A Pitcher's Night to Remember
Sonny Gray delivered a standout outing, scattering six hits over seven innings while striking out seven batters. The effort marked his 15th career win and underscored his role as the ace of the Boston rotation.
The offense struck early when Wilyer Abreu launched a solo home run in the second frame, a 420‑foot blast off a fastball from Jared Jones that put the Red Sox ahead 1-0.
Masataka Yoshida exited the game in the third inning due to left hamstring tightness, prompting a substitution by Anthony Seigler behind the plate.
Andruw Monasterio added two runs with an RBI double in the ninth inning, driving in a key baserunner and extending the lead. Jahmai Jones subsequently brought Monasterio home with a timely hit.
Despite the victory, Boston struggled with efficiency, going 2 for 11 with runners in scoring position and leaving seven runners on base.
Relief efforts were solid: Erik Miller worked a hitless eighth inning, and Aroldis Chapman closed out the game by striking out two Pirates batters in the ninth.
Jared Jones, the Pirates' starter, matched Gray with seven strikeouts over five innings, but the Boston bats proved too much.
The series will conclude on Sunday with Patrick Sandoval taking the mound for Boston against Paul Skenes for Pittsburgh, a matchup that could further shape the playoff picture.
This win marks the third time in recent memory that a Red Sox starter has reached 15 victories, joining the likes of Garrett Crochet (18 wins in 2025) and Eduardo Rodriguez (19 wins in 2019).
The Pirates also saw contributions from Esmerlyn Valdez and Jake Mangum, each collecting two hits during the contest.