second to end the inning.

Contreras came off the field and ran all the way to Mass General holding his hand and Andruw Monasterio took his place for the top of the second. Vilade got a base hit to right and was thrown out at second trying to stretch a double before Cedric Mullins popped up to first. Jonny DeLuca struck out swinging to end the inning. Trevor Story struck out swinging to start the bottom of the second but Mickey Gasper doubled off the Monster. Marcelo Mayer struck out swinging and Ceddanne Rafaela grounded out to third to end the inning.

The Rays blew the game open in the top of the third as Nick Fortes got a base hit to center to start. Taylor Walls dropped down a bunt to move Fortes to second and Simpson hit a routine grounder...booted by Story to score Fortes. Caminero flied out to right but Williamson got a base hit to right to score Simpson to ice the game. Diaz got a base hit to right but Vilade struck out swinging to end the inning with the Rays up 3-0.

                                                        Williamson drives in a run

The Sox blew a rally in the bottom of the third as Caleb Durbin was hit with a pitch and immediately tried to run to second base, getting thrown out. Duran grounded out to second and Monasterio doubled off the Monster. Abreu grounded out to first to end the inning.

Mullins got a base hit to center to start the top of the fourth but was immediately picked off. Deluca struck out swinging and Fortes popped up to third to end the inning. Yoshida got a base hit to right to start the bottom of the fourth and Story was soundly booed for swinging at strike three in the dirt. Gasper grounded out to first to move Yoshida to second but Mayer grounded out to second to end the inning.

Tolle was allowed one more inning in the top of the fifth as Walls flied out to center to start. Simpson flied out to right and Caminero struck out swinging to end the inning. Tolle was finished after 5 innings and just 81 pitches. He was charged with 3 runs off 7 hits.

                                                       Pitching for his late mother

Rafaela grounded out to short to start the bottom of the fifth and Durbin lined out to center. Duran got a base hit to right and Monasterio got a base hit to center to move Durbin to third. With two men on....Abreu popped up to short to end the inning.

Zack Kelly crapped his pants in the top of the sixth as Williamson walked to start. Diaz flied out to right and Aranda got a base hit to right to move Williamson to third. Tyler Samaniego came in to pitch to Mullins and Cedric dropped down a squeeze bunt to score Williamson. DeLuca lined out to center to end the inning with the Rays up 4-0.

                                                          Rays get another run

Yoshida grounded out to first to start the bottom of the sixth but Story doubled off the Monster. Gasper hit a seeing eye single to right to score Story to break up the shutout. Mayer grounded out to second to move Gasper to second and chase Martinez. Kevin Kelly came in to pitch and Rafaela swung at strike three in the dirt to end the inning with the Sox down 4-1.

                                                             First rbi of 2026 for Gasper

Justin "Incinerator" Slaten came in to pitch the top of the seventh and Fortes struck out swinging to start. Walls grounded out to first and Simpson flied out to center to end the inning. Durbin grounded out to short to start the bottom of the seventh and Caminero robbed Duran of a base hit. Monasterio hit a rocket....to Walls to end the inning.

Greg Weissert came in to pitch the top of the eighth and Caminero flied out to center to start. Williamson walked and Diaz grounded out to first to move Ben to second. Sox manager Chad Tracy wanted Jovani Moran to face Aranda grounded out to third to end the inning. Garrett Cleavinger came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth and Abreu struck out swinging to start. Carlos Narvaez pinch hit for Yoshida and struck out swinging. Story took strike three to end the inning. 

Mullins flied out to right to start the top of the ninth and DeLuca walked. Fortes grounded into a double play to end the inning. Bryan Baker came in to close out the bottom of the ninth and Gasper doubled to left to start. Mayer walked to bring the tying run to the plate but Rafaela struck out swinging. Durbin grounded out to third to move the runners over but Duran flied out to left to end the game. The Rays had won it 4-1.

                                                               Rays win

Jackass of The Night is Ceddanne Rafaela. He went 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts including a rally killer in the sixth & ninth.

                                                           Jackass Rafaela

The Good:

Willson Contreras was hit with a pitch and had to leave the game.

Andruw Monasterio was 2 for 3.

Masataka Yoshida was 1 for 3.

Mickey Gasper was 3 for 4 with an rbi.

Jovani Moran tossed 1 1/3 scoreless innings.

Justin Slaten tossed a scoreless inning.

Greg Weissert got the first two outs of the eighth inning.

