The Boston Red Sox blew a 7-1 lead to the Rays while giving up the game-tying run in the ninth inning on an inside-the-park home run.
It’s funny how quickly fortunes can change in baseball. One minute, you’re scoring six runs in the second inning to take a commanding lead against a division rival. The next, you’re giving up an inside-the-park home run to tie the game in the ninth inning.
Well, it was funny for anyone not rooting for the Red Sox, at least.
Monday’s game between Boston and Tampa Bay was the definition of silly. The Red Sox had a 7-1 lead early and watched it evaporate thanks to four errors and that aforementioned feat in the ninth.
Imagine tying the game in the 9th with an inside-the- park home run https://t.co/uLmZsHAOBg
— Pickswise (@Pickswise) September 6, 2021
After seeing the Rays tie up the RedSox with an inside the park homer in the 9th. I'm now convinced. They win the World Series, Super Bowl, Stanley Cup and the Scripps spelling bee.
— Denis Phillips (@DenisPhillipsWx) September 6, 2021
https://twitter.com/TriciaWhitaker/status/1434990311919521796
Incredibly, that was one of two inside-the-park homers on the day, though Nelson Cruz’s came courtesy of a throwing error in the fourth.
The Rays went on to win 11-10 after the 10th.
Red Sox fans were beside themselves over a blown 7-1 lead
It was not a fun time for Red Sox fans.
Cant recall worse team defense in a game than whatever the Red Sox are doing today
— Jeremy Frank (@MLBRandomStats) September 6, 2021
Tried to go the unbridled optimism route today and it failed me. Looks like it's booze and anger the rest of the way. #RedSox pic.twitter.com/ruPCeENCuF
— Red (@SurvivingGrady) September 6, 2021
Brutal, brutal loss for the Red Sox. Everything shifted after the Verdugo drop in center. Completely changed the entire flow of the game. Still no excuse for giving up all those runs and not scoring with runners on 1st and 2nd with no outs in bottom of the 9th. That sucked.
— Steve Perrault (@Steve_Perrault) September 6, 2021
This is literally the first time this has happened.
The Red Sox lost 11-10 to the Rays after leading 7-1.
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) September 6, 2021
Entering play, Boston was 69-0 all-time when leading by 6+ runs against Tampa Bay. pic.twitter.com/DHalZqWZiH
The American League wild card chase is just stupid right now.
Yankees lose 8-0 and Red Sox blow a 7-1 lead to Tampa. pic.twitter.com/CNOaGeS0zt
— The Town Tailgate Podcast (@towntailgate) September 6, 2021
Since Boston and New York both lost on Monday, the Rays improved their command of the AL East to 8.5 games. Boston is nine games out. They’re both still in the wild card spots, but the Mariners, Blue Jays and Athletics suddenly have an opening to charge into.
A loss under any circumstances would have produced the same results for Boston, but to do it in such a ridiculous way only pours salt on the wound.