Full Breakdown
Red Sox Overcome Mets in 10-Inning Thriller to Stretch Winning Streak to Nine
7/13/2026, 4:31:03 AM
Red Sox Rally in Extra Innings to Extend Winning Streak
Boston entered the final game of its three-game series in New York trailing 2-0 in the ninth. Ceddanne Rafaela singled, Romy Gonzalez hit a ground ball that should have produced a double play, and shortstop Francisco Lindor mishandled the ball, allowing the runners to reach. Walks to Caleb Durbin and Andruw Monasterio forced in a run, and Jarren Duran’s RBI single tied the game. Aroldis Chapman closed the ninth, sending the contest to extra innings. In the top of the 10th, Masataka Yoshida’s sacrifice bunt moved the automatic runner to third, and Anthony Seigler’s sacrifice fly produced the go-ahead run. Garrett Whitlock retired the side in order in the bottom of the 10th to secure a 3-2 victory and give Boston its ninth straight win.
Mets' Historic First-Half Struggles
The loss marked the Mets’ 16th defeat in 22 games, leaving them 40-57 and 17 games under .500—the deepest hole at the All-Star break since the 1993 season (59-103). The franchise’s payroll was the league’s highest, yet the team posted a 398-run total, ranking 12th in the National League. Injuries and missed time plagued opening-day starters—Lindor, Alvarez, Polanco, Semien, and Luis Robert Jr.—who collectively missed 259 games. Pitchers such as Freddy Peralta (4.66 ERA) and Devin Williams (4.83 ERA) underperformed, contributing to the club’s “unacceptable” standing.
Key Players and Performances
- Boston: Pitchers Payton Tolle (3 2/3 IP, 1 ER) and Brayan Bello (4 1/3 IP, 1 ER) combined for eight strong innings. Reliever Garrett Whitlock earned the save with a 1-2-3 ninth.
- New York: Lindor’s error sparked the comeback; his earlier RBI double and sixth-inning homer were among the few offensive highlights. Reliever Devin Williams surrendered the decisive ninth-inning run.
Statistics and Streak Data
- Red Sox winning streak: nine games (longest since a 10-game run in July 2023).
- Mets record at break: 40-57, 17 games under .500, matching the low point of the 1995 strike-shortened season.
- Boston’s record after the game: 46-48, having won 14 of 16 and 17 of 22 recent contests.
- Mets ERA: 4.27, up from 4.03 the previous season.
Impact on Both Clubs
Boston’s comeback underscores its resilience and positions the club as the major league’s hottest team heading into the All-Star break, with a demanding homestand looming. For the Mets, the defeat deepens a historic slump, placing them 12 games out of the NL wild-card and initiating a stretch of 19 consecutive games against playoff-bound opponents.
Official Statements & Responses
Mets interim manager Andy Green emphasized accountability, noting the organization and fan base “deserve better baseball.” President of baseball operations David Stearns lamented the season’s lack of enjoyment, while shortstop Lindor labeled the situation “unacceptable” and pledged to fight harder in the second half. Red Sox interim manager Chad Tracy highlighted the team’s execution in the final innings and praised the pitching staff’s composure. Pitcher Payton Tolle described the squad’s mindset as “playing loose,” reflecting confidence in their approach.
Criticism & Opposition
Mets reliever Devin Williams expressed frustration, saying there has been “not a lot of celebrating” in the clubhouse. Analysts have pointed to the club’s inability to string together hits and the overreliance on a depleted rotation as core issues.
On-the-Ground Game Report
The game featured a near-no-hit effort by rookie left-hander Zach Thornton, who carried a no-hitter into the fifth inning. Boston’s small-ball tactics—bunting the automatic runner and capitalizing on a sacrifice fly—proved decisive after a defensive lapse by Lindor turned a likely double play into a rally.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Everybody understands what needs to happen” — Andy Green, interim manager, New York Mets
- “It hasn't been a lot of fun” — Devin Williams, reliever, New York Mets
- “Unacceptable,” — Francisco Lindor, shortstop, New York Mets
- “We’re playing loose,” — Payton Tolle, left-hander, Boston Red Sox
- “To be where we’re at right now, based on where we were at three weeks ago, you couldn’t ask for much more,” — Chad Tracy, interim manager, Boston Red Sox