The Bad:

Wilyer Abreu was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Carlos Narvaez was 0 for 1 at the plate.

Zack Kelly allowed a run in the sixth inning.

The Ugly:

Jarren Duran was just 1 for 5.

Caleb Durbin was 0 for 3 but was hit with a pitch.

Trevor Story was just 1 or 4 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts and an error but scored a run.

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

Payton Tolle took the loss but allowed just 3 runs, only one earned in 5 innings off 6 hits.

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

Final Thoughts:

This team can't score when it matters at all. How many games do they get multiple runners on and can't cash in. Where is the power? Losing Alex Bregman and Rafael Devers hurt but the Sox power has COMPLETELY evaporated. Apart from Contreras none of these guys are hitting the longball consistently and that was a staple of last year's offense. The pitching has been carrying the team so far this year but the offense has been historically bad. This is reaching 1992 and 2014 levels and we're barely out of April. Tolle didn't even pitch that bad but the Sox didn't generate any offense. The team might need to be blown up eventually, otherwise they can't possibly play like this all season....right? The loss dropped the Sox to 17-23, 10 games behind the Rays for first place in the AL East. After an off-day tomorrow the Sox are back in action Tuesday night against Kyle Schwarber and the Philadelphia Phillies. Zack Wheeler goes for the Phillies against Captain TBD of Boston. The game begins at 6:45 PM at Fenway Park.

Sox Blank, Sweep Tigers (5/6/26)

Before the game the Boston Red Sox made a roster move. Alec Gamboa was sent back to Worcester and Sonny Gray was activated off the Injured List to make tonight's start against the Detroit Tigers. Getting him back healthy will help big time. Whether he's effective or not is the question.

                                                                 OUT

                                                                          IN

As for the game, welcome back Sonny Gray (3-1, 3.54). The veteran starter came off the Injured List to fire five shutout innings against the Detroit Tigers. Meanwhile the Sox got some clutch hits against Detroit starter Jack Flaherty. In the top of the third, Caleb Durbin drove in Marcelo Mayer with a double and two batters later, Willson Contreras scored Carlos Narvaez with a sac fly. One inning later Colt Keith botched a routine grounder by Narvaez which allowed Masataka Yoshida and Ceddanne Rafaela to score. After Gray was removed for reaching a pitch count, the trio of Tyler Samaniego, Zack Kelly and Greg Weissert kept the shutout intact. It all added up to a three game sweep of the Tigers with a 4-0 victory at Comerica Park.

                                               "Michael Jackson" approves of the win

Flaherty got the ball in the top of the first inning and Jarren Duran struck out swinging to start. Willson Contreras took strike three and Wilyer Abreu went down hacking to end the inning. Gray got the ball in the bottom of the first and Kevin McGonigle popped up to third to start. Matt Vierling lined out to left and Colt Keith flied out to left to end the inning.

Trevor Story went down hacking to begin the top of the second and Mastaka Yoshida watched strike three go by. Ceddanne Rafaela grounded out to first to end the inning. Riley Greene doubled to left to begin the bottom of the second but Dillon Dingler popped up to first. Kerry Carpenter took strike three but Zach McKinstry walked. Spencer Torkelson walked to load the bases and Jace Jung hit a grand slam all the way to.....wait.....what do you mean Abreu made a great diving catch to rob Jung to end the inning?

                                                              Great catch

Move by Abreu's effort, the Sox struck first in the top of the third. Marcelo Mayer got a base hit off the glove of Keith and Carlos Narvaez was hit with a pitch. Caleb Durbin doubled to left to score Mayer but Duran grounded out to first. Contreras hit a sac fly to center to score Narvaez but Abreu flied out to center to end the inning with the Sox up 2-0.

                                                       Durbin drives in a run

McGonigle flied out to left to start the bottom of the third but Vierling got a base hit to center. Somehow Duran gunned down Matt trying to stretch a double but Keith got a base hit to left. Greene got a base hit to right but Dingler flied out to center to end the inning.

Story popped up to first to begin the top of the fourth but Yoshida singled to center. Rafaela walked but Mayer struck out swinging. Narvaez hit a routine grounder to third but Keith booted it for an error to score both runners, moving Carlos to second. Durbin struck out swinging to end the inning but it was 4-0 Sox.

                                                             Two more runs score

Carpenter grounded out to first to begin the bottom of the fourth and McKinstry lined out to left. Torkelson took strike three to end the inning.

