Marcelo Mayer explains his decision to get surgery
The story of this Red Sox reminder started the day before their series-ending, 5-3 loss to the Marlins on Sunday afternoon.
The kickoff to the conversation came when Isaiah Campbell's three-run, 2/3-inning outing in the ninth necessitated using closer Aroldis Chapman to secure what would be a 7-5 Red Sox win.
This time of year, chances can't be taken, and even with just one out to go, Alex Cora wasn't about to risk letting this win slip away. Hence, Chapman's second appearance in as many games.
Flash forward to Sunday, with the Red Sox clinging to a one-run lead heading into the ninth inning. Now, Chapman wasn't an option. That reality led to Greg Weissert and Steven Matz coming on to surrender three runs, leading to the Sox's loss. It was the first time since 2014 that the Red Sox had allowed a game-tying and go-ahead homer in the ninth.
And while it was just the second time in 59 instances of leading after the eighth inning that the Red Sox had lost, these hit different ... no matter whatever goodwill was built before.
Suddenly, the luxury item that was seemingly playing the Marlins had offered some semi-late-August discomfort.
The Red Sox are in the top spot in the wild card standings, tied with Seattle at 68-57, with both teams now just 1/2 game up on the surging Yankees, who have won three straight. In terms of the American League East division lead, Cora's club is still five back, having missed the opportunity to take advantage of Toronto's Sunday loss.
A step back here, or a step back there, might seem like little things at the time. But, this time of year, in the position the Red Sox find themselves, there is no such thing as little hiccups.
For example, there is the absence of Marcelo Mayer.
Before Sunday's game, it was announced that the rookie would be undergoing season-ending surgery on his right wrist (a 3-month recovery process). And while it has been a few weeks since Mayer last played, it shouldn't be lost regarding how impactful the loss potentially is.
For starters, the Red Sox were 27-17 in games Mayer played. Secondly, there has been the need to shift one of the game's best defensive outfielders, Ceddanne Rafaela, to second base. The Red Sox are now 9-11 in games Rafaela plays the position. They also own the fourth-worst batting average from the second base position in MLB (.219).
Cora, however, was correct in his pregame assessment that the Red Sox can weather such a setback, thanks in large part to the presence of both Rafaela and Romy Gonzalez. But, once again, the room for error isn't vast.
The Red Sox need Masa Yoshida (.675 OPS) to be more impactful. And they better hope that Wilyer Abreu's recent calf ailment isn't a lingering issue, considering how good the outfielder has been of late (.320 batting average/.890 OPS over the last week).
There are plenty of teams living life with the minuscule room for error the Red Sox currently possess. Houston is suddenly existing without the lockdown closer Josh Hader. The Yankees are holding their breath that this recent run by relievers David Bednar, Luke Weaver and Devin Williams (a combined 9 IP, H, 0 R, 14 Ks over the last week). And Seattle will be banking on newly acquired Eugenio Suarez being better than his initial introduction to the Mariners.
The list goes on.
As the Red Sox were reminded Sunday, this time of the season, there are no such things as small bumps in the road.