The Red Sox were in Cleveland trying to keep pace with playoff-caliber teams. They fought back late, tying the game in the ninth and handing the ball to closer Ryan Brasier, but it unraveled from there. Facing Oscar Mercado, Brasier missed his spots several times before hanging an off-speed pitch that Mercado crushed into the outfield for the walk-off. Jason Kipnis and the rest of the Guardians mobbed Mercado at home plate, launching helmets, water bottles, and a pretty poor Gatorade toss from Kevin Plawecki, who missed everyone entirely. Francisco Lindor added his own celebration punches, and Carlos Santana tried to escape but got pulled back into the chaos. Everyone got a shot in, including Perez with the bird’s nest on his head.
The final scene showed a father-son duo celebrating the wild finish in the stands, capping a good night for Cleveland fans and another frustrating one for the Red Sox bullpen. Once again, Boston’s relief pitching couldn’t hold a late lead, which has become a recurring problem. As the Guardians let loose with water bottles and rolled jerseys, the Red Sox walked off the field knowing they let one slip.