The Boston Red Sox led the Baltimore Orioles in each of the three games they played at Fenway Park from April 9-11.
The Red Sox couldn't pull off a single victory. Most often, they beat themselves.
In the bottom of the ninth inning with the score tied 3-3, Reese McGuire stared down Craig Kimbrel from the batter's box with a full count against him. Kimbrel fired a clear strike that nicked the right edge of the strike zone, and home plate umpire Jeremie Rehak called the catcher out looking.
McGuire protested the call with some colorful language. He said the Red Sox weren't given the same one earlier in the game. Rehak ejected McGuire without a second thought, and manager Alex Cora emerged from the dugout as quickly as Red Sox Nation had ever seen — not to defend his catcher, but to yank him back to the dugout as quickly as possible.
The Red Sox are swept by the Orioles as defensive miscues continue to pile up
It was too late. McGuire was already tossed from the game, and Cora had to give up his designated hitter or put pitcher in the field the following inning. He opted to put Yoshida in left and add Isaiah Campbell to the batting order. The Sox would just need to win before they got to him.
It didn't work out like that. The Orioles put up five runs in extra innings to bury the Red Sox, 9-4.
A series of mistakes throughout the game resulted in Boston's loss. The Sox jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the first inning and they maintained it until the eighth when Anthony Santander homered to score Jackson Holliday and take a lead. A bomb from Connor Wong tied the game, but the O's took off in extras to seal the sweep.
There goes my hero, watch him as he goes. pic.twitter.com/l2xP6Vj8Vg
— Baltimore Orioles (@Orioles) April 12, 2024
Santander was only able to bat because David Hamilton didn't turn an inning-ending double play. He fielded a hard grounder off the bat of Adley Rutschman and he missed his bag at second completely to collect only one out on the play. Holliday was safe on what should've been a routine ball and yet another Red Sox error cost them a game.
Boston had a shot to win every one of its games against Baltimore to open up the season at Fenway Park. The loss of Trevor Story has also resulted in a loss of confidence for the Red Sox and their constant defensive miscues and errors have been their killer.
Boston needs competent middle infielders, and fast.