Duran went down hacking to open the top of the fifth and Contreras also swung at air. Abreu completed the trifecta by striking out swinging to end the inning. Gray returned for one final inning in the bottom of the fifth as Jung grounded out to third to begin. McGonigle grounded out to first and Vierling popped up to second to end the inning. Gray was on a pitch count in his first start off the injured list and he tossed 5 shutout innings allowing 4 hits and 2 walks.

                                                            Gray did great

Drew Anderson came in to pitch the top of the sixth and Story went down hacking again to begin. Yoshida got a base hit to center but Rafaela struck out swinging. Mayer also went down hacking to end the inning. Tyler Samaniego came in to pitch the bottom of the sixth and Keith grounded out to second to start. Greene struck out swinging and Dingler flied out to center to end the inning.

The Sox blew a rally in the top of the seventh as Narvaez walked to start. Durbin forced Carlos at second but promptly stole second. Durbin moved to third on a balk and Duran drew a walk. Duran stole second and Contreras walked to chase Anderson. Brant Hurter came in to strike out Abreu swinging and get Story to ground out to short to end the inning. Jahmai Jones pinch hit for Carpenter to start the bottom of the seventh and struck out swinging to begin. McKinstry walked but Torkelson struck out swinging. Wencel Perez pinch hit for Jung and hit a liner....caught by Rafaela to end the inning.

                                                            Great catch by Rafaela

Kyle Finnegan came in to pitch the top of the eighth and Yoshida flied out to right to start. Rafaela walked and promptly stole second. Mayer walked but Narvaez grounded into a double play to end the inning. Zack Kelly came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth and McGonigle lined out to right to begin. Vierling and Keith both walked but Greens struck out swinging. Dingler also struck out swinging to end the inning.

Burch Smith came in to pitch the top of the ninth and Durbin grounded out to third to begin. Duran walked but Contreras struck out swinging. Abreu flied out to center to end the inning. Greg Weissert came in to close out the bottom of the ninth and Jones grounded out to short to start. McKinstry popped up to third and Torkelson flied out to center to end the game. The Sox had won it 4-0.

                                                      Sox win

Hero of the Night is Sonny Gray. He came off the Injured List and pitched 5 shutout innings to keep the Sox ahead all game.

                                                                  Hero Gray

The Good:

Masataka Yoshida was 2 for 4 with a run scored.

Ceddanne Rafaela walked twice, scored a run, stole a base and made a great catch.

Marcelo Mayer was 1 for 3 with a walk and a run scored.

Tyler Samaniego tossed two scoreless innings.

Zack Kelly pitched a scoreless inning.

Greg Weissert tossed a scoreless ninth inning.

The Bad:

Trevor Story was 0 for 4 with 2 astrikeouts.

The Ugly:

Jarren Duran was 0 for 3 with 2 strikeouts but walked twice and stole a base.

Willson Contreras was 0 for 3 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts but walked and drove in a run.

Wilyer Abreu was 0 for 5 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts but made a game saving diving catch. 

Carlos Narvaez was 0 for 2 but walked, got hit with a pitch and scored a run.

Caleb Durbin was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but drove in a run and stole a base.

Final Thoughts:

Don't look now but the Red Sox are starting to play better. They've won 6 of the 10 games they've played since axing Alex Cora and are really another big bat away from being serious contenders. Whether that's a returning Triston Casas or a trade deadline move, the Sox need a slugger in the worst way. Sonny Gray returning helped big time and once he's off a pitch count restriction, hopefully he can bolster the reeling rotation. As bad as the Sox started, they still have 5 months to make a comeback but they need to have long win streaks. Can't do that without good starting pitching. Hopefully the kids and Brayan Bello can keep momentum going until Garrett Crochet and Ranger Suarez return. The win improved the Sox to 16-21, 9 games behind the New York Yankees for first place in the AL East. The Sox now come home for a four game set with their AL East rival Tampa Bay Rays. Tomorrow night Jake Bennett (1-0, 1.80) ERA takes on Griffin Jax of Tampa Bay. The game begins at 7:10 PM at Fenway Park.

Bennett, Duran Stop Astros (5/1/26)

Before the game the Boston Red Sox made some roster moves. Portland Sea Dogs catcher Drew Ehrhard retired to become the new Red Sox bullpen catcher. Nate Eaton was sent down to Worcester and the Sox are calling up 25 year old left handed pitcher Jake Bennett to make today's start and his Major League debut. The Sox gambled by sending popular prospect Luis Perales to the Washington Nationals for the more ML ready Bennett and now Jake gets his shot. Good luck to him.

