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Red Sox Silence A’s in 4-2 Gem: Jul 29 Thriller
Red Sox Win Extra-Inning Thriller Against Athletics: A Beginner’s Guide to the Game
What Happened in a Nutshell
Imagine a baseball game that feels like a movie—tied up late, lots of missed chances, and then one big swing changes everything. That’s exactly what happened when the Boston Red Sox beat the Athletics 4-2 in 10 innings at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento, California.
Key Takeaway: Andrew Monasterio hit a two-run home run in the 10th inning to give the Red Sox the lead, and they held on for the win.
The Story of the Game: Step by Step
1. Early Innings: A Pitcher’s Duel
- Both starting pitchers—Patrick Sandoval (Red Sox) and Jacob Lopez (Athletics)—kept the game close.
- Sandoval struck out 7 batters in 5 innings but hasn’t won a game since returning from Tommy John surgery (a major elbow surgery for pitchers) in 2024.
2. Fifth Inning: Athletics Take the Lead
- Lawrence Butler hit a solo home run (that means no one else was on base) off Sandoval.
- Score: Athletics 2, Red Sox 1
3. Sixth Inning: Red Sox Tie It Up—With a Little Help
- Red Sox leadoff hitter Caleb Durbin singled.
- Later in the inning, Athletics third baseman Tommy White dropped a foul ball—an error that kept the inning alive.
- Nick Sogard then singled, scoring Durbin. Because the run scored after an error, it’s called an unearned run.
- Score: Tied 2-2
4. Seventh Through Ninth Innings: So Close, Yet So Far
- The Red Sox had six runners on base over three innings but couldn’t score.
- In the 9th, Aroldis Chapman (a famous reliever) pitched for Boston in his 900th career appearance—a huge milestone!
- Chapman got out of a jam after a leadoff double.
5. Tenth Inning: The Magic Moment
- In extra innings, MLB rules put a runner on second base to start each half-inning (this speeds things up).
- Romy Gonzalez started at second for Boston.
- Andrew Monasterio crushed a 2-0 fastball from José Suárez over the fence for a two-run homer.
- Final Score: Red Sox 4, Athletics 2
6. Bottom of the 10th: Closing the Door
- Greg Weissert came in and retired all three Athletics batters for his first save of the season.
Standout Performances
Boston Red Sox
| Player | Highlights |
|---|---|
| Andrew Monasterio | 3 hits, game-winning 2-run HR in 10th |
| Caleb Durbin | 3 hits, scored the tying run |
| Jahmal Jones | Hit a home run |
| Aroldis Chapman | Win in 900th career game |
| Greg Weissert | First save of the season |
Athletics
| Player | Highlights |
|---|---|
| Jonah Heim | 3 hits, home run, 500th career hit |
| Lawrence Butler | 6th home run of the season |
| Tommy White | Costly error in 6th inning |
Important Points to Remember
Why This Game Matters
- The Red Sox had just seen a 10-game road winning streak end the night before.
- They bounced back immediately with a gritty extra-inning win.
- Many fans in Red Sox jerseys cheered loudly—even though it was the Athletics’ home stadium!
- Monasterio’s homer came on a 2-0 count—meaning he was ahead in the at-bat and ready to swing.
What’s Next?
| Team | Probable Starter | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Red Sox | Sonny Gray (12-2, 2.78 ERA) | One of the best pitchers in baseball this year |
| Athletics | TBA | Not yet announced |
Game Time: Thursday (series finale)
Summary
The Red Sox and Athletics played a tight, back-and-forth game that went to extra innings. After stranding six runners, Boston finally broke through when Andrew Monasterio hit a two-run homer in the 10th. The bullpen—led by Aroldis Chapman (in his 900th game!) and Greg Weissert—shut the door. The win snapped a one-game losing skid and showed the team’s resilience.
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
What does "10th inning" mean?
Baseball games are 9 innings long. If the score is tied after 9, they play extra innings until one team leads at the end of a full inning. The 10th inning is the first extra inning.
Why did the 10th inning start with a runner on second base?
Since 2020, MLB uses a "ghost runner" rule in extra innings: the team batting starts with a runner on second base. This helps games end faster.
What is a "save" in baseball?
A save goes to a relief pitcher who finishes a game for the winning team under certain conditions (usually: lead of 3 runs or fewer, pitches at least 1 inning). Greg Weissert earned his first of the year.
What is Tommy John surgery?
It’s a reconstruction of the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in the elbow—common for pitchers. Recovery takes 12–18 months. Patrick Sandoval had it in 2024 and is still looking for his first win back.
What’s an "unearned run"?
A run that scores because of an error or passed ball. It doesn’t count against the pitcher’s ERA (earned run average). Durbin’s run in the 6th was unearned because Tommy White dropped a foul ball.
Enjoy the game? Keep an eye on Sonny Gray Thursday—he’s having a Cy Young-caliber season!
