Rays Snuff Out Sox Rally For Sweep (6/10/26)

Before the game the Boston Red Sox made a roster move. Jake Bennett was called up from Worcester to make the start for the Sox in today's game. Alec Gamboa was sent down to Worcester to make room for Bennett.

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As for the game, the season just gets worse for the Red Sox. They dropped their fifth game in a row as they invented a new way to lose to the Tampa Bay Rays. Spot starter Jake Bennett (1-2, 5.28 ERA) was rocked for 4 runs in 5 innings by the Rays offense and Ryan Watson allowed a run of his own to put the Rays up 5-0 after seven innings. Suddenly the Sox rallied for four runs in the top of the eighth highlighted by a three run Ceddanne Rafaela home run. Just when the Sox were back in it, Justin Slaten allowed a two run home run by Cedric Mullins in the bottom of the eighth. The Sox did get a Caleb Durbin home run in the ninth inning and the tying run to the plate, but Garrett Cleavinger struck out Andruw Monasterio to end the game. The Rays had swept the Red Sox out of Tampa Bay with a 7-5 victory over the Sox at Tropicana Field.

                                                     "Rays almost celebrated too soon"

Dennis Rasmussen got the ball in the top of the first inning and Jarren Duran struck out swinging to start. Ceddanne Rafaela struck out swinging and Wilyer Abreu struck out swinging to end the inning. Bennett got the ball in the bottom of the first inning and Yandy Diaz flied out to center to start. Austin Slater struck out swinging and Junior Caminero also went down hacking to end the inning.

Willson Contreras struck out swinging to start the top of the second inning and Mickey Gasper lined out to short. Masataka Yoshida lined out to right to end the inning. Ryan Vilade grounded out to short to start the bottom of the second and Jonathan Aranda took struke three. Ben Williamson grounded out to first to end the inning.

Caleb Durbin got a base hit to right to start the top of the third but was forced at second by Isiah Kiner-Falefa. Kiner was thrown out at third trying to steal and Andruw Monasterio took strike three to end the inning. The Rays struck first in the bottom of the third as Nick Fortes doubled to center to start. Cedric Mullins dropped down a bunt to move Fortes to third and Taylor Walls hit a sac fly to center to score Fortes to put the Rays on top. Diaz popped up to third to end the inning with the Rays up 1-0.

                                                            Rays strike first

Duran struck out swinging to open the top of the fourth and Rafaela did the same. Abreu also went down hacking to end the inning. Slater flied out to right to start the bottom of the fourth but Caminero got a base hit to right. Vilade popped up to short but Aranda singled to center. Williamson flied out to center to end the inning.

Contreras was hit with a pitch to start the top of the fifth but Gasper flied out to right. Yoshida got a base hit to right but Durbin popped up to first. Kiner grounded out to third to end the inning. The Rays finished off Bennett in the bottom of the fifth as Fortes doubled to center to start. Mullins struck out swinging but Walls dropped down a bunt single to move Fortes to third. Diaz singled in the hole at short to score Fortes and Slater doubled off the glove of Bennett into left field to score Walls. Caminero was intentionally walked to load the bases and Vilade hit a sac fly to right to score Diaz. Aranda forced Caminero at second to end the inning with the Rays up 4-0. That was it for Bennett as he got rocked for 4 runs in 5 innings off 7 hits and a walk.

                                                            Bennett wasn't good enough

Monasterio flied out to center to start the top of the sixth and Duran struck out swinging. Rafaela took strike three to end the inning. Ryan Watson came in to pitch the bottom of the sixth as Williamson grounded out to first to start. Fortes singled to left but Mullins popped up to third. Walls singled to right and Diaz got a base hit to left to score Fortes. Walls stole second and took third on a wild pitch, but Slater grounded out to short to end the inning with the Rays up 5-0.

                                                              Diaz drives in a run

Abreu struck out swinging to open the top of the seventh and Contreras went down hacking. Gasper walked but Yoshida struck out swinging to end the inning. Caminero grounded out to third to start the bottom of the seventh and Vilade grounded out to second. Aranda flied out to left to end the inning.

