The Boston Red Sox recorded 20 strikeouts, matching an all-time franchise record, in their 4-2 loss to the Minnesota Twins at Fenway Park on Friday night. However, the more significant blow was losing Rafael Devers for the remainder of the season’s eight games.
Devers, who started at third base, went 1-for-4 with two strikeouts before being replaced by Vaughn Grissom in the top of the 11th inning. His performance evident in both his swings and throws to first base, which required a stretch from 6-foot-4 Triston Casas suggested he wasn’t at full strength. Devers has been dealing with a lingering right shoulder injury but hasn’t given up hope as the team remains technically in the playoff hunt.
No, he’s not OK” said Red Sox manager Alex Cora during postgame interviews, as reported by NESN. “You saw him throwing today; his shoulder was bothering him. He actually felt it while hitting inside. He’ll get an MRI tomorrow to see where we stand, but this might be it for him.”
The Red Sox further damaged their already slim playoff chances, missing opportunities to close the wild-card gap during their difficult second-half stretch of 23-35. With their loss to the Twins, they now trail by five games, while the Detroit Tigers and Seattle Mariners are just behind the Twins.
If this is the end for Devers, he finishes the season with a .272/.354/.516 slash line, 28 home runs, 34 doubles, and a team-leading 83 RBIs across 138 games. A three-time All-Star, Devers’ potential absence could mark Boston’s likely third consecutive postseason miss, ending the season on a rough note with a .188 batting average in September.
“It’s tough. I’m super proud of him,” Red Sox teammate Trevor Story said postgame. “He’s the face of the franchise and still comes out here to play. He’s been banged up for a while, but he wants to win. He sets the tone for everyone—showing that even if you’re hurt, you can still contribute.”
Be the first to comment