LOB-tomy: Red Sox Squander Numerous Chances To Win, Are Swept By Blue Jays

The Red Sox's RATS are not as cute as this little fellow.

The Red Sox battled the Blue Jays for 10 innings last night, but lost 6-5. They had 15 hits, but went only 3-for-20 (.150) with runners at third and/or second (aka RATS). They left 12 men on base.

Boston had an opportunity to take the lead in the bottom of the seventh inning. Rafael Devers singled and J.D. Martinez hit into a 6-4-3 double play. But Xander Bogaerts walked and Christian Arroyo singled (and stole second base). Runners at third and second for Franchy Codero . . . who struck out swinging on a slider in the dirt.

Boston had a golden opportunity to take the lead in the bottom of the eighth inning, when Toronto's right fielder Teoscar Hernández misplayed Reese McGuire's line drive into a triple. No one out, pinch-runner Kiké Hernández on third as the go-ahead run in a 5-5 tie. Alas. Bobby Dalbec struck out. Tommy Pham struck out. Rafael Devers grounded out to second.

Boston had an even more golden opportunity to take the lead in the bottom of the ninth inning. J.D. Martinez singled to center and Xander Bogaerts doubled down the left-field line. No one out, runners at second and third in a 5-5 tie (pinch-runner Alex Verdugo was at third). Alas, again. Franchy Cordero struck out. Hernández grounded to third, where Matt Chapman got the force on X and threw across the diamond to complete the double play.

Boston had a golden opportunity to tie the game in the bottom of the tenth inning. Hernández was the extra-inning runner at second with no one out. Dalbec ground to third. Jarren Duran struck out. Kevin Plawecki popped up to first.

The Red Sox are 3-13 against the Blue Jays in 2022.

Ian Browne (mlb.com) points out that since June 27, the Red Sox are 18-34 and their offense has been in "a downward spiral that hasn't really stopped".

Over those 52 games, Boston has the following rankings among MLB's 30 teams in key offensive categories: 21st in OPS (.687), 23rd in homers (46), tied for 20th in runs (207), tied for 26th in walks (129) and 25th in OBP (.300).