Suddenly the Sox rallied in the top of the eighth with Cole Sulser on the mound. Durbin finally hit his first real home run and second of the season to start. Kiner walked but Monasterio struck out swinging. Old pal Steve Matz came in to face Duran and Jarren singled to center. Rafaela then pounded a three run bomb to bring the Sox within a run. Abreu grounded out to second and Casey Legumina came in to face Contreras. Willson grounded out to short to end the inning with the Sox down 5-4.

                                                                  Sox are back in it

Just as soon as the Sox clawed their way back, Justin Slaten pissed down his leg in the bottom of the eighth. Williamson popped up to second but Fortes singled to left. Chandler Simpson ran for Fortes and Mullins settled matter with a home run all the way to Toronto to ice the game. Walls flied out to center but Diaz singled to right to chase the incompetent Slaten. Greg Weissert struck out Slater looking to end the inning with the Rays up 7-4.

                                                              Mullins ices it

Hunter Feduccia came in for Slater with Garrett Cleavinger in to close out the top of the ninth. Gasper grounded out to first and Nate Eaton pinch hit for Yoshida. Eaton lined out to center but Durbin smacked his second home run of the game to cut the lead. Kiner walked to bring the tying run to the plate then took second on defensive indifference. Monasterio struck out swinging to end the game. The Rays had swept the Sox with a 7-5 victory.

                                                             Rays win

Jackass of The Night is Justin Slaten. The Sox had just clawed back to make it a one run game and he allowed 2 runs in the bottom of the eighth.

                                                                 Jackass Slaten

The Good:

Masataka Yoshida was 1 for 3.

Caleb Durbin was 3 for 4 with 2 home runs. 

Isiah Kiner-Falefa walked twice in four plate appearances, stole a base and scored a run.

Greg Weissert struck out the only man he faced.

The Bad:

Wilyer Abreu was 0 for 4 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts.

Nate Eaton was 0 for 1 at the plate.

Andruw Monasterio was 0 for 4 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts.

Jake Bennett allowed 4 runs in 5 innings off 7 hits and a walk.

The Ugly:

Jarren Duran was just 1 for 4 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts but scored a run.

Ceddanne Rafaela was just 1 for 4 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts but the one hit was a 3 run home run.

Willson Contreras was 0 for 3 with 2 strikeouts but was hit with a pitch.

Mickey Gasper was 0 for 3 but walked.

Ryan Watson allowed a run in an inning of work.

Final Thoughts:

Nice to see Caleb Durbin wake up but it might be too little, too late. Shades of 2022, the Red Sox can't beat the AL East. Both the Toronto Blue Jays and Tampa Bay Rays have had their number this season. Even the Baltimore Orioles took 2 of 3 at Fenway last week. This season is eerily similar to 2022 with all the injuries and them being inept against the AL East. The sad part is they finally showed some life but Slaten couldn't hold the fort. A shutdown inning might have been the difference in the game if Durbin was going yard again. This season is circling the drain with a lot of the blame on Craig Breslow for putting the team together. Losing Alex Bregman and Rafael Devers and replacing them with Caleb Durbin and Masataka Yoshida has been an unmitigated disaster. Bennett didn't look good today so maybe that first start was just a fluke. Remember when the 2022 Sox had to rely on four rookies in the rotation when everyone got hurt, now they're up to 3 with Bennett, Payton Tolle and Connelly Early. They might get the first overall pick if things keep going the way they are. The loss dropped the Sox to 27-39. good for last place in the AL East. After an off-day tomorrow the Sox are back in action on Friday night at home against the Texas Rangers. Sonny Gray (7-1) takes on Jack Leiter of Texas. The game begins at 7:10 PM at Fenway Park.

Rays Hold Off Sox (6/9/26)

Before the game the Boston Red Sox made a roster move. The Sox activated Garrett Whitlock from the Injured List and sent Anthony Seigler back to Worcester. The Sox need him, Justin Slaten and Aroldis Chapman healthy because they're going to be pitching in a lot of games this season considering how bad the Sox offense is. Hopefully Whitlock is really healthy, who knows with this medical staff.

