Trevor Story smashed a 108 mph line drive home run on September 17, blowing open a 3-1 deficit in the eighth inning against the Texas Rangers and leading to a cathartic 4-3 Red Sox win at Globe Life Field. This wasn’t any dinger, either; it was a shot straight into the face of a Texas team that was an astounding 63-1 when leading after seven innings, and it definitely landed squarely on their playoff hopes.
The Weight of It All
Man, what a moment. Story came to the plate with the Sox staring down a sweep, down 3-1 in the eighth, facing a tough reliever in Jacob Latz. Think about the pressure: the Red Sox were a brutal 0-17 with runners in scoring position in the series up to that point. And for Story himself? His season looked dead and buried not three months ago, but even three weeks back. He’d battled injury, surgery, brutal rehab, way too many strikeouts, and yeah, even folks like me had questioned if he even belonged in the lineup anymore. That’s a heavy load to carry, and he stepped up and crushed it.
Redemption Arc Unlocked
That blast didn’t just win a game; it was pure, unadulterated baseball poetry. This dude hadn’t gone deep since May 13th! Imagine the grind behind the scenes, the months of hard work, dealing with all the noise and doubt, and then getting *that* chance. To do it in his hometown, in that exact moment, with everything stacked against him? That’s why we watch. Story wasn’t done making an impact, either. After his game-changing three-run bomb, he followed it up by starting crucial double plays on defense to end both the eighth and ninth innings, locking down the win. Wilyer Abreu deserves some credit too, with a sharp single in the fourth and a walk that turned into a run on Story’s shot.
The Pen Holds Strong
You can’t have a comeback without the bullpen locking it down, and the guys delivered. With Aroldis Chapman unavailable due to lat tightness, Wyatt Olds, Alec Gamboa, and Garrett Whitlock combined for 2.2 scoreless innings. That’s serious composure when the game’s on the line. One other quick note, Willson Contreras got hit in the hand by a pitch just before Story’s home run and had to leave the game, but good news is his x-rays were clear. All in all, for someone who’s been pretty critical of Story in recent weeks, I gotta say, that crow was delicious. You love to see a player fight back like that.
This was just one game, but what a game! The real test, as they say, doesn’t start until the 29th. But man, for Trevor Story, this had to feel absolutely incredible. Let’s see what he brings next.
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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