                                                                            OUT

                                                                              IN

As for the game, welcome to the show Jake Bennett (1-0, 1.80 ERA). The highly touted pitching prospect made his ML debut and held the Astros to just 1 run in 5 gutty innings. Bennett allowed a third inning home run to Carlos Correa but Jarren Duran hit a three run jack against Mike Burrows in the bottom of the frame. The usually terrible Sox offense once again did nothing else but the Boston bullpen stepped up. Zack Kelly, Danny Coulombe, Garrett Whitlock and Aroldis Chapman slammed the door as the Sox took the game 3-1 at Fenway Park.

                                                       Freakabritt approves of the win

Bennett got the ball in the top of the first inning and Carlos Correa lined out to left to start. Yordan Alvarez took strike three but Carlos Parades walked. Christian Walker walked but Jose Altuve grounded out to third to end the inning. Burrows got the ball in the bottom of the first inning and Jarren Duran grounded out to second to start. Willson Contreras was plunked but Roman Anthony flied out to left. Wilyer Abreu flied out to center to end the inning.

Yainer Diaz grounded out to second to start the top of the second and Cam Smith struck out swinging. Brice Matthews got a base hit to center and promptly stole second, but Dustin Harris grounded out to first to end the inning. Trevor Story got a base hit to center to begin the bottom of the second but Marcelo Mayer grounded into a double play. Ceddanne Rafaela grounded out to short to end the inning.

The Astros struck first in the top of the third as Correa hit a home run all the way to Mongolia to start. Alvarez grounded out to second but Parades got a base hit to left. Walker grounded into a double play to end the inning with the Astros up 1-0.

                                                          Astros take the lead

Suddenly the Sox sprang to life in the bottom of the third as Carlos Narvaez walked to start. Caleb Durbin got a base hit to center and Duran launched his second home run of the season to put the Sox on top. Contreras got a base hit to left and Anthony singled to right, but Abreu grounded into a double play. Story lined out to short to end the inning with the Sox up 3-1.

                                                           About time Duran

Altuve lined out to center to start the top of the fourth but Diaz got a base hit to left. Smith grounded into a double play to end the inning. Mayer got a base hit to center to start the bottom of the fourth and Rafaela singled to left. Narvaez flied out to left but a passed ball moved both runners over. Durbin hit a grounder to third and Mayer was thrown out at home. Duran popped up to third to end the inning.

Matthews struck out swinging to start the top of the fifth but Harris got a base hit to right. Correa flied out to right and Alvarez grounded out to third to end the inning. That was it for Bennett who held the Astros to 1 run in his Major League debut off 5 hits and 2 walks.

                                                              Good debut for Bennett

Contreras was rung up for strike three to open the bottom of the fifth but Anthony doubled to right. Abreu flied out to left and Story grounded out to first to end the inning.

Zack Kelly came in to pitch the top of the sixth and Parades singled to right to start. Walker struck out swinging but Altuve reached on a swinging bunt in front of the plate. Diaz flied out to center and Smith struck out swinging to end the inning. Mayer struck out swinging to open the bottom of the sixth and Rafaela flied out to center. Narvaez struck out swinging to end the inning.

Matthews grounded out to third to start the top of the seventh and Danny Coulombe came in to face pinch hitter Shay Whitcomb. Shay flied out to right but Correa got a base hit to center. Alvarez forced Correa at second to end the inning. Daniel Johnson came in to play left and Bennett Sousa came in to pitch the bottom of the seventh. Durbin flied out to right, Duran lined out to center and Contreras struck out swinging to end the inning.

Garrett "The Lock" Whitlock came in to pitch the top of the eighth and Parades popped up to first to start. Walker got a base hit to right but Altuve popped up to second. Diaz doubled to center but Smith popped up to first to end the inning. Bryan King came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth and Anthony singled to right to start. Abreu grounded into a double play but Story got a base hit to left. Mayer flied out to left to end the inning.

Aroldis Chapman came in to close out the top of the ninth and Matthews took strike three to start. Old friend Christian Vazquez pinch hit for Johnson and grounded out to short. Correa doubled to center but Alvarez grounded out to second to end the game. The Sox had won it 3-1.