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As for the game, this might be the worst Boston Red Sox season when all is said and done. If the Sox fall behind at all or allow more than three runs, they don't win. Case in point, the Sox took a 1-0 lead on Nick Martinez and the Tampa Bay Rays only for the Rays to rally for 3 runs against Sox starter Payton Tolle (3-3, 2.70 ERA) in the bottom of the fourth. The Rays got a fourth run in the bottom of the sixth and at that point, the Sox haven't won a game all season when trailing after 8 innings or by multiple runs. Then the Sox rallied with 3 straight hits to start the top of the eighth to pull within a run. Kevin Kelly came in and snuffed out the Sox rally with 3 straight outs. Bryan Baker slammed the door in the ninth inning easily and the Rays had sent the Sox to their third straight loss with a 4-3 victory at Tropicana Field.

                                                      Dr. Grace hates failed rallies

Martinez got the ball in the top of the first inning and Duran flied out to center to start. Ceddanne Rafaela popped up to first and Wilyer Abreu popped up to short to end the inning. Tolle got the ball in the bottom of the first and Yandy Diaz got a base hit to right to start. Junior Caminero doubled to center but Chandler Simpson hit a bullet to Caleb Durbin who doubled off Diaz at third. Tolle dropped a pop up by Ryan Vilade for an error and Vilade made him pay with a base hit inside the bag at first to move Caminero to third. A passed ball moved Vilade to second but Austin Slater grounded out to short to end the inning.

Willson Contreras struck out swinging to start the top of the second and Masataka Yoshida grounded out to second. Mickey Gasper popped up to short to end the inning. Cedric Mullins popped up to third to start the bottom of the second and Ben Williamson grounded back to the mound. Nick Fortes flied out to right to end the inning.

Durbin lined out to left to start the top of the third but Isiah Kiner-Falefa doubled to left. Marcelo Mayer grounded out to short to move Kiner to third and Duran got a base hit to center to score Isiah. Rafaela flied out to right to end the inning with the Sox up 1-0.

                                                        Duran drives in a run

Richie Palacios struck out swinging to start the bottom of the third and Diaz flied out to right. Caminero struck out swinging to end the inning.

Williamson made a great catch to rob Abreu of a base hit to start the top of the fourth and Contreras grounded out to second. Yoshida lined out to left to end the inning. The Rays struck back in the bottom of the fourth as Simpson's bunt attempt was snuffed out by Gasper to start. Vilade doubled to left but Slater popped up to third. Mullins got a base hit to right to score Vilade and took second on the throw. Williamson doubled to left to score Mullins and Fortes did the same to ice the game. Palacios grounded out to second to end the inning with the game already over 3-1 Rays.

                                                           Rays take command

Gasper flied out to right to start the top of the fifth and Durbin lined out to left. Kiner also lined out to left to end the inning. Diaz walked to start the bottom of the fifth and Caminero flied out to left. Simpson took strike three and Vilade lined out to center to end the inning.

Simpson made a good running catch to rob Mayer of a hit to start the top of the sixth and Duran struck out swinging. Rafaela grounded out to second to end the inning. Slater grounded out to short to start the bottom of the sixth and Mullins popped up to short. Williamson got a base hit in the hole at short and Fortes was hit with a pitch. Palacios got a base hit to center to score Williamson. Diaz flied out to center to end the inning with the Sox down 4-1. That was it for Tolle who gave up 4 runs off 9 hits and a walk in 6 innings of work.

                                                              Tolle wasn't good enough

Abreu doubled to center to start the top of the seventh but Contreras popped up to first. Yoshida grounded out to first to move Abreu to third and Gasper flied out to right to end the inning. Tommy Kahnle came in to pitch the bottom of the seventh and Caminero grounded out to second to start. Simpson struck out swinging but Vilade singled to left. Slater beat out a roller to third but Vilade got caught in a rundown to end the inning.

