Boston Red Sox pitcher Sonny Gray expressed frustration after manager Chad Tracy removed him from Wednesday night’s playoff game against the New York Yankees after just 70 pitches. Gray believed he was pitching effectively and wanted the opportunity to continue, but Boston’s decision to turn to its bullpen did little to change the outcome.
The Red Sox suffered a 9-2 defeat at Yankee Stadium, completing a two-game sweep by their biggest rivals in the American League Wild Card Series. For the second consecutive season, New York ended Boston’s postseason hopes.
Gray, who recorded 18 wins during the regular season, questioned the decision to take him out during a crucial moment.
“I think I’m the best pitcher in the American League going through the order a third time. I think that’s a fact,” Gray said. “I would have liked to have been trusted in that moment.”
Red Sox Struggle Again as Yankees Complete Playoff Sweep
Boston entered Wednesday’s game knowing that a loss would end its season. However, the team’s offense struggled once again against New York’s pitching.
The Yankees secured a 9-2 victory and outscored Boston 18-2 across the two games. The Red Sox managed only seven hits in Wednesday’s contest, although Willson Contreras finally ended their 26-inning postseason scoring drought with a solo home run in the sixth inning.
New York also managed to produce 26 hits across the series despite playing without injured slugger Aaron Judge.
Boston’s latest postseason disappointment followed a difficult season that included a managerial change in April, when Chad Tracy took over after Alex Cora was fired.
Shortstop Trevor Story acknowledged how difficult it was to experience another early playoff exit against the Yankees.
“To have it end here two times in a row is tough,” Story said.
Gray Disagrees With Decision to Bring in the Bullpen
Gray appeared to give Boston a chance to extend its season. The right-hander had allowed just one run when the Red Sox trailed 1-0 in the fifth inning.
After giving up a two-out single to Ben Rice, which placed runners at the corners, Tracy decided to remove Gray and bring in left-handed reliever Erik Miller.
Gray felt he still had enough control and sharpness to continue pitching.
“I felt good. I felt crisp. I felt sharp,” Gray said. He added that he had allowed a solo home run and a few singles but believed he had maintained an aggressive approach throughout the outing.
The decision drew attention because Boston had relied heavily on its bullpen during the regular season. However, the relievers struggled throughout the playoff series.
Willson Contreras also appeared reluctant to comment directly on the manager’s decision. He emphasized that statistics and technology cannot replace experience in important baseball situations.
Erik Miller Gives Up Another Important Run
Tracy’s decision to use Miller against a left-handed hitter also became a talking point.
The reliever had entered Tuesday’s game after starter Payton Tolle was removed and immediately allowed a 423-foot solo home run to Ben Rice.
On Wednesday, Miller was brought in to face Cody Bellinger. Although Bellinger bats left-handed, his numbers against left-handed pitchers made the matchup notable.
He had hit .274 against left-handed pitching during the season and .310 over the previous two years, the highest average among left-handed hitters in the major leagues during that period.
Bellinger responded with an RBI single to right field, extending New York’s advantage.
Tracy explained that Boston’s offensive struggles influenced his aggressive bullpen decisions. With the team already trailing and struggling to score, he felt the need to make changes in an attempt to prevent the game from getting away.
Yankees Capitalize on Boston’s Bullpen Problems
Boston’s bullpen continued to struggle after Miller entered the game.
Returning from a shoulder injury, Garrett Crochet took the mound in the sixth inning for his first appearance since April 25. It was also his first relief appearance since 2023, when he was with the Chicago White Sox.
Crochet opened with a strikeout, but Spencer Jones reached base on a wild pitch. The left-hander failed to record an out before being replaced.
New York continued attacking Boston’s pitching, and Cody Bellinger later hit a three-run home run against Garrett Whitlock.
The Yankees scored six runs in the inning, extending their lead to 8-1 and effectively putting the game out of reach.
Boston’s bullpen, which had led Major League Baseball with a 3.00 ERA during the regular season, finished the series with a 20.25 ERA. Across 6⅔ innings, the relievers allowed 15 runs, 15 hits and seven walks.
A Remarkable Season Ends in Disappointment
Despite the disappointing postseason finish, the Red Sox had experienced a dramatic turnaround during the 2026 season.
Boston began the campaign with a difficult 32-46 record, leaving its playoff hopes in serious doubt. Tracy, who had been managing Triple-A Worcester, was promoted to interim manager following Cora’s departure.
The team’s fortunes eventually changed, including a four-game sweep of the Yankees at Fenway Park in late June.
In July, Boston put together a 15-game winning streak, matching a franchise record. The team also recorded a remarkable 32-5 stretch that helped bring it back into postseason contention.
The Red Sox became the fourth team in major league history to reach the playoffs after falling 14 games below .500. They were also the first team to qualify after losing as many as 44 of their first 75 games.
Following their postseason qualification, Boston removed Tracy’s interim designation and signed him to a three-year contract running through 2029,
