A Pattern of Comebacks
The Red Sox proved they can win ugly, taking three of four games from the Athletics in West Sacramento. Sure, the squad stumbled out of the gate, trailing in every single matchup of this four-game series. But they woke up, found a gear, and took control when it actually mattered. Boston turned a 4-3 hole into the lead thanks to back-to-back homers in the eighth inning to seal that 5-4 victory. This win keeps the heat on as they head into a massive three-game set at Dodger Stadium starting Friday night.
Chad Tracy, the interim manager, noted the team was subdued at the outset. He praised the squad for finding a way to win three of those contests despite the rough starts. This streak marks seven straight series victories for the surging Sox.
That’s resilience.
It’s not just about the wins; it’s about how they’re getting them. The ability to dig out of a hole and claw back to victory is what separates good teams from the ones that make noise in October. We’ve seen this pattern before, but watching it happen seven times in a row? That’s something special.
Gray Settles Down
Sonny Gray delivered a gritty performance that kept Boston in the game long enough for the bats to wake up. The 36-year-old veteran pitched seven innings, distributing seven hits while conceding four earned runs. He walked two batters and struck out five on 97 pitches to keep the score within reach at 4-3. His final frame was the best part of the outing as he struck out the side to preserve the one-run deficit.
Gray admitted he struggled to find his rhythm early but found a groove as the game wore on. He stated, “Perhaps around the fifth inning or thereabouts, I managed to discover a bit more tranquility and composure. The pitcher knows that finding this mental state is key to his success on the mound. And that’s when I’m at my best, when I find that,” Gray added after the game.
The bullpen stepped up once again to finish the job after Gray left the game. Greg Weissert took over in the eighth inning and held the lead after the offense tied the score. Aroldis Chapman earned his 26th save to close out the victory. Tracy highlighted Weissert’s role, noting he was unavailable for his usual setup men. Tracy said, “Second day in a row. Second day in a row in big spots [for Weissert]. A massive, massive contributor secured two victories for us over the preceding two days.
Weissert has been a workhorse lately, and Tracy isn’t afraid to lean on him when the usual options are gone. It’s a testament to the depth this roster has built over the summer.
Hitters Break Slumps
The offense finally broke through when Wilyer Abreu and Willson Contreras hit back-to-back home runs to open the eighth inning. Contreras had been in a 1-for-16 slump before launching his 23rd home run of the season. The ball traveled a Statcast-projected 414 feet to left field, giving the Red Sox the lead they needed. The emotional catcher pounded his chest where the uniform said “Boston” after the shot.
This win extends the team’s impressive road record to 12-1 in their last two trips away from home. The Sox are now 20-3 overall since July 3, showing they are a force to be reckoned with. They will carry this momentum into a marquee showdown against the Dodgers. The team has proven they can win even when their bats go cold early in the game.
Red Sox fans should feel good about this group as they push for the playoffs. The ability to win from behind shows a resilience that many teams lack. With Gray pitching well and the bullpen holding strong, this team is built for a deep run. They need to keep this energy alive when they face a tough opponent in Los Angeles.
Can they do it against the Dodgers? The stats say yes, but the real test starts Friday night.
