Royals spoil Roman Anthony's $130M extension party, snapping the Red Sox's 7-game streak with a 7-3 win at Fenway on Aug 7. A bittersweet night for Boston.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Wednesday night at Fenway Park was a perfect example of baseball's beautiful cruelty. Hours after the Red Sox locked up their future by signing 21-year-old phenom Roman Anthony to a massive $130 million extension, the present delivered a harsh reality check. The Kansas City Royals rolled into town and snapped Boston's seven-game winning streak with a decisive 7-3 victory, putting a damper on an otherwise celebratory day.
$130 million richer, Roman Anthony went 0-for-4 just hours after signing his franchise-altering extension, including a 394-foot flyout that died at the warning track.
Let's start with the big news: Roman Anthony is here to stay. The Red Sox made a massive statement by signing the young outfielder to a nine-year, $130 million deal, cementing him as a cornerstone alongside the team's other young talent. It’s the kind of move that signals a commitment to long-term contention. But baseball has a funny way of humbling you. On the very night his future was secured, Anthony went hitless in four at-bats. He came agonizingly close, crushing a 394-foot fly ball that was caught at the wall, a perfect metaphor for a night of 'almosts' for the Sox.
All eyes were also on Dustin May, making his highly anticipated Red Sox debut after coming over from the Dodgers at the trade deadline. The fiery right-hander showed flashes of his stuff, striking out four, but his command wasn't quite sharp. He lasted just 3.2 innings, charged with 3 runs on 6 hits and 2 walks before being pulled. The game remained within reach until the seventh inning, when the Royals blew it open. Jonathan India tagged reliever Steven Matz for a back-breaking three-run homer, pushing the lead to 7-2 and sucking the remaining energy out of the Fenway faithful. The offense couldn't muster a comeback, despite a two-RBI night from Trevor Story.
With the loss behind them and an off-day on Thursday to regroup, the team now shifts its focus to a pivotal series in San Diego. The rotation is lined up with the big guns: Walker Buehler, Lucas Giolito, and Brayan Bello are set to face the Padres. The front office also made some minor tweaks, recalling reliever Isaiah Campbell from Worcester and optioning Richard Fitts, who just earned his first MLB win, back to Triple-A. These moves, along with Liam Hendriks' transfer to the 60-day IL, are adjustments for the long haul as Boston fights to maintain its AL Wild Card spot, now sitting four games behind the Blue Jays in the division.
One loss doesn't erase a seven-game win streak, and a tough debut doesn't define a pitcher's season. The Red Sox are 64-52, Roman Anthony is a cornerstone for the next decade, and the top of the rotation is ready for a tough Padres team. The streak is over, but the season is far from it. It's time to start a new one on the West Coast.
