Roman Anthony debuts, but the Red Sox fall to the Rays 10-8 in an 11-inning heartbreaker on June 10. Costly errors spoil the night despite a late rally.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
The future arrived at Fenway Park on Monday night, but the present delivered a familiar sting. Top prospect Roman Anthony made his long-awaited major league debut, a moment fans have been clamoring for, but it was spoiled by a chaotic, 11-inning, 10-8 loss to the rival Tampa Bay Rays that was defined by defensive miscues and missed opportunities.
The Red Sox had clawed their way back to 34-34, only to see this loss push them right back below the .500 mark.
All eyes were on Roman Anthony, and the 21-year-old phenom experienced the full spectrum of a big-league welcome. At the plate, he went 0-for-4 but showed patience with a walk and contributed by driving in a run with a ninth-inning groundout that cut the deficit to 7-6. However, the game's speed was also on display when a routine single rolled under his glove in right field, leading to a costly unearned run. The night ended on a curious note when he was replaced by pinch-hitter Rob Refsnyder in the bottom of the 11th, a move that will surely be debated by fans.
This wasn't just a loss; it was a marathon of self-inflicted wounds. The Red Sox committed two official errors, but the defensive sloppiness felt more pervasive. Despite the miscues, they showed fight, with Kristian Campbell delivering a clutch game-tying single in the ninth to force extras. But the bullpen couldn't hold on. Zack Kelly, who took the loss to fall to 1-3, was on the mound when Junior Caminero drew the go-ahead, bases-loaded walk in the 11th, sealing Boston's fate. On the other side, Rays rookie Ian Seymour earned his first MLB win in his debut, a bittersweet note for Sox fans watching their own rookie's tough night.
If there's a silver lining to a bullpen-taxing loss, it's that reinforcements may be coming soon. Key relievers Justin Slaten (shoulder) and Liam Hendriks (hip) are both progressing and could be eligible to return from the IL as early as June 13, just in time for a crucial home series against the Yankees. Their return can't come soon enough for a pitching staff that needs stability. In other recovery news, lefty Chris Murphy is taking another step in his Tommy John rehab, heading to High-A Greenville.
The sting of this loss will linger, especially with Roman Anthony's debut ending in disappointment. But baseball offers no time to dwell. The Sox are right back at it Tuesday, sending Lucas Giolito to the mound against Tampa's Ryan Pepiot. It's a chance to immediately wash away the bitter taste, even the series, and climb back to that elusive .500 mark. One game doesn't define a career or a season, but the response to it often does.
