The Boston Red Sox defeated the Detroit Tigers 8-6 in Monday's Patriots' Day game at Fenway Park, salvaging a series split. Starting pitcher Sonny Gray left after 2 2/3 innings with right hamstring tightness. Key plays from the offense and bullpen secured the win as Boston improved to 9-13.
BOSTON -- Sonny Gray's day started early with an 11:10 a.m. first pitch for the Red Sox's annual Patriots' Day matchup against the Tigers. The right-hander walked off the mound in the top of the third after walking Gleyber Torres with two outs, citing right hamstring tightness. Boston led 2-1 at the time, and reliever Danny Coulombe stranded the runners with a groundout. Gray, who is 2-1 with a 4.30 ERA in five starts this season, will undergo an MRI on Tuesday to assess the injury, which echoes previous hamstring issues in 2022 and 2024. Red Sox manager Alex Cora said, “We don't think it's serious, the hammy, but we have to see what's going on.” Gray added, “I threw that last 3-2 pitch, and I felt a grab in my right hamstring.” Cora praised Gray's decision not to push through, noting, “Sometimes, guys push through that and it makes it worse.” The Red Sox offense ignited late. In the sixth, catcher Carlos Narváez doubled, then stole third without a throw before Roman Anthony's single tied the game. Pinch-hitter Ceddanne Rafaela added a two-run single in the seventh. A crowd of 34,880 cheered the comeback. Bullpen standout Greg Weissert struck out three in the sixth with runners at the corners and the Sox trailing. Weissert said, “In those situations you got to kind of be down their throats and make them make decisions.” Narváez quipped about his steal, “Man, I'm fast sometimes,” while Cora called it “game awareness.” The victory broke Boston's trend of wins only when starters went six innings, providing momentum before the Yankees arrive.
