We needed to get it together after The Great Chicago Dumpster Fire yesterday, and Alex Cora made several lineup changes in an attempt to shake up both the offense and defense.

Richard Fitts was turning in a really solid performance, and the Red Sox offense had done just enough to lead the game. But when Fitts came out of the game with an as-yet-unknown injury, everything fell apart. Zack Kelly and then Aroldis Chapman combined to allow three runs, giving the game away.

This isn’t to let the offense off the hook; they couldn’t get it done, despite a number of chances. Really disappointing.

Three Studs

Richard Fitts

5.0 IP, 5K, 2H, 0 ER, 1BB. The 5K are a career high. He came out of the game after summoning trainers to the mound in the middle of an at-bat, and Zack Kelly almost immediately squandered his strong outing. No happy ending here.

Ceddanne Rafaela

He tripled for his first extra-base hit of 2025, and put the first Red Sox run on the board. He followed up with a single in the seventh, with the game tied, then quickly stole second base.

Romy Gonzalez

Two walks, a single, and what should have been another single in the seventh (the play was challenged but upheld as an out, though the first baseman’s foot certainly looked to be off the bag).

Honorable Mention

Baserunning

Three stolen bases, though none led to a run scored. But we’ll take it.

Three Duds

Offense

11 K. 9 LOB. 1-6 with RISP. Just terrible.

Zack Kelly

Came on in the middle of an at-bat after Fitts left the game with an injury. Kelly immediately surrendered a walk (though he inherited the 2-2 count from Fitts) then on the third batter he faced, gave up the home run that tied the game.

1.2 IP, 1H, 2R, 2 ER, 1BB, 3K, 1HR.

Aroldis Chapman

Gave up the game-winning single in the bottom of the ninth to a pinch hitter who looked like a junior varsity kid. Come on.

Play of the Game

Rafaela’s RBI triple, but it doesn’t feel that great anymore. Sigh.