                                                         Sox win

Hero of The Night is Jake Bennett. He won his ML debut by going 5 innings and holding the Astros to just 1 run.

                                                     Hero Bennett

The Good:

Willson Contreras was 1 for 3 with a hit by pitch.

Roman Anthony was 3 for 4.

Trevor Story was 2 for 4.

Ceddanne Rafaela was 1 for 3.

Caleb Durbin was 1 for 3.

Zack Kelly tossed 1 1/3 scoreless innings.

Danny Coulombe got the final 2 outs of the seventh inning.

Garrett Whitlock pitched a scoreless eighth inning.

Aroldis Chapman earned his sixth save with a scoreless ninth inning.

The Bad:

Wilyer Abreu was 0 for 4.

The Ugly:

Jarren Duran was just 1 for 4 but the one hit was a 3 run home run.

Marcelo Mayer was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout.

Carlos Narvaez was 0 for 2 with a strikeout but walked and scored a run.

Final Thoughts:

Good win but the same offensive problems remain. Apart from one swing from Duran this would have been a 1-0 loss. The Sox already replaced the manager and the hitting coach and nothing really has changed. The offensive woes continue although the pitching has been solid. Bennett looked good in his debut the the bullpen held the fort in this one. The 8-9 combo of Whitlock and Chapman has been deadly since the beginning of last year and its unfortunate that they don't get many chances to be used in that role since the Sox bats have been completely incompetent. There's still time to turn the season around but unless Triston Casas and Romy Gonzalez come back soon, it seems highly unlikely a comeback is in order. The win improved the Sox to 13-19, 8 games behind the New York Yankees for first place in the AL East. The Sox look to mke it two in a row against the Astros tomorrow afternoon against the Astros when Connelly Early (2-1) takes on Spencer Arrighetti of Houston. The game begins at 4:10 PM at Fenway Park.

Yesavage, Jays Blank Sox (4/28/26)

The good news was the Boston Bruins won Game 5 of their first round NHL playoff series but not only did the Boston Celtics lose Game 5 of their first round NBA playoff series, but the Boston Red Sox were once again shut out. Toronto Blue Jays rookie Trey Yesavage held the Sox to just 4 measly hits in 5 1/3 innings. Not only did the Sox offense shoot blanks again, new manager Chad Tracy managed just like Alex Cora. In the bottom of the fifth, Peyton Tolle (0-1, 3.38 ERA) was trailing 2-0 with 2 men on at just 68 pitches. Tracy yanked Tolle for Zack Kelly and Vladimir Guerrero Jr knocked home a run to essentially ice the game. The Sox got zero hits against the Toronto bullpen and the Jays ended the Sox 3 game win streak with a 3-0 win at the Skydome. How many runs did the Sox score John Cena?

Yesavage got the ball in the top of the first inning and Jarren Duran grounded out to second to start. Willson Contreras doubled to left and moved to third on the Roman Anthony grounder to second, but Wilyer Abreu flied out to left to end the inning. Tolle got the ball in the bottom of the first and Myles Straw's bunt attempt was snuffed out by Contreras. Ernie Clement walked but Vladimir Guerrero Jr flied out to right. Kazuma Okamoto popped up to third to end the inning.

Trevor Story caught Yesavage asleep with a bunt single to start the top of the second but Masataka Yoshida flied out to left. Carlos Narvaez hit one up the elevator shaft but Marcelo Mayer got a base hit to right to move Story to third. Caleb Durbin flied out to right to end the inning. Daulton Varsho struck out swinging to start the bottom of the second and Eloy Jimenez lined out to center. Davis Schneider walked and Tyler Heineman struck out swinging to end the inning.

Duran lined out to right to start the top of the third and Contreras grounded out to short. Anthony flied out to left to end the inning. The Jays put the game away in the bottom of the third as Andres Gimenez singled to center to start. Straw struck out swinging and Clement popped up to second, but Guerrero Jr doubled to left. Okamoto got a base hit to left to score both runners but was thrown out at second to end the inning with the game already over 2-0.

                                                       Okamoto gives the Jays the lead

The Sox failed to respond in the top of the fourth as Abreu struck out swinging to start. Story took strike three but Yoshida got a base hit to right. Narvaez flied out to right to end the inning. Varsho struck out swinging to start the bottom of the fourth and Jimenez grounded out to short. Schneider flied out to center to end the inning.

