Sox Collapse in Tampa: From “Maybe a Sweep” to “Oh, Never Mind”
Boston strands runners, the bullpen implodes, and the Rays celebrate like it’s the World Series of mediocrity.
Game Recap: Rays 7, Red Sox 3
This one started with hope and ended with regret—otherwise known as “a Sunday in Red Sox baseball.”
The Opening Faceplant: Rookie starter Connelly Early took the mound for his first big-league loss. Three runs (two earned) in the first four innings, because why ease him into September when you can just throw him into the lion’s den and hope he survives? Christopher Morel welcomed him to the majors with a two-run double before Sox fans had even unwrapped their Fenway Franks.
Middle Inning Mirage: The bats teased us with baserunners—Alex Bregman, Romy González, Masataka Yoshida all chipped in hits—but every time momentum peeked through the door, the Sox slammed it shut on themselves. Strikeouts, groundouts, you name it. The Sox went 4-for-11 with runners in scoring position and stranded ten. Not a typo. Ten.
The Lowe Blow: Brandon Lowe, apparently annoyed the game was still technically competitive, launched his 30th home run in the sixth inning. At this point, Tampa fans probably thought it was Fan Appreciation Day gift-wrapped for them.
The Eighth-Inning Implosion: Payton Tolle came in and promptly did his best impression of a batting practice machine. Four runs later, the Rays were up big, Sox Nation was down bad, and Tropicana Field was suddenly the loudest warehouse in Florida.
Player Highlights (and Lowlight Reel)
Red Sox “Contributors”
Alex Bregman: Two hits, an RBI, two walks. Basically the only guy who remembered baseball is about scoring runs.
Romy González: Two hits, two walks, one RBI. Hustled his way to relevance while his teammates worked on their strikeout mechanics.
Masataka Yoshida: Two hits that died on the vine. Great contact, zero impact.
Connelly Early: Four innings, three runs, four strikeouts. Lost his first career decision. At least he didn’t get shelled for ten? Progress.
The Bullpen: Particularly Payton Tolle, who set the Rays up with a buffet in the eighth inning.
Rays Offenders
Christopher Morel: Four RBIs, including the two-run single in the eighth that shoved Boston’s head underwater for good.
Brandon Lowe: His 30th homer of the year. Because of course.
Joe Boyle: Walked four, struck out nine, and somehow escaped without disaster.
Quotes & Commentary
Manager Alex Cora insisted afterward that “the bullpen wasn’t the problem.” Sure. And my diet isn’t the problem if you ignore the daily donuts.
Reporters noted the Sox got overly aggressive on the bases—Romy González was thrown out trying to score from first, Jarren Duran got picked off. Hustle is great. Hustling into outs with the season on the line? Chef’s kiss.
Opponent Misfires
Let’s not pretend the Rays were flawless. Joe Boyle’s four walks gave Boston every chance to climb back in. They just didn’t. Tampa also committed an early error, gift-wrapping momentum Boston refused to open. The Rays didn’t play perfect—they just played “less bad.”
Momentum Check
Boston is now 85-71. They took the series 2-1, but blowing the sweep felt like throwing a half-eaten pizza into the trash. A one-game lead in the Wild Card still exists, but it’s wobblier than a folding chair at a family cookout. Momentum? Maybe. Or maybe just a rumor Sox fans tell themselves to sleep at night.
What It Means
The bullpen is a leak in the boat. Keep plugging it with duct tape, and you’ll still sink eventually.
Situational hitting is MIA. Four-for-11 with RISP is fine if you don’t strand ten more runners.
Base running is either genius or idiotic. Last night leaned heavily toward the latter.
This was a game Boston could have won. Instead, Tampa used the Sox as a prop in their home finale party.
Looking Ahead
Next stop: Toronto. Another dome, another chance to pretend the bullpen won’t combust. Keys to survival:
Pray for a starter who can survive six innings.
Demand the bullpen not imitate a piñata.
Maybe, just maybe, score with runners on base.
Because if this team keeps playing like Sunday, October will be nothing but a what-if.
Final Take
The Red Sox didn’t just lose—they managed to turn a winnable game into a late-inning implosion special. Tampa walked away smiling, Boston walked away muttering, and the rest of us walked away wondering why we’re emotionally invested in this madness.
Call to Action
Subscribe to Red Sox Digest—because someone has to keep chronicling this soap opera, and it sure isn’t going to be Alex Cora with his “bullpen’s fine” routine.