The Boston Red Sox's suspended game against the Toronto Blue Jays began on a high note on Aug. 26.
Danny Jansen became the first man in history to play for both teams in a suspended game — he even batted and caught in the same at-bat. It was nearly all the positivity the Red Sox could offer.
Jarren Duran lifted a home run in the eighth that hit the peak of the Green Monster for Boston's only run that stuck to the scoreboard, but the Sox fumbled an earlier chance to score. Rafael Devers tapped a weak ground ball in the infield grass with runners at first and second and sprinted to first base to try and beat the throw.
Devers did beat the toss from the Toronto catcher Brian Serven, but he ran into the infield grass and out of the running lane in the process. He was called for interference and the other runners were sent back to their bases, including Refsnyder, who scored from second on the play. The run was scratched, and the Sox went scoreless until Duran's eighth-inning blast.
An interference call, an error and 11 strikeouts bury the Red Sox against the Blue Jays
"Every pitch matters. Every at-bat matters. We've just got to make sure we slow it down."
— NESN (@NESN) August 26, 2024
Alex Cora on the #RedSox 4-1 loss to the Blue Jays in game 1 of a day-night doubleheader. pic.twitter.com/tapedvU1kF
Boston also made two errors in the field, but only one cost them a run. In the eighth frame, Spencer Horwitz knocked a ground ball to Triston Casas at first base, and it slipped under his glove. Horwitz and Serven, who was at first before the error, were safe on the play and scored on a double by Vladimir Guerrero Jr. immediately following Casas' gaffe.
The Red Sox's offensive and defensive mistakes cost them a winnable game against a division foe. They also struck out 11 times to total 44 strikeouts in their past four games — all losses. Nick Pivetta had a quality outing and fanned 10 Jays on his own, but their offense and defense got a bit too much help from the Red Sox's choices.
Boston still has four games to go in the current series against Toronto, and each of them feels like a must-win to keep their postseason dreams alive. The Twins and Royals have been consistent and have maintained their playoff spots well, while the Red Sox continue to lose to themselves.
And, as if Boston needed more disappointment in the suspended game, Jansen, the history-maker, struck out to end it. Nothing went the Red Sox's way against the Blue Jays and they need to fix their play before the wild card is completely out of reach.