The Sox somehow rallied in the top of the eighth as Durbin got a base hit to left to start. Kiner got a base hit to center and Mayer somehow doubled to right to score both runners. With the tying run at second, Kevin Kelly came in to face Duran. Jarren grounded out to first to move Mayer to third but Rafaela grounded out to second. Abreu grounded out to short to end the inning with the Sox still down 4-3.

                                                         Mayer comes through

Garrett Whitlock came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth as Mullins took strike three to start...only for Gasper to muff the ball allowing Cedric to reach. Williamson hit a bullet to Rafaela who threw out Mullins at first. Fortes got a base hit to right but Palacios grounded out to first to end the inning.

Taylor Walls took over at second with Bryan Baker on to start the top of the ninth. Contreras popped up to second, Yoshida grounded out to first and Gasper grounded out to first to end the game. The Rays had won it 4-3.

                                                              Rays win

Jackass of The Night is Ceddanne Rafaela. He was 0 for 4 and left the tying run on third in the top of the eighth.

                                                        Nice going, Jackass

The Good:

Chad Durbin was 1 for 3 with a run scored.

Isiah Kiner-Falefa was 2 for 3 with 2 runs scored.

Marcelo Mayer was 1 for 3 with 2 rbis.

Tommy Kahnle pitched a scoreless seventh inning.

Garrett Whitlock pitched a scoreless eighth inning.

The Bad:

Willson Contreras was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Masataka Yoshida was 0 for 4.

Mickey Gasper was 0 for 4.

Payton Tolle took the loss by allowing 4 runs in 6 innings off 9 hits and a walk.

The Ugly:

Jarren Duran was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but drove in a run.

Wilyer Abreu was just 1 for 4.

Final Thoughts:

This team can't win if they're down by 3 or in the ninth. That's the most embarrassing part of this miserable season is how gutless they are. They've had a historically bad offense all season with Roman Anthony, Trevor Story, Jarren Duran, Carlos Narvaez, Caleb Durbin and Marcelo Mayer all underperforming. Now with Anthony and Story out, the offense didn't really get any better. Rumors are swirling that the Sox are going to be sellers at the deadline and Sonny Gray, Aroldis Chapman and Willson Contreras are as good as gone. At this point, its hard to argue selling because what they're doing didn't work. You can't blame Sox GM Craig Breslow for injuries, but relying on too many second year players is biting them big time. The worst part is there's still 97 games remaining in the season to go. The loss dropped the Sox to 27-38, good for last place in the AL East. The Sox look to avoid a sweep tomorrow afternoon against the Rays when Jake Bennett (1-1) takes on Drew Rasmussen of Tampa Bay. The game begins at 1:10 PM at Tropicana Field.

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

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

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

                                                       "Only one run......"

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

                                                                Diaz jacks one

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

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

                                                                 Mayer ties it up

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

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

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

                                                           Early wasn't the sharpest

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

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

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

                                                                   Sac fly for Diaz

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

                                                                Rays win

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

                                                                Jackass Coulombe

The Good:

Marcelo Mayer was 1 for 2 with a home run.

Tyron Guerrero tossed 1 1/3 scoreless innings.

Greg Weissert got the first out of the seventh

The Bad:

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

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

Andrew Monasterio struck out in his only at-bat.

Carlos Narvaez was 0 for 3.

The Ugly:

Ceddanne Rafael was just 1 for 4.

Wilyer Abreu was just 1 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

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

Mickey Gasper was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout.

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

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

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

Final Thoughts:

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

Yankees Drop Sox Late (6/7/26)

Bad teams find a way to lose and that was the case for the Boston Red Sox today. Ranger Suarez went mano e mano with New York Yankees ace Cam Schlittler. Paul Goldschmidt got an rbi base hit in the bottom of the fifth but the Sox knocked Schlittler out on a Ceddanne Rafaela rbi double. Then in the bottom of the eighth inning, Justin Slaten imploded. After blowing away the first two batters, Cody Bellinger took him deep and Slaten became unglued, allowing another run. Then Chad Tracy brought in Joe La Sorsa who allowed a three run bomb to Jazz Chisholm Jr. David Bednar slammed the door in the ninth inning and the Sox dropped to nine games under .500 with a 6-1 defeat at Yankee Stadium.

