With the mid-August sun beating down on Fenway, it looked like Sam Kennedy might have been “right” when he said, “After this cold weather, you’re gonna see a lot more home runs.” Now, granted, that quote was from April, and your definition of “a lot” could be different from mine, but for one game on August 19, that statement appeared to be true.
Nick Sogard finally managed to drive a baseball out of a major league stadium for the first time, leading off the game for Boston with a home run. That blast also marked the first run D-backs pitcher Brandon Pfaadt had surrendered in four starts, spanning more than 27 innings. Shockingly, Sogard wasn’t the only lefty to take the right-hander deep on this day.
Two innings later, Jarren Duran left the yard to give the Sox a 2-0 lead, and it appeared Boston might be on its way to a third straight hammering of Arizona and another sweep.
Unfortunately, Payton Tolle decided to channel his inner Ranger and put a couple of guys on base for Gabriel Moreno once again. And, of course, Moreno delivered a clutch two-out double to give Arizona a 3-2 lead and end Tolle’s day after five innings.
In the sixth, the soft underbelly of both teams was exposed! First, it was Greg Weissert, no surprise, who coughed up a two-run homer to Lars Nootbaar to give Arizona a 5-2 lead. Then, in the bottom of the inning, Mickey struck again, pounding a three-run dong over the bullpens in right to tie the game.
Things settled down for the remainder of regulation, but in extras, Chad Tracy had no choice but to bring in Jovani Moran. And with that went the Sox’s chances of winning.
A bloop single, appropriate against Arizona, and three walks later, the D-backs had a 7-5 lead. That would be all they needed, as Boston could only bring home the ghost runner in the bottom of the 10th.
The Mongoose
Moran’s failure in extras took a little of the luster off what had been an incredible first series back for Mickey Gasper.
Three homers in three games against the Snakes, with the last coming in such clutch fashion, could have made for quite the story had the Sox managed to complete the sweep.
Either way, perhaps Breslow can look to move Gasper to the NL West over the winter. I’m sure the Dodgers wouldn’t mind having a guy they could call up a few times a year just to bite the head off the Diamondbacks.
Hold on Tight
Given the current state of the bullpen, I sure hope the offense can continue pounding the baseball and keep those placards flying on the Monster. If not, we might be looking at a lot more games like Wednesday’s.
With Whitlock and Slaten down, along with Bello taking on a larger role as the bulk guy every five games or so, we’re going to see a lot more of Weissert, Moran, and company. That will probably mean plenty of late-inning excitement, and if you’re a cardiologist in New England, perhaps a corresponding boom in insurance claims.
It certainly won’t make Chad Tracy’s job any more enjoyable.
Now Here’s a Little Story I’ve Got to Tell, About a Strikeout Artist You Know So Well
That’s right. Hate him or hate him, Trevor Story is coming back.
I’m not sure it will happen quite as quickly as he wants, but given the amount of money John Henry is still paying him, his return seems inevitable.
Shortstop? Second base? Designated hitter? Assistant ball boy? Where he fits isn’t entirely clear yet, but it will be fascinating to see how “Mr. I Demanded an Audience with Management” meshes with the all-for-one-and-one-for-all vibe this team seems to have developed.
One thing is certain, it will not be an Untold Story.
Get Your Ice Cream Ready
Scoops is on his way back to Fenway!
For the first time since the trade, Rafael Devers will step foot in America’s Most Beloved Ballpark, and the question is: What kind of reception will he receive?
Will he get the Xander treatment, or will he be welcomed back like “Judas” Damon?
My guess is that it will probably fall somewhere in the middle.
Devers wasn’t around long enough, nor did he have the kind of enormous impact on the culture and history of the franchise that some former Red Sox stars did. But, whether he liked it or not, he was the face of the franchise for a period of time after signing that massive contract.
It is entirely possible that the reaction Devers receives will be less about Rafael Devers himself and more a reflection of how the Fenway Faithful feel about Craig Breslow.
And that might make his first trip back to Fenway even more interesting.
Image Courtesy of https://www.bostonglobe.com/2026/02/02/sports/jovani-moran-red-sox-puerto-rico-wbc/