Boston won seven straight two weeks ago and looked like a contender, but has gone 4-8 since, including an 11-inning 4-3 loss to the Orioles that left the team six games behind Toronto. The club still holds an American League Wild Card spot and has won 26 of 41 since July, but recent inconsistency has raised concerns. Late-inning offensive failures have been prominent, with multiple bases-loaded or high-leverage opportunities ending in strikeouts, a double play, or missed run-scoring chances. A four-game series at New York could strongly influence the remainder of the season.
Now, after a perplexing 4-8 stretch since - including an uninspiring 4-3, 11-inning loss to the Orioles on Tuesday - Boston (68-59) is six games back of Toronto and in need of a major jolt following a third-straight setback. "Obviously, this last series wasn't our best baseball, our brand of baseball," veteran third baseman Alex Bregman said. "I feel like we'll work hard to correct that."
After a largely sleepy showing Tuesday, the Red Sox had some life in the eighth inning when they loaded the bases with no outs. Then Jarren Duran, Trevor Story, and Masataka Yoshida all struck out swinging in succession. Two or three runs would have been ideal, but even one would have helped. The trend continued in the ninth. After a clutch two-run shot from newcomer Nathaniel Lowe tied it at 3, the Red Sox loaded the bases on three straight walks.
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