Schlittler got the ball in the top of the first and Jarren Duran popped up to second to start. Ceddanne Rafaela dumped a base hit to right but Wilyer Abreu struck out swinging. Willson Contreras popped up to short to end the inning. Suarez got the ball in the bottom of the first and Paul Goldschmidt popped up to first on the first pitch. Ben Rice took strike three and Cody Bellinger popped up to a running Duran to end the inning. 

Masataka Yoshida struck out swinging to start the top of the second and Mickey Gasper popped up to left. Caleb Durbin struck out swinging to end the inning. Amed Rosario lined out to short to start the bottom of the second and Trent Grisham popped up to third. Anthony Volpe flied out to center to end the inning.

Anthony Seigler walked to start the top of the third but Marcelo Mayer popped up to short. Duran grounded out to first to move Seigler to second but Rafaela struck out swinging to end the inning. Jazz Chisholm Jr struck out swinging to start the bottom of the third and Jose Caballero popped up to second. Ali Sanchez grounded out to short to end the inning.

Abreu popped up to left to start the top of the fourth and Contreras popped up to center. Yoshida lined out to left to end the inning. Goldschmidt hit a broken bat bloop singled to left to start the bottom of the fourth but Rice flied out to left. Bellinger blooped a base hit to left but Rosario hit a liner to Mayer. Grisham drilled a base hit to center to load the bases and Andrew Bailey sprinted to the mound to tell Suarez that NCIS was on in the clubhouse. Suarez was so excited he got Volpe to fly out to center to end the inning.

Gasper took strike three to start the top of the fifth and Durbin grounded out to short. Seigler drilled a double into the left field corner but Mayer grounded out weakly to second to end the inning. That's 1 earned run allowed in 21 innings for Schlittler against the Red Sox going back to last October. Chisholm Jr struck out swinging to start the bottom of the fifth but Caballero doubled into the left field corner. Sanchez struck out swinging but Goldschmidt blooped a base hit to right to score Jose, putting the Yankees up. Rice popped up to left to end the inning with the Yankees up 1-0.

                                                           Yankees strike first

Duran grounded out to first to start the top of the sixth but Rafaela ripped a base hit to left. Abreu flied out to left but Contreras somehow doubled off the left field fence to score Rafaela. Suddenly Aaron Boone yanked Schlittler after just 92 pitches and had Fernando Cruz to pitch to Yoshida. Masataka popped up to center to end the inning with the game tied 1-1.

                                                              Contreras ties it up

Bellinger struck out swinging to start the bottom of the sixth and Rosario lined out to a running Duran. Grisham doubled to the centerfield fence but Volpe popped up to first to end the inning.

Gasper hit a seeing eye single into right to start the top of the seventh but Durbin popped up to left. Brent Headrick came in to face Seigler but Sox manager Chad Tracy countered by bringing in Andruw Monasterio to pinch hit. Monasterio hit a little roller to second and beat it out with a head first slide. Isiah Kiner-Falefa pinch hit for Mayer and naturally grounded into a double play to end the inning.

Chisholm Jr struck out swinging to open the bottom of the seventh but Mr. Analytics Chad Tracy pulled Suarez after 90 pitches. Suarez allowed 6 hits and no walks in 6 1/3 innings. Tyron Guerrero came in to face Caballero and Jose was retired on a chopper in front of the plate. Spencer Jones pinch hit for Sanchez and struck out swinging on a 103 mph fastball to end the inning.

                                                        Suarez shut the Yankees down

Tim Hill came in to pitch the top of the eighth and Duran flied out to left to start. Rafaela lined out to right and Abreu grounded out to third to end the inning. Justin "Incinerator" Slaten came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth and Goldschmidt struck out swinging to start. Rice also went down hacking but naturally Bellinger hit a home run all the way to Cuba to put the Yankees up for good. Rosario got a base hit to right off the rattled Slaten then promptly stole second. Naturally Grisham drilled a base hit to right to score Rosario for the insurance run. Grisham stole second and Volpe walked on four pitches not even close. One bad pitch to Bellinger and he went right in the tank. Joe La Sorsa made his Sox debut....by allowing a three run bomb to Chisholm as Yankee fans laughed at the Red Sox. Caballero took strike three to end the inning with the Yankees up 6-1.

