Full Breakdown
Boston Red Sox Extend Winning Streak to 14 Games
7/21/2026, 9:58:46 PM
The Streak Reaches 14 Wins
On July 20, 2026, third-baseman Caleb Durbin hit a go-ahead solo home run over the Green Monster with two outs in the eighth inning, giving Boston a 6–5 win over the Baltimore Orioles. The victory marked the team’s 14th consecutive win, the longest streak in MLB this season and the second-longest in franchise history. It also snapped the Orioles’ seven-game run.
Background and Recent Turnaround
The Red Sox dismissed manager Alex Cora on April 25 after a 32–46 record. Interim manager Chad Tracy took over when the club was 11 games under .500 on June 25. Since then Boston has gone 19-2 in its last 21 games, lifting the team to 51-48 and securing the third wild-card spot, six games behind the division leader.
Key Performances and Statistics
- Caleb Durbin recorded his 10th homer of the season; his OPS has risen to .904 since May 28.
- Willson Contreras is batting .289 with 22 homers and 66 RBIs.
- Starting pitchers have posted a 2.63 ERA during the streak, highlighted by Payton Tolle (5 2/3 innings, 9 K, 3 runs) and Sonny Gray (12-1, 2.48 ERA).
- The bullpen’s ERA stands at 1.15; closer Aroldis Chapman earned his 22nd save, moving within one of Dennis Eckersley’s record.
- Boston averages 5.9 runs per game and wins by an average margin of 3.8 runs.
Why It Matters
Boston’s surge has turned a team once headed for a rebuild into a postseason contender. The Red Sox are now one win away from tying the 1946 franchise record of 15 straight victories set by a team led by Hall of Famer Ted Williams. The streak has solidified their position in the wild-card race and kept them within striking distance of the AL East leader.
Official Statements & Responses
Interim manager Chad Tracy praised the effort, saying the team is “playing good baseball” and “executing” on both sides of the ball.
The Red Sox announced that left-hander Ranger Suarez will be activated from the 15-day injured list for the July 21 game, replacing the starter who missed time after a July 5 groin strain.
Orioles manager Craig Albernaz called Durbin’s swing “good” and noted Tyler Wells had been “outstanding” for Baltimore.
On-the-Ground Report of the July 20 Game
Boston fell behind three times—1-0, 4-3, and 5-4—before rallying in the seventh with a two-out RBI single by Ceddanne Rafaela that tied the game. Durbin’s eighth-inning homer provided the decisive lead. The Orioles committed four errors, two of which produced unearned runs. In the ninth, Aroldis Chapman entered with runners on second and third, retired the final batter after a line-drive catch by shortstop Tsung-Che Cheng, and secured the save.
