Red Sox lose to Orioles in 11 after late-inning lapses

The Boston Red Sox let another winnable game slip away, falling 5-4 in an 11-inning heartbreaker to the last-place Baltimore Orioles. On a night filled with chances, the Sox went a frustrating 0-for-13 with runners in scoring position and left 13 men stranded on base.

The defeat completed a series sweep by Baltimore. Boston’s now lost seven of its last ten games—a slump that seemed unthinkable just a few weeks ago.

With a four-game set against the Yankees up next, the Sox are searching for answers at the plate. The pressure’s definitely on.

Missed Opportunities Define the Night

From the first inning through extras, Boston kept missing chances. Runners reached scoring position, but nobody could bring them home.

The eighth inning was especially brutal. The Sox loaded the bases with one out, and the crowd buzzed, hoping for a breakthrough.

Strikeouts in the Biggest Moments

Boston’s hitters just couldn’t deliver. Jarren Duran, Trevor Story, and Masataka Yoshida all struck out in succession, leaving Fenway Park in stunned silence.

It was the second time in 10 days the Sox fanned three straight times with the bases loaded. That hadn’t happened once from 2008 through early 2024—so yeah, it’s weirdly historic in the worst way.

Late Game Drama, but No Finish

The Red Sox did show some fight. Trailing 5-3 in the ninth, Nathaniel Lowe crushed a two-run homer to tie the game and send the sellout crowd of 37,435 into a frenzy.

Even with momentum, the clutch hit never showed up. Boston loaded the bases in both the ninth and 10th innings but came away empty.

Decision on the Basepaths

In the bottom of the 11th, pinch-runner Nate Eaton reached third base with one out and the tying run in sight. A shallow fly ball went to Colton Cowser in right, and third base coach Kyle Hudson held Eaton at third rather than testing Cowser’s well-regarded throwing arm.

Hudson later said he’d decided before the series not to challenge Cowser. Fans, though, couldn’t help but wonder—was that the right call?

Pitching Struggles Add to the Woes

Boston’s pitching didn’t help matters. Starter Walker Buehler lasted just four-plus innings, giving up two runs before a shaky bullpen took over.

Baltimore tacked on three more in the fifth and put the Sox in an early hole. The Orioles’ winning run in the 11th came on a couple of routine groundouts against Garrett Whitlock.

Baltimore’s Breakthrough Against the Odds

The Orioles, sitting at 59-67 coming into the game, found just enough offense. They took advantage of Boston’s mistakes and got timely contributions from some unlikely names.

Even their starter, Tomoyuki Sugano, allowed just one run—a tally that came via a balk after rookie Jackson Holliday’s defensive error.

Red Sox Slump at a Crucial Time

This loss stings more than most. It’s Boston’s second series sweep in August, and that’s not what you want when you’re trying to stay in the playoff race.

In their last 10 games, the Sox have gone just 3-7. Consistency, approach, and decision-making in big moments are all under the microscope now.

Looking Ahead to the Yankees Series

Now at 68-59, the Red Sox get a breather before a four-game clash with the New York Yankees. The postseason race is getting uncomfortably close, and Boston has to fix its situational hitting—like, yesterday.

• Hit better with runners in scoring position
• Seize momentum late in games
• Take smart risks on the bases
• Get longer, stronger starts from the rotation

Mess these up, and the playoff run might fizzle out before September even arrives. Fenway fans feel the pressure, and honestly, so do the players. If there’s a time to flip the script, it’s right now.

 
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