                                                           Yankees take the lead

Ryan McMahon took over at third with David Bednar in to pitch the top of the ninth. Contreras struck out swinging, Yoshida grounded out to short and Gasper lined out to left to end the game. The Yankees had won the game 6-1.

                                                                Yankees win

Jackass of The Night is Justin Slaten. He was charged with 4 runs in the eighth inning

                                                            Jackass Slaten

The Good:

Ceddanne Rafaela was 2 for 4 with a run scored.

Anthony Siegler was 1 for 1 with a walk

Andruw Monasterio was 1 for 1 at the plate.

Ranger Suarez allowed 1 run in 6 1/3 innings off 6 hits while striking out 6.

Tyson Guerrero got the final two outs of the seventh inning.

The Bad:

Jarren Duran was 0 for 4

Wilyer Abreu was 0 for 4 with a strikeout

Masataka Yoshida was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Chad Durbin was 0 for 3 with a strikeout.

Marcelo Mayer was 0 for 2

Isiah Kiner-Falefa grounded into a double play in his only at-bat.

Joe La Sorsa allowed a 3 run home run in the bottom of the eighth

The Ugly:

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

Mickey Gasper was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout.

Final Thoughts:

Bad teams find a way to lose and the Sox did. Chad Tracy is another analytics puppet just like Alex Cora was. More proof that Craig Breslow is calling the shots from the front office....and failing miserably. Pinch hitting Isiah Kiner because of analytics, bringing in career 5.00 ERA Joe La Sorsa to face a lefty. Taking Suarez out after 90 pitches. Its all Breslow and its all bad. Rumors are that Connor Wong and Aroldis Chapman are on the trade block but does anybody trust Breslow at this point. After Theo Epstein saying he wasn't impressed, the Sox not improving at all after Alex Cora got fired and their inability to win at home, its only a matter of time before someone else is gone. Either the players, Breslow or both. The Yankees got one big hit from Bellinger and that's all they needed to put the Sox in the tank. Bad teams don't let that happen. Now the Sox travel to Tampa Bay to get bitchslapped by the Rays. Connelly Early (5-3, 3.26 ERA) goes for the Sox against Captain TBD of Tampa Bay. The game begins tomorrow night at 6:40 PM at Tropicana Field.

Rainout News (6/6/26)

Tonight's game between the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox has been postponed due to rain and will now be apart of an August 29th day/night doubleheader.

In terms of roster moves, Jovani Moran was placed on the 15 day Injured List with left elbow inflammation and Alec Gamboa has been called up to replace him. Patrick Sandoval is just about ready for his debut so this is just rearranging the Titanic deck chairs.

                                                                     OUT

                                                                    IN

In other news, Garrett "The Lock" Whitlock was sent to Worcester for some rehab work. He reportedly slipped on the mound during that rainy game and his knee buckled. It sounds like he's going to be okay.

                                                                   Coming back soon

Lastly, Jeremy Wu-Yelland begins his rehab with the Florida Complex Sox. He had a pretty good season for Portland last season and this might be his last chance to show something. He was drafted six years ago and its been one injury after another.

                                                            About to make his season debut

The Sox return to action tomorrow afternoon when Ranger Suarez (2-3, 3.38 ERA) takes the mound against Walpole's own Cam Schittler of the New York Yankees. The game begins at 1:35 PM at Yankee Stadium.

