Man, you really had to watch this game to believe it. The Red Sox watched their bullpen absolutely torch a four-run lead in just two innings last night against the Toronto Blue Jays, but somehow, some way, they still clawed out a 6-4 victory at Fenway. This game felt like it wanted to be a 10-8 slugfest, but the Sox kept leaving runners on base, 11 of them to be exact. Still, they found a way to win and reset that streak. New one starts here.
Bullpen Meltdown: A Familiar Horrifying Tale
This pitching matchup was a wild ride from the jump. Patrick Sandoval went 4.2 innings for the Red Sox and somehow didn’t allow an earned run, but don’t let that fool you. The dude was creating his own messes all night long with deep counts and walks, throwing pitches right over the heart of the plate that inexplicably didn’t get crushed. The first inning alone he threw at least 25 pitches with multiple Blue Jays on base, and still escaped untouched. It was precarious pitching, for sure, and you gotta wonder how long that rope holds, but it held tonight.
On the other side, Trey Yesavage burned through 93 pitches in just four innings. He struck out nine batters, which is insane, but still gave up three earned runs before the fifth. The long ball was not his friend, as Anthony Seigler and Ceddanne Rafaela both took him deep. The Sox had a 4-0 lead through six innings, but it never felt comfortable, especially with the Blue Jays burning through their bullpen like it was already gassed.
Then Greg Weissert came in for the seventh with that four-run cushion, and Kazuma Okamoto, who was basically the *only* Blue Jay offense, immediately blasted a three-run laser to center. Just like that, it’s 4-3. Different ballgame. Garrett Whitlock came in for the eighth and gave up the tying run, erasing the entire lead in two innings. After the Orioles took one on Thursday, it felt like the bullpen was just handing this game right back.
Seigler Steps Up When It Counts
But man, this Red Sox lineup just doesn’t quit! The bottom of the eighth fixed everything. CJ Van Eyk came in for Toronto, got one out, and then couldn’t stop anything. Four straight hits, two runs, and suddenly the Sox were back up 6-4 before anyone even processed what happened. That’s been the identity of this team for a month now: it’s not over until it’s over, go find more runs, don’t give an inning away for free. They keep proving that a bad bullpen frame doesn’t mean the game is gone.
And who was at the heart of it? Anthony Seigler was absolutely locked in, going 4-for-5 with a home run, two RBI, and two runs scored. He was a triple shy of the cycle, playing second base like a beast. The dude has turned into a real weapon in that lineup. Chapman shut the door in the ninth, striking out two to secure the win.
Day one of a new streak. They’re back at it soon. You know this team is gonna bring that same fight, no matter what the bullpen throws at ’em, literally.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Over the Monster.
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