Boston Red Sox Extend Winning Streak to 13 Games, First Time in 78 Years

The Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball (MLB) have continued their fierce momentum, riding a 13-game winning streak for the first time in 78 years.

Boston defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 6-1 in a home game held at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts, on July 20 (KST).

This 13-game winning streak is the team's longest since 1948, marking the second-longest streak in franchise history.

Boston struggled significantly at the beginning of the season.

Manager Alex Cora, who led the team to a World Series title in 2018, stepped down in April due to poor performance, leaving interim manager Chad Tracy to lead the team for the remainder of the season.

As of June 25, Boston was at the bottom of the American League East with a record of 32 wins and 46 losses.

However, they have since shown an incredible surge, winning 18 of their last 20 games to climb to third place in the division with a record of 50 wins and 48 losses.

They have also successfully entered the postseason contention, sitting in third place in the American League Wild Card race.

According to MLB.com, interim manager Tracy is the first manager to lead a 13-game winning streak after not starting the season as the team's manager since Jim Fregosi of the Philadelphia Phillies in 1991.

On the day the 13th consecutive win was achieved, starting pitcher Sonny Gray shone on the mound.

Making his first start after the All-Star break, Gray pitched six innings, allowing five hits and four walks while striking out eight and giving up only one run.

The only run he allowed was an inside-the-park home run to Victor Mesa Jr. in the second inning.

With this performance, Gray extended his streak of quality starts (at least six innings pitched with three or fewer earned runs allowed) to nine consecutive games.

The offense also supported the pitching staff with excellent focus.

In the third inning, the team scored three runs without a single hit, capitalizing on the opponent's wild pitches and fielder's choices to turn the game around.

Then, in the fifth inning with a 4-1 lead, Wilson Contreras hit a two-run home run, his 22nd of the season, to seal the victory.

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.