Sean McAdam: Red Sox somehow keep finding new lows

On a Monday night, in a mid-season game against the worst – and unquestionably most anonymous – team in the National League, the Red Sox saw the perfect metaphor for their nightmarish 2026 season play out.

Something had to give in a game between the American League team with the fewest wins facing off with their counterparts in the National League.

But even allowing for that, this one bordered on the unbelievable.

Leading 2-0 heading into the bottom of the ninth and with the game’s most reliable closer on the mound, the Red Sox somehow coughed up the lead and earned a 3-2 walk-off loss to the Colorado Rockies.

Because of course they did.

Did we mention that it happened on a walk-off triple?

The Red Sox hadn’t lost a game in which they led after seven innings all season, and it was as if they had spent the last few weeks making certain that when they invariably did, it would be one that no one would forget.

“(Losing a late-inning lead) doesn’t happen to us very often. It hasn’t happened all year,” said interim manager Chad Tracy to reporters postgame. “Whether (a loss) happens late in the ninth or earlier in the game, they all sting. They all sting. It doesn’t sting any worse.”

That much is up for debate, I suppose. But there’s no getting around the absurdity of the late-inning details.

The Rockies had flirted with tying the game an inning earlier before apparently deciding it would be more entertaining to wait until the ninth. Colorado connected for four straight eighth inning hits off Garrett Whitlock, but because of some boneheaded baserunning, made two outs on the bases and came away without a run.

First, an overly aggressive send with one out resulted in Edouard Julien running into an easy out at first base. Next, Willi Castro considered going first-to-third on a single before realizing that teammate Mickey Moniak had taken up residence at third. Castro was then tagged out returning to second, ending the Rockies’ threat.

It was the first time since 1990 that the Red Sox had allowed four hits in one inning and not allowed a run. But it was only a temporary stay of execution.

Enter Chapman an inning later, who quickly yielded two singles. Next came a bunt try from Cole Carrigg, and with Willson Contreras crashing in from first, third baseman Caleb Durbin fielded the ball at third. But second baseman Andruw Monasterio was late covering the first base bag, forcing Durbin to double-pump a throw to first as Carrigg was safe by a half-step, loading the bases.

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McCarthy then hit a cue shot down the left field line that kicked off the wall, eluded Duran and gave the three Rockies time to circle the bases. McCarthy’s walk-off triple was only the sixth when trailing by two runs since the Divisional Era.

“In the moment of truth, the ball went to the (left field) corner,” said Chapman, “and you saw what happened.”

Chapman’s last blown save came July 23, 2025.

“That stuff is in the past,” he said. “It is what it is. (I) didn’t get the job done tonight. My job is to come through. Now, we just turn the page and look forward to the next game.”

The defeat was the 45th this season for the Red Sox, tying a franchise mark for most losses before July, set in 1996 and tied in 2014. Is there any question that a new record will be established in the next week, perhaps even Tuesday night?

The stunning loss managed to wipe out a host of positive developments from the night, including — but not limited to — a terrific start by rookie Jake Bennett (six shutout innings, a career-high nine strikeouts), a slump-busting RBI double from Contreras, and several standout plays from center fielder Ceddanne Rafaela.