Red Sox Produce Nightmare Finale Before Crucial Yankees Series
· Yahoo Sports
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The Boston Red Sox picked an unfortunate time to deliver one of their sloppiest performances of the season. Boston committed four errors, produced only five hits and was shut out by the Miami Marlins, 4-0, in Wednesday’s series finale at loanDepot Park.
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The loss ended the Red Sox’s five-game winning streak and prevented them from completing consecutive series sweeps. Boston still won two of three games in Miami, but it will enter a critical four-game series against the New York Yankees with plenty to clean up. The Red Sox failed to score for the first time since Aug. 5. They finished 0-for-4 with runners in scoring position and stranded nine runners.
Miami right-hander Ryan Gusto entered the game with an 0-3 record and a 4.37 ERA. He held Boston scoreless over 5 2/3 innings to earn his first victory of the season. Caleb Durbin was the only Red Sox player with multiple hits, going 2-for-4. Nick Sogard, Ceddanne Rafaela and Mickey Gasper combined to go 0-for-10 at the top of the lineup.
Boston’s best scoring opportunity came in the second inning when it loaded the bases with two outs. Sogard grounded out to end the threat, and the Red Sox never seriously challenged again.
Red Sox Defense Falls Apart In Miami
The defensive performance was even worse than the offensive one. Connor Wong and Sogard were charged with two errors apiece. The Marlins also stole six bases without being caught, turning the game into a long and frustrating night for Boston’s battery.
Miami took a 1-0 lead when Heriberto Hernández singled home Kyle Stowers in the first inning. Otto Lopez created another run in the second. He stole second base and came around to score when Wong’s throw sailed into the outfield. The game remained 2-0 until Boston’s defense unraveled again in the eighth.
FINAL: Marlins 4, #RedSox 0
— Red Sox (@RedSox) August 27, 2026
Sogard committed a fielding error and then another throwing error on the same play, allowing Miami to add its third run. Javier Sanoja followed with an RBI single to complete the scoring. Sogard entered the night with only one error this season. That total tripled before the game was over.
Sonny Gray did enough to give Boston a chance, but his offense and defense offered little assistance. The veteran allowed two runs on seven hits over five innings, striking out five and walking one. Gray fell to 16-4 while his ERA increased slightly to 2.82.
Jovani Morán provided two scoreless innings out of the bullpen before the Marlins scored twice against Will Vest in the eighth. Both runs were unearned because of Sogard’s errors.
MORE: Red Sox Explain Adley Rutschman’s Absence, Reveal Expected Return
Boston Must Flush Loss Before Yankees Showdown
One ugly night does not erase an otherwise successful road series. The Red Sox won Monday’s opener 4-2 before surviving an 11-inning battle Tuesday. Jarren Duran’s grand slam and Mickey Gasper’s two-home run performance carried Boston to a 7-3 victory and extended its winning streak to five games.
Wednesday was the complete opposite.
Boston could not generate a timely hit, control Miami’s running game or execute routine defensive plays. The Red Sox finished with nearly as many errors as hits. They now get Thursday off before opening a four-game series against the Yankees on Friday night in New York. The rivals also will play a day-night doubleheader Saturday before concluding the series Sunday afternoon.
Boston enters the showdown at 73-60, positioned directly behind New York in the American League East standings. The Red Sox should receive an important reinforcement for the series. Interim manager Chad Tracy expects Adley Rutschman to return after the catcher missed two games with right elbow irritation.
Rutschman’s return should help. A much cleaner performance will be mandatory.