Red Sox reactions: Offense has 28 Ks in last two games, weird play contributes to another loss
1) A day after a bizarre catcher's interference call badly hurt the Red Sox... an even more bizarre catcher's interference call badly hurt the Red Sox. Philadelphia's second run of the game is the one people will remember.
With runners on second and third, two outs and Brandon Marsh batting, Bryce Harper broke toward home for a straight steal attempt and was awarded the base (and a run) on a very confusing play. It was ruled that Carlos Narváez committed a catcher's interference (an error) by blocking the plate as Harper came home. Narváez was then charged with a catcher balk, by rule. A crew chief review confirmed the ruling, which allowed Harper to score, Nick Castellanos to take third and Marsh to advance to first base.
The Red Sox passed along a 'supervisor explanation, saying that 'the umpires on the field came to headset to confirm Official Baseball Rule 6.01(g), 'If, with a runner on third base and trying to score by means of a squeeze play or a steal, the catcher or any other fielder steps on, or in front of home base without possession of the ball, or touches the batter or his bat, the pitcher shall be charged with a balk, the batter shall be awarded first base on the interference and the ball is dead.'"
2) Outside of the weird first-inning play, Sánchez — a breakout star and well-documented All-Star snub — was the story. The lefty, like Zack Wheeler a day earlier, carved the Red Sox up, but with more success. Sánchez held Boston to four hits (including two infield singles) in a complete game, needing 106 pitches to get through nine innings. He struck out 12, including two batters in the ninth.
The Red Sox have now struck out 28 times in two games in Philly so far.
A Sox offense that was hot before the All-Star break has cooled off significantly, scoring just 10 runs in five games since play resumed. A big part of that, though, is the talented pitching staffs of the Cubs and Phillies, who have started Colin Rea, Shota Imanaga, Wheeler and Sánchez.
3) Ultimately, the first-inning strangeness didn't define Fitts' start. Loud contact did.
Pitching for the first time in 15 days after being sent down, then shortly called back up from Triple-A due to Hunter Dobbins' injury the week before the All-Star break, Fitts allowed four runs on six hits (including no-doubt homers by Max Kepler and Kyle Schwarber) in just 3 ⅓ innings. Philadelphia led 4-0 at the end of two innings. A veteran lineup that was stymied by Walker Buehler on Monday didn't leave many chances on the table against Fitts.
At this point, Fitts, who obviously has options to go, would be the odd man out if Craig Breslow acquires a starter before next week's trade deadline. For now, Fitts is penciled in to start Monday in Minneapolis.
4) Rob Refsnyder did what he does against left-handed pitchers, providing Boston's only offense with a solo homer to lead off the fourth. His sixth homer of 2025 was his fifth off a lefty.
Refsnyder remained 'tremendously locked in' but his fellow lefty-masher Romy Gonzalez did not. Gonzalez, hitting cleanup, struck out three times in an 0-for-4 showing and is now in an 0-for-18 funk over his last six games.
5) It was another night to forget for Roman Anthony in a tough left-on-left matchup. The rookie donned a golden sombrero, going 0-for-4 with four strikeouts, including one for the first out of the ninth. He has now struck out eight times so far in Philadelphia after going 1-for-5 with 4 Ks in the opener.
6) It would be unfair to pump up the post-break road trip to Chicago and Philadelphia as a litmus test for the Red Sox and then not think they have failed that test (to this point). There have been close games, strange rulings and competitive play. Still, though, a 1-4 record is what it is.
7) The Red Sox will have one of their top three starters on the mound Wednesday as they look to avoid a sweep (and a 1-5 road trip) on Wednesday. Righty Lucas Giolito (6-2, 3.59 ERA) will face the Phillies and lefty Jesús Luzardo (8-5, 4.29 ERA). First pitch is at 7:05 p.m. ET and the game will air nationally on ESPN.
More Red Sox coverage
Fenway Insider Live: Submit questions for MassLive's Sean McAdam
Why Alex Cora isn't worried about Red Sox offense striking out 28 times in two games
Red Sox hurt by another weird play at plate: 'Stuff I've never seen in my life,' Alex Cora says
Rafael Devers makes first base debut for Giants on Tuesday, five weeks after Red Sox traded him
Red Sox sitting three key players — including Jarren Duran — vs. Phillies lefty Tuesday night
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