Red Sox recap: Tigers earn back-to-back walk off wins after walk and bad throw sink Boston in the ninth

What started as a positive road trip, with the Red Sox winning two of three against the red-hot Royals, ended with the Tigers sweeping the Red Sox in three games, dropping back below .500 to 22-23.

Boston entered the game having to face the American League’s reigning Cy Young Award winner, Tarik Skubal. The Sox were able to score five runs off the southpaw, but it wasn’t enough after the bullpen faltered again. This time it was closer Aroldis Chapman who allowed a walk-off single to pinch-hitter Justyn-Henry Malloy with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning, sealing a 6-5 victory for Detroit in front of the home crowd at Comerica Park on Wednesday night.

Chapman (2-2) entered the ninth with the score tied 5-5, walked the leadoff hitter, Zach McKinstry, which set the tone for the Tigers to walk off for the second straight night. Pinch runner Andy Ibáñez stole second and went to third when Connor Wong’s throw sailed into center field.

Despite being swept out of Detroit, Alex Cora told reporters after the game that there was a lot of good to pull from the loss on Wednesday night.

“To be honest with you, this one wasn’t as tough as yesterday. I think we competed the right way. We did a good job against the best pitcher in the big leagues. It just happened that we ran out of time. They scored in the ninth, but I’m pleased with the effort and the way we went about it,” Cora said. “Obviously we got swept here, which sucks, but I’m not even thinking about that. I thought the last two days we competed the right way.”

BACK-AND-FORTH SLUGFEST

Skubal entered his start on Wednesday, only walking one batter and allowing four earned runs in his previous six outings. The Sox weren’t intimidated and got on the scoreboard in the first inning, following a pair of singles and a sacrifice fly by Rob Refsnyder to take a 1-0 lead.

Rafael Devers singled with one out and then went to third on Alex Bregman’s single into right field. He would later score off Refsnyder’s sacrifice fly. Refsnyder had not played since May 1 due to back spasms.

The Tigers quickly answered, tying the game in the second inning after an RBI single off the bat of Trey Sweeney. Riley Greene would score after he made an incredible slide around Carlis Narváez to beat the tag at the plate.

Bregman crushed his second homer in as many nights off Skubal in the fourth inning, sending his 11th blast into the left field stands. The Sox’ third baseman had three more hits Wednesday night, going 3-for-4 with a homer, two singles, and a walk. He left the Motor City with two home runs, four hits, and constant boos each time he was announced at the plate.

Detroit came right back in the home half of the inning after Colt Keith doubled and then scored on a McKinstry double.

Boston countered Skubal with rookie righty Hunter Dobbins, who looked good through five frames, allowing just two runs, and then he came back out to work in the sixth. Keith hit a high fastball for a single, and Greene smoked a heater for a two-run blast to put Detroit on top, and Dillion Dingler singled to end Dobbins’ night.

Dobbins went five innings, giving up five earned runs off nine hits with no walks and four strikeouts. He threw 88 pitches, 57 for strikes, in his fifth start of his career.

Typically, working with a three-run lead would be enough for Skubal, but the Sox would counter and get back into the game.

Trevor Story flew out to lead off the seventh, Nick Sogard singled, and Narváez drew a seven-pitch walk, the first one allowed by Skubal since April 20. Boston had two on with one out, and Ceddanne Rafaela collected an RBI single, knocking Skubal from the game.

Tigers reliever Tyler Holton allowed back-to-back RBI singles to Jarren Duran and Devers, tying the game at 5-5. Skubal ended the night surrendering five earned runs over 6 1/3 innings on seven hits, with one walk and 11 strikeouts. It was the first time he’s allowed five or more runs in a game since Aug. 2, 2024.

Abreu had a chance to put the Sox on top but hit into an inning-ending double play, leaving the game tied.

Just minutes later, Abreu redeemed himself, setting up one of the most ridiculous plays in the outfield, tracking down a would-be home run off the bat of Kerry Carpenter. He leapt up against the wall and batted the baseball down back into play and right into the glove of Rafaela, who was backing up the Gold Glove fielder.

“Great job by the kid in center field just following the play; that was awesome,” Cora said of Rafaela.

Boston had one last chance to win in the ninth but couldn't get the go-ahead runner home. Narváez and Rafaela both singled to start the frame, but after Duran lined out to deep left, the runners advanced, putting men at the corners with one out. Devers struck out on a 96 mph heater, and Bregman grounded into a fielder’s choice to end the threat.

OFF DAY BEFORE HEADING HOME

The Red Sox will have Thursday off before beginning a homestand starting with the Braves coming to Boston for three games. For the first time in league history, the Red Sox will face both the AL and NL reigning Cy Young winners in back-to-back games. Chris Sale (1-3, 3.97 ERA) will face his old team on Friday night, opposing ace left-handed Garrett Crochet (4-2, 1.93 ERA).

The pitching probables for the remainder of the weekend will feature Grant Holmes (2-4, 4.14 ERA) versus Lucas Giolito (1-1, 5.51 ERA) on Saturday. In the series finale on Sunday, righty Spencer Schwellenbach (2-3, 3.31 ERA) will go for the Braves while the Sox are still deciding who will pitch. 

TANNER HOUCK TO THE IL

Tanner Houck is heading to the injured list with a right flexor pronator strain after a horrific start in the series opener, where he allowed 11 earned runs in 2 1/3 innings, just four weeks after the Rays embarrassed him, scoring 12 runs (11 earned) on 10 hits in 2 1/3 innings in Tampa.

“He has soreness; he hasn’t been able to bounce back, and the last few days have been a grind,” Cora said postgame.

Houck is 0-3 with an 8.04 ERA through his first nine starts. The 28-year-old has given up 39 earned runs in 43.2 innings. Boston recalled Cooper Criswell from Triple-A Worcester to take his spot on the roster.

With Houck out, the team is on the verge of activating Walker Buehler off the IL. 

“Buehler tomorrow, the up-and-down (bullpen session) at home,” Cora said. “Hopefully, everything goes well. If everything goes well, he’ll be in the Mets series, probably the second game.”