The return of Dustin Pedroia
Fair or not, the image is currently viewed as the moment we defined that path for the 2022 Red Sox.
As Jarren Duran stood stationary, staring out toward center field as Raimel Tapia raced around the bases, it felt like the fork in the road we didn't think was coming for at least another week or so.
An inside-the-park grand slam. A 10-run deficit in just the third inning. And, ultimately, the signature moment for a historically bad loss for the Red Sox.
By the time the Red Sox were able to finally escape the Fenway field and all the awkwardness that came with giving up a franchise record for most runs allowed in a single game - losing to the Blue Jays, 28-5 - the numbness had already set in.
There was the player's explanation. “I mean, Dugie (Alex Verdugo) was right there already. Obviously, I should have taken a step or two but he was already going to beat me to the ball, so I just didn’t want to get in his way," Duran said. "What if I sprinted to it and collided with him or something like that? But, next time I know to take one or two steps, but he was already going to beat me to the ball.”
There was also the manager's frustration. "You try to navigate the game, and use guys in spots that they’re not comfortable, but at the same time, it’s one loss. It doesn’t look great," said Red Sox skipper Alex Cora. "It’s not about what they did offensively, but what we didn’t do defensively, on the mound. It was tough to watch. It was tough to be in the dugout, to be honest with you. They know it and I know it. It’s not lack of preparation. It’s not lack of effort because we keep going about our stuff and going about the process the right way. I would love to say that this happens, but it doesn’t happen often. We’ve just got to turn the page and be ready for tomorrow. That’s the only way you can attack the day tomorrow."
No matter what happens Saturday, Sunday or in any of the days leading toward the ultimate defining date - the Aug. 2 trade deadline - there will be no escaping what happened at Fenway Friday night. History will make sure of that.
- The Red Sox tied their team mark for the second-most hits allowed in a single game, finishing only behind the 30-hit game on Sept. 28, 1923 and the game on May 1, 1929 when they allowed 29 hits.
- They allowed 11 runs in the top of the fifth, all with two outs. It was the most runs the Red Sox had given up in a single frame since July 2, 2016.
.- The Blue Jays became just the sixth team in Major League Baseball history to score 28 or more runs in a game.
Maybe it's all just the opposite of how it feels. Perhaps instead of being the loss that pushed the Red Sox over the cliff, cementing the trade deadline fates of more than a few key members of Cora's club, it serves as a wake-up call.
That scenario, however, is really difficult to envision at this point.
It's not so much the score, or the fact that the Red Sox are now three games out of the Wild Card hunt. It's the limp the entire roster seems to be carrying which offers an entirely different kind of image than what it had managed just a month ago.
Starting pitcher Nathan Eovaldi didn't look right in his 2 2/3 innings, allowing nine runs while throwing a fastball that averaged just 94.6 mph (2 mph lower than his season average).
J.D. Martinez was scratched due to back issues. Trevor Story (wrist) still isn't ready to swing a bat. Matt Strahm is waiting for the swelling in his wrist to go down. Rich Hill and Michael Wacha seem at least a week or so away. Kiké Hernandez's return is nowhere in sight.
The Red Sox are left trying to save their season with way too many rookies, underperforming veterans and patchwork lineups.
The final score might be an aberration, but the end result seems anything but. And that's the problem.