RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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Red Sox right-hander Sonny Gray can reach a major career milestone tonight when he takes the mound against the Blue Jays. Getty
Friday night at Fenway Park, the big story before the game was Rafael Devers ‘return with the San Francisco Giants to face the former team that traded him, the Boston Red Sox.
He spoke to the media before the game, then, after striking out and drawing a walk from Red Sox starter Sonny Gray, Devers blasted a solo home run to center field to cut San Francisco’s deficit to 5-4 in the top of the fourth inning. That didn’t sit well with Boston’s right-handed pitcher. He clearly wasn’t happy.
“After the fourth, I came in, and I was (ticked) and upset, and (pitching coach Andrew Bailey) just simply said, ‘Hey, we’re still winning the game,’” Gray said, per Tim Healy of the Boston Globe. “And I was kind of like, you know what? You’re right. We’re still winning the game.”
Gray rebounded to toss two scoreless innings to save the Red Sox bullpen in what ended up being a 6-4 victory. Willson Contreras hit a go-ahead three-run home run in the bottom of the third to jump-start a five-run rally to beat the struggling Giants.
Sonny Gray Picks up 16th Win of 2026 Season for Boston Red Sox
Gray has been very good this season after being acquired from the St. Louis Cardinals over the winter. However, Friday night he battled harder than he has needed in the past to get his 16th win of the season. It wasn’t something that interim manager Chad Tracy thought was possible after the top of the fourth inning.
“We were like, are we going to be able to get him through five? And you’re able to get them through six with two zeros to finish it, and put us in a better spot with the bullpen,” said Tracy, per Healey.
After the fourth, Gray looked more like himself in 2026. He needed just eight pitches in both innings to qualify for the win. Gray also set up the bullpen the way Tracy and Bailey wanted it late in the game. Gray allowed seven hits and four runs with six strikeouts in six innings.
“I was happy and proud to get through six,” Gray said, per Healey. “I just felt a little off, and that’s OK. Boys picked me up big time.”
Boston Red Sox Continue To Roll
How good has Gray been this season? He didn’t have his best, but he was still able to improve to 16-3. He deserves to be in the Cy Young conversation. Whether or not he wins it is another conversation.
However, where would the Red Sox be without Gray and Contreras? Both were acquired from the Cardinals in separate trades last winter. Both have played a big part in Boston’s turnaround and success this summer. His 450-foot home run was his 26th of the season.
The definition of a no-doubter. pic.twitter.com/6F2F4PPX3J
— Red Sox (@RedSox) August 22, 2026
The Red Sox will look for the series win on Saturday night at Fenway Park. They will send Patrick Sandoval to the mound against Blade Tidwell. San Francisco is trying to stave off the Colorado Rockies for last place in the National League West Division. It is a series that Boston should win, and Sandoval can clinch it with another strong outing.
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