The Red Sox and Orioles wrapped their season tied 4-4 in the ninth when Mookie Betts stepped in for his final at-bat as a member of the Red Sox. Facing Dylan Tate, Mookie worked a full count and drew a walk. Devers followed and put a ball in play that Baltimore’s shortstop misplayed while shifted, letting Mookie take third. That’s when things fell apart for the Orioles. Steve Wilkerson lobbed the ball back toward the infield, and Mookie, reading the sloppy relay, turned on the jets and sprinted home. His third base coach told him to stay put, but Mookie ignored it and beat the throw. That run ended the season with a walk-off win for Boston and turned Fenway into a frenzy.
On replay, the mess becomes clearer. The shortstop gets a slow read, trusts the bounce, and bobbles it. Mookie, with both speed and awareness, capitalizes immediately. Wilkerson doesn’t come up firing, gives too soft a toss, and by the time he realizes Mookie’s running, it’s too late. Dylan Tate could only laugh, knowing the defense fell apart again. The Orioles’ outfield had been the worst in the league, and this finish just fit too well. Mookie’s dash was the last play of Boston’s year and his last as a Red Sox. A soaking Gatorade bath followed, and for one night at least, the crowd walked out of Fenway smiling.