Roy Gonzalez's grand slam fueled a stunning comeback as the Red Sox beat the Phillies 9-8 in 11 innings on July 24. See how they pulled off the thriller at Fenway.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Just when you thought you'd seen it all at Fenway Park, the Red Sox authored a new chapter in improbable victories. Down 5-0 and looking lifeless against the Phillies, Boston roared back to life, culminating in a dramatic 9-8 win in 11 innings that had the old ballpark shaking. It was a night of slump-busters, late-game heroics, and a reminder that this team, despite its flaws, has some serious fight.
Roy Gonzalez, previously hitless in his last 20 at-bats, erased the deficit and a whole lot of frustration with one swing: a go-ahead grand slam in the sixth.
For five innings, it was the same old story: missed opportunities and a growing deficit. Then came the sixth. A bases-loaded rally built on patience and four walks set the stage for the game's defining moment. Roy Gonzalez, mired in a brutal 0-for-20 slump, stepped to the plate with the weight of the team on his shoulders. He responded by launching a grand slam to left field, instantly turning a 5-1 deficit into a 6-5 Red Sox lead and sending the Fenway Faithful into a frenzy. It was more than just four runs; it was an exorcism of a slump and a jolt of pure adrenaline for a team that desperately needed it.
After Gonzalez's heroics, the game became a tense, back-and-forth affair. But the final say belonged to catcher Carlos Narvaez. With the score knotted at 8-8 in the top of the 11th, Narvaez crushed a two-run homer, his second of the season, to provide the decisive runs. It was a clutch performance that capped a night of contributions from up and down the lineup, including a homer from David Hamilton and three hits from the ever-hustling Jarren Duran. Justin Wilson also deserves a nod for inducing a crucial double play in the seventh to escape a jam.
This thrilling win brings the Sox back to a .500 record at 34-34, a critical psychological benchmark. However, the victory can't entirely mask the team's ongoing challenges. The injury bug has hit hard, with key players like Triston Casas and Kutter Crawford out for the season. The pitching staff is particularly thin, with Tanner Houck (flexor pronator strain) and Justin Slaten (shoulder) not expected back until at least August. While it was good to see Zack Kelly throw another bullpen session, the rotation and bullpen are running on fumes, making every win feel both miraculous and precarious.
The front office seems acutely aware of the roster's needs. With Triston Casas's season-ending knee injury leaving a massive hole at first base, reports are swirling that the Red Sox are exploring a trade for Diamondbacks' first baseman Josh Naylor. The left-handed slugger, who is hitting a robust .293 with 11 homers, would be a significant offensive upgrade and an ideal rental. This move, combined with rumored pursuits of pitching help, shows that management might be ready to reward the team's grit by making some aggressive moves before the trade deadline.
Tonight was a reminder of what makes baseball great and why you can never count this Red Sox team out. But one dramatic win, however sweet, doesn't solve the underlying issues. The team has shown its heart. Now, all eyes turn to the front office. Will they make the trades necessary to turn this .500 club into a legitimate playoff threat? The next week will be just as crucial as any 11-inning thriller.
