The Red Sox fall to the Twins 5-4 on July 29, 2025, despite a game-tying HR from Wilyer Abreu. Read how Boston's bullpen faltered in the crucial moments.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It was another one of those nights. A game filled with just enough hope to make the final score sting that much more. The Red Sox fought back to tie it late in Minneapolis, only to see the bullpen hand the lead right back, resulting in a frustrating 5-4 loss to the Twins to kick off the series. With the trade deadline clock ticking louder by the hour, a loss like this one feels heavier, highlighting every crack in the team's armor.
The loss leaves Boston a frustrating 6.5 games behind the division-leading Blue Jays.
The offense did its part to claw back into Tuesday's contest. Wilyer Abreu launched his 20th homer of the season, and Trevor Story chipped in as the Sox rallied to tie the game in the seventh inning. But the tie was short-lived. The bullpen, a source of both strength and anxiety all season, couldn't hold the line, allowing the Twins to immediately answer back and seal Boston's fate. The loss drops the Sox to 57-51, a painful reminder of the thin margin for error in the AL playoff race.
The on-field struggles are compounded by uncertainty off it. The biggest concern remains third baseman Marcelo Mayer, who is still nursing a right wrist sprain with no clear timetable for a return. Seen in a brace, his absence creates a significant hole in the lineup. On a brighter note, the bullpen is poised for reinforcements. All-Star closer Aroldis Chapman is expected to be available as early as Wednesday after dealing with back tightness, and reliever Zack Kelly is progressing well in his rehab assignment, eyeing a late-July return. Chapman's health, in particular, is critical for stabilizing the late innings.
With less than a week until the MLB trade deadline, the biggest news is the lack of news. While teams around the league make moves to bolster their rosters, the Red Sox have remained conspicuously silent. The only recent transaction was recalling David Hamilton to fill Mayer's spot. For a team with clear needs—particularly bullpen depth, as Tuesday's loss demonstrated—the inactivity is growing louder. Are they confident in the group they have? Are they waiting for the market to settle? Fans are left to wonder what the front office's plan is.
The Sox will look to even the series against the Twins tomorrow, hopefully with their closer back in the fold. But the bigger story remains the deadline. This team has shown flashes of being a true contender, but nights like tonight show where they are vulnerable. The next few days will determine whether they get the help they need or if they'll have to sink or swim with the crew they've got.
