Red Sox survive late scare behind Payton Tolle gem, Willson Contreras go-head homer

The Red Sox never seem to make things easy.

Boston rode an outstanding outing from rookie left-hander Payton Tolle and a clutch eighth-inning go-ahead homer from Willson Contreras to a 3-2 victory over the Braves on Saturday night at Truist Park.

For a lineup constantly searching for one big swing, the Red Sox finally got it from their slugging first baseman. Down in the count 1-2, Contreras golfed a two-run homer off Braves right-hander Bryce Elder deep into the left-field seats to give Boston the lead late in the game. The blast traveled 426 feet and marked Contreras’ ninth home run of the season. The veteran entered the at-bat mired in a 3-for-29 slump.

Before Contreras delivered, the Red Sox had gone 0-for-9 with runners in scoring position. Boston finished the night just 1-for-10 in those situations while stranding five runners on base.

Tolle turned in the best outing of his young major league career. The rookie left-hander was dominant Saturday night, tossing a career-high eight innings while allowing just two runs on four hits. He walked one batter and struck out four. Tolle needed only 85 pitches, 60 for strikes, to complete the deepest outing of his career and give Boston exactly the type of length it desperately needed.

“It speaks volumes to how good they’re throwing the ball,” interim manager Chad Tracy told reporters of Tolle and the rest of the Red Sox rotation this season.

Drake Baldwin continued to torment Red Sox pitching in the opening inning, homering in back-to-back games against Boston after taking Connelly Early deep Friday night. The Braves catcher later added a second RBI with a two-out run-scoring single in the fifth inning.

Boston had opportunities to break the game open earlier, but continued to struggle cashing in runners.

In the fourth inning, the Red Sox loaded the bases with nobody out. Masataka Yoshida then lined a soft fly ball to right field that turned into chaos. José Azócar fired a strike home that nearly cut down a sliding Mickey Gasper at the plate, potentially turning the sacrifice fly into a double play.  Gasper was initially ruled safe and, after a lengthy replay review, the call stood.

The Red Sox threatened again in the seventh inning when Ceddanne Rafaela led off with a double.

But Braves right-hander Elder needed just four pitches to retire Marcelo Mayer, Andruw Monasterio, and Caleb Durbin m, all on ground balls, to escape the inning.

Late in the game, social media briefly erupted after the NESN broadcast caught several Red Sox relievers hugging Aroldis Chapman in the bullpen, sparking speculation about a possible injury or trade.

Those rumors were quickly silenced when Chapman jogged in for the ninth inning.

Protecting a one-run lead, Chapman retired Ozzie Albies on a pop out to Contreras before Matt Olson lined out to Monasterio at shortstop.

Monasterio airmailed a throw to first base on an Austin Riley ground ball that appeared destined to end the game, extending the inning and giving Atlanta life.

Pinch-runner Jorge Mateo then stole second base before Chapman suddenly lost the strike zone and issued back-to-back walks, loading the bases with the tying and winning runs in scoring position.

With two strikes, Braves shortstop Ha-Seong Kim ripped a 103.9 mph comebacker directly at Chapman.

The veteran closer managed to deflect the ball, dive to corral it, and throw Kim out at first base to end the game in dramatic fashion.

Chapman is now a perfect 9-for-9 in save opportunities this season and lowered his ERA to 0.57.

Jarren Duran also showed signs of life offensively.

The speedy outfielder opened the game by snapping a 0-for-18 slump with a line-drive double. He finished 1-for-4 and is now hitting .176 with a .534 OPS on the season.

The victory snapped Boston’s two-game losing streak and prevented the Red Sox from falling nine games under .500 for the first time this season.

Boston also improved to 4-19 this year when allowing the first run of the game.

The Red Sox and Braves will wrap up the series Sunday afternoon with Brayan Bello (2-4, 6.46 ERA) scheduled to face Atlanta right-hander Grant Holmes (2-1, 4.35 ERA). First pitch is set for 1:35 p.m. ET.