Straw made a great sliding catch to rob Mayer of extra bases to start the top of the fifth and Durbin popped up to short. Duran lined out to center to end the inning. The Jays iced the game in the bottom of the fifth as Heineman popped up to third to start. Gimenez grounded back to the mound but both Straw and Clement worked back to back walks. Shades of Alex Cora, Sox manager Chad Tracy yanked Tolle after just 68 pitches because he was terrified of him facing Guerrero. Tolle would be charged with 3 runs in just 4 2/3 innings. Naturally Zack Kelly came in and Guerrero got a base hit to center to score Straw to ice the game. Okamoto grounded out to third to end the inning with the Jays up 3-0.

                                                               Tolle deserved better

Contreras struck out swinging to start the top of the sixth and that was it for Yesavage....tossing 5 1/3 shutout innings. Mason Fluharty got Anthony to ground out to first but Abreu walked. Story flied out to center to end the inning. Varsho struck out swinging to start the bottom of the sixth and Jimenez also went down hacking. Schneider walked to chase Kelly, bringing Tyler Samaniego into the game. Heineman forced Schneider at second to end the inning.

Jeff Hoffman came in to pitch the top of the seventh and Yoshida took strike three right down the middle to start. Narvaez struck out swinging and Mayer grounded out to first to end the inning. Gimenez popped up to second to start the bottom of the seventh but Straw got a base hit to center. That was it for Samaniego and Ryan Watson was summoned. Clement lined out to center but Guerrero Jr was hit with a pitch. Okamoto struck out swinging to end the inning.

Tyler Rogers came in to pitch the top of the eighth and Durbin lined out to first to start. Duran took strike three and Contreras grounded out to second to end the inning. Varsho got a base hit to center to start the bottom of the eighth and Jesus Sanchez pinch hit for Jimenez. Sanchez popped up to third and Schneider grounded into a double play to end the inning.

Louis Varland came in to close out the top of the ninth and Anthony struck out swinging to start. Abreu went down hacking and Story swung at air to end the game. The Jays had won it 3-0.

                                                            Jays win

Jackass of The Night is a tough one but we'll go with Caleb Durbin. He was 0 for 3 including leaving 2 men on in the Sox best chance of the night.

                                                              Jackass Durbin

The Good:

Masataka Yoshida was 1 for 3.

Marcelo Mayer was 1 for 3.

Tyler Samaniego tossed 2/3 of a scoreless inning.

Ryan Watson tossed 1 2/3 scoreless innings.

The Bad:

Jarren Duran was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Roman Anthony was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Carlos Narvaez was 0 for 3 with a strikeout.

Peyton Tolle took the loss allowing 3 runs in 4 2/3 innings off 3 hits and 4 walks.

The Ugly:

Willson Contreras was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout.

Wilyer Abreu was 0 for 3 with a strikeout but walked.

Trevor Story was just 1 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

Zack Kelly allowed an inherited runner to score but none of his own in an inning of work.

Final Thoughts:

Meet the new Sox, same as the old Sox. Sox brass has been insisting that Alex Cora and the ex-coaches were the problem as the Sox were unprepared and lifeless under him. Well they are just as unprepared and lifeless without him as showcased tonight. In a battle of 2024 draft picks, Yesavage dominated the Sox while Tolle looked mortal against the Jays. It might be time to start axing some of the players since its primarily their fault they look like garbage night in and night out. You can only blame the general manager and the manager for so much, but at the end of the day its up to the players to lay off bad pitches or put on competitive at-bats. Jarren Duran is hitting .172, Trevor Story is hitting .193, Roman Anthony is hitting .209 and Caleb Durbin is hitting .168. There's your problem right there. Durbin is only in his second year and he's adjusting to a new franchise, Anthony is also in his second year and will be given every opportunity to bust out of it, but the other two are supposed to be your team leaders. We've seen Duran and Story hit a lot better than this so if they continue to suck, it might be time to look for trading partners. Story's contract is up after next year and Duran's up after this year. There's still time to turn it around but those three can't continue to drag the team down night after night. The silver lining is the bullpen held the Jays scoreless with Tyler Samaniego's 7th consecutive scoreless appearance. Marcelo Mayer seems to be responding to Chad Tracy, hopefully Anthony will pick it up soon as well. The Sox play their final game in April tomorrow afternoon against the Jays with Brayan Bello (1-3, 9.00 ERA) looking to improve on his last outing against  Eric Lauer of Toronto. The game begins at 3:05 PM at the Skydome.