Gray, Sox Shut Down Yankees (6/5/26)

Before the game the Boston Red Sox made some roster moves. Yesterday the Sox sent a brown sack full of money to the Pittsburgh Pirates for 28 year old journeyman relief pitcher Joe La Sorsa with a career record of 1-1 with a 5.21 ERA. With all the bullpen depth the Sox already have, this seems like a head scratcher. The Sox mercifully optioned Brayan Bello to Worcester in hopes they can fix his mental issue of getting past the first inning. On top of that, Patrick Sandoval has been sent to Worcester for rehab work so his debut might be coming. Garrett Crochet was transferred to the 60 Day Injured List but don't let the days fool you, its retroactive to him being placed on it at the end of April. He might be ready in 3 weeks. To make room for Bello, the Sox immediately activated La Sorsa. The Sox still have 5 games remaining until their next off-day so either they're going to go with an opener or bring up Jake Bennett.

                                                                               OUT

                                                                           IN

As for the game, the Boston Red Sox may request to move their remaining home games on the road or in the immortal words of Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach John McKay, "we'd like to have a neutral site." The Sox once again played better on the road as they came to New York to knock off the second place Yankees. Sonny Gray (7-1, 3.20 ERA) didn't have his sharpest outing but still held the Aaron Judge-less Yankees to just 3 runs in 6 1/3 innings. The Sox bats woke up against Yankees starter Ryan Weathers as the Sox turned a 1-0 deficit into a 2-1 lead when Wilyer Abreu and Willson Contreras drove in runs in the third inning. Andrew Monasterio and Contreras both hit home runs as the Sox survived an rbi double from Spencer Jones and a Trent Grisham home run to put the game in the hands of the bullpen. The trio of Danny Coulombe, Justin "Incinerator" Slaten, and Aroldis Chapman slammed the door on the Yankees as the Sox took this one 5-3 at Yankee Stadium.

                                                         Jade approves of the win

Weathers got the ball in the top of the first and Jarren Duran flied out to left to start. Ceddanne Rafaela grounded out to short and Wilyer Abreu flied out to center to end the inning. The Yankees wasted no time getting to Gray in the bottom of the first as Trent Grisham grounded out to second to start. Ben Rice hit a home run all the way into the Long Island Sound to put the Yankees on top. Paul Goldschmidt flied out to center and Cody Bellinger grounded out to second to end the inning with the Yankees up 1-0.

                                                             Yankees strike first

Willson Contreras led off the top of the second with a liner to center but Caleb Durbin singled to right. Isiah Kiner-Falefa grounded out to short to move Caleb to second, and Durbin moved to third on a wild pitch. Andruw Monasterio grounded out to third to end the inning. Jazz Chisholm Jr lined out to second to start the bottom of the second but Spencer Jones got a base hit to center. Anthony Volpe got a base hit to right but Ryan McMahon flied out to left. Austin Wells also flied out to left to end the inning.

The Sox struck back in the top of the third as Mickey Gasper struck out swinging to start. Connor Wong got a base hit to left and Duran got a base hit off the glove of Goldschmidt to move Connor to third. Duran stole second and Rafaela walked to load the bases. Abreu grounded out to short to score Wong and Contreras beat out a roller to the mound to score Duran. Durbin grounded out to third to end the inning with the Sox up 2-1.

                                                     Another rbi for Contreras

Trent Grisham grounded out to second to open the bottom of the third but Rice walked. Goldschmidt grounded into a double play to end the inning.

The Sox got another run in the top of the fourth although Kiner struck out swinging. Monasterio blasted his second home run of the season but Gasper grounded out to short. Wong took strike three to end the inning with the Sox ahead 3-1.

                                                          Home run Monasterio

The Yankees struck back in the bottom of the fourth as Bellinger walked to start. Chisholm forced Bellinger at second then promptly stole second. Jones doubled to right to score Jazz but Volpe hit a liner to Monasterio, doubling off Jones to end the inning with the Yankees down 3-2.

                                                         Jones drives in a run

The Sox got some big insurance in the top of the fifth although Duran struck out swinging to start. Rafaela lined out to left but Abreu got a base hit to right. Contreras then launched his 13th home run of the season into the upper deck to silence Yankee Stadium. Durbin grounded out to second to end the inning with the Sox ahead 5-2.

                                                             Sox go up by 3

The Yankees answered in the bottom of the fifth as McMahon lined out to center to start. Wells flied out to right but Grisham hit a home run all the way to Niagara Falls to cut the lead. Rice got a base hit to right but Goldschmidt grounded out to short to end the inning with the Yankees down 5-3.

