Boston, MA – The Boston Red Sox secured a 3‑2 win over the San Francisco Giants on Saturday night, thanks to a dramatic ninth‑inning rally at Fenway Park. The decisive play came when Eli White slid head‑first into home plate with the winning run, a call that held after a video review.
Key moments of the game
In the top of the ninth, Giants first baseman Bryce Eldridge made a diving stop on a hard grounder from Wilyer Abreu and threw home in an attempt to force out the runner. Umpire James Hoye ruled White safe, prompting an immediate celebration from the Red Sox bench. The Giants challenged the call, but the review upheld the safe ruling, leading to a second round of cheers.
Earlier, Giants outfielder Willy Adames hit a solo home run over the Green Monster, giving San Francisco an early lead. Boston responded in the eighth inning when Dylan Smith escaped a bases‑loaded, no‑out jam, keeping the game within reach.
Rally in the eighth and ninth
Boston tied the game when pinch‑hitter Eli White delivered a run‑scoring single, followed by Nick Sogard’s RBI double down the left‑field line. The rally set the stage for the decisive ninth‑inning play.
Reliever Sam Hentges (1‑6) was charged with the loss after the Red Sox’s late surge. Wyatt Olds (1‑0) earned the win for Boston, while Giants catcher Andrew Knizner added a home run for San Francisco.
Notable performances
Giants designated hitter Rafael Devers, playing his second game back at Fenway after being traded by the Red Sox last season, was booed by the crowd at each at‑bat and finished 0‑for‑4 with a walk.
Boston’s starter Blade Tidwell, coming off a rough outing that included a career‑high five walks, limited the Giants to seven strikeouts over 5 2/3 innings. Giants pitcher Patrick Sandoval gave up two solo homers and five hits in the same span, after a previous start in which he allowed a season‑high seven earned runs.
Series outlook
The Red Sox captured the series opener on Friday when Willson Contreras hit a 450‑foot, three‑run home run. The next game, the series finale on Sunday, will feature Boston left‑hander Jake Bennett (7‑6, 3.46 ERA) on the mound. The Giants have not yet announced their starter for the finale.
Boston fans left Fenway Park energized by the comeback, while the Giants will look to regroup after their tenth loss in thirteen games.
Original reporting: NBC10 Boston — read the source article.
