But Sox take finale on weird walk-off single
BOSTON — Even a walk-off victory on the final day of the season was tinged with disappointment for these Boston Red Sox.
Eduardo Rodriguez missed out on a 20-win season when Boston’s bullpen blew a late lead, but the Red Sox overcame a potential home run stolen by Stevie Wilkerson’s leaping catch to beat the Baltimore Orioles 5-4 Sunday in the regular season finale on Mookie Betts’ ninth-inning dash home.
Betts scored from first on a single by Rafael Devers with no outs. Devers’ hit caromed off shortstop Richie Martin’s glove, causing Wilkerson to hesitate in right. Betts beat a late throw by Wilkerson to give his team a celebratory cap to a frustrating season.
“I think everybody was kind of ready to go. So I just decided to go home,” Betts said.
Wilkerson made a late entry for catch of the year in the eighth. He chased Jackie Bradley Jr.’s fly ball to the edge of the visitors’ bullpen, leaped over the short wall and pulled back Bradley’s would-be homer while nearly tumbling into the seats.
“I knew if I had the space to get to it, I’d have a chance to get it,” Wilkerson said. “I had a good bead on it and just jumped up and grabbed.”
Brandon Workman (10-1) pitched one inning and struck out three to pick up the victory. Dillion Tate (0-2) got the loss for Baltimore (54-108), which was denied its first sweep of the season.
Rodriguez pitched seven innings and was pulled with Boston leading 4-3, putting him in line for a career-high 20th win.
But then Baltimore’s Hanser Alberto reached on an error by shortstop Xander Bogaerts leading off the eighth and scored the tying run when Jonathan Villar singled off Matt Barnes.
“That’s something I can’t control as a pitcher,” Rodriguez said. “I can just go out there and get three outs every time I go to the mound.”
Boston finished 84-78 a year after winning a franchise-record 108 games during the regular season. The Orioles made a sixgame improvement from 2018.
The Red Sox are the 10th team since 2000 to win the World Series and not qualify for the postseason the following year.
“It was rough. A lot of ups and downs. We never really got hot,” Betts said. “When that happens, this happens.”
While this season is something for the Orioles to build on, the Red Sox trudge into an offseason that promises to bring several changes.
There will be a new leader in baseball operations following the firing of Dave Dombrowski. AllStar slugger J.D. Martinez must decide whether to exercise a player option. Starter Rick Porcello is a free agent. The person hired will have to deal with a payroll crunch that includes finding room for raises for Betts from $20 million and Jackie Bradley Jr. from $8.55 million. Both are eligible for free agency after the 2020 World Series.
“I had memories here and good times here,” Martinez said. “But it’s the business side of it, and I always let (agent) Scott (Boras) handle that. But, obviously, it would be nice to be back.”
Controlling owner John Henry has also vowed to cut back after having baseball’s highest payroll for two straight seasons. Boston is on track to pay a $13 million luxury tax this year on a payroll of $243 million.