                                                           Yankees still in this one

Kiner popped up to short to start the top of the sixth and Monasterio did the same. Gasper flied out to left to end the inning. Bellinger struck out swinging to open the bottom of the sixth and Chisholm did the same. Jones got a base hit to right but Volpe lined out to center to end the inning.

Paul Blackburn came in to pitch the top of the seventh and Wong grounded out to third to start. Duran grounded out to second and Rafaela lined out to left to end the inning. McMahon got a base hit to right to start the bottom of the seventh but Wells struck out swinging. Despite being at just 79 pitches, Sox manager Chad Tracy went to the analytics to take him out with "dangerous" hitters coming up. Gray allowed 3 runs in 6 1/3 innings and Danny Coulombe came in to pitch. Grisham flied out to center but Contreras and Monasterio collided on a pop up from Rice to give him new life. Rice struck out swinging anyway to end the inning.

                                                          Gray was solid in this one

Abreu struck out swinging to start the top of the eighth and Contreras did the same. Durbin grounded out to short to end the inning. Justin "Incinerator" Slaten came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth and Goldschmidt grounded out to second to start. Bellinger grounded out to second as well and Chisholm flied out to left to end the inning.

Camilo Doval came in to pitch the top of the ninth and Kiner grounded out to third to start. Marcelo Mayer pinch hit for Monasterio and struck out swinging on a pitch 8 feet over his head. Gasper took strike three right down the middle to end the inning. Aroldis Chapman came in to close out the bottom of the ninth and Max Schuemann pinch hit for Jones. Schuemann walked but Volpe took three straight pitches down the middle for strike three. Amed Rosario pinch hit for McMahon and walked to cause Yankee fans to start glad handing each other saying "its in the bag". Yankee fans thought a three run walkoff pinch hit home run for Jose Caballero was coming...only for him to fly out to right. Shockingly, Grisham grounded out to first to end the game. The Sox had won it 5-3.

                                                                Sox win

Hero of The Night is Willson Contreras. He drove in 3 runs by himself to match the Yankees entire output including the big two run home run.

                                                            Hero Contreras

The Good:

Andruw Monasterio was 1 for 3 with a home run.

Connor Wong was 1 for 3.

Sonny Gray got the win by tossing 6 1/3 innings of 3 run ball allowing 8 hits and 3 walks.

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

Justin Slaten pitched a scoreless eighth inning.

Aroldis Chapman earned his 13th save with a scoreless ninth inning.

The Bad:

Isiah Kiner-Falefa was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Marcelo Mayer struck out as a pinch hitter.

Mickey Gasper was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

The Ugly:

Jarren Duran was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but stole a base and scored a run.

Ceddanne Rafaela was 0 for 3 but walked.

Wilyer Abreu was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but drove in a run and scored a run.

Caleb Durbin was just 1 for 4.

Final Thoughts:

Rumors are swirling that other teams are "interested" in the Sox' trio of relivers Garrett Whitlock, Slaten and Chapman but so far Craig Breslow says he's not looking to deal. The bottom line is all the Sox need to do is fix Brayan Bello and the offense. In April and most of May this game would have been a 3-2 Yankee win but by getting rid of the automatic outs, this game turned into a 5-3 win. How many games in April and May were decided by a lack of a big hit with men on base or a lack of a home run here and there? Not to mention the Sox really need to figure out how to win at home because they look like world beaters on the road. Sonny Gray has been worth trading Hunter Dobbins for and the bullpen locked down yet another win. Duran and Durbin got hits again and even though they didn't have a great game, that production wasn't there for two months. The Sox have injury woes, an inability to win at home and an inconsistent offense...otherwise they're in great shape. The win improved the Sox to 27-35, good for last place in the AL East. The Sox look to make it two in a row against the Yankees tomorrow night when Ranger Suarez (2-3, 3.38) takes on Adam Warren of the Yankees. The game begins at 7:35 at Yankee Stadium.