Red Sox manager Alex Cora took full responsibility for his team’s dismal performance after a crushing 16-1 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays. With Boston’s offense barely showing signs of life and starting pitcher Tanner Houck surrendering 12 runs in just over two innings, the Red Sox were completely outmatched. Cora acknowledged the team looked unprepared and said that failure started at the top, taking the blame for not having his players ready.
Defensive Errors, Inconsistent Pitching Force Red Sox to Refocus and Regroup Quickly
The Red Sox have now dropped six of their last eight games, and their defensive struggles continue to mount. With 20 errors so far this season, leading the majors, Boston’s defensive lapses are a major concern. Alex Bregman committed his fourth error of the season in the Rays’ explosive nine-run third inning. Cora bluntly pointed out the team’s failings across the board: poor defense, weak offense, and unreliable pitching.
Alex Cora (MLB)Following Monday’s disaster, Cora stressed the need to regroup quickly and emphasized the importance of playing a “clean game” moving forward. He acknowledged the defeat was painful from the very first pitch and said he would focus on preparing the team better for the next outing. Despite singling out some defensive misplays, he stopped short of blaming decision-making, saying the team is simply not executing fundamental plays.
Offensive Inconsistency Raises Concerns as Players Embrace Accountability and Remain Confident
Boston’s offensive stats further highlight the team’s inconsistency. They’ve scored 78 runs in 18 games—an average of 4.3 per game—but nearly 40% of those runs came in just two high-scoring wins over the Cardinals. In the remaining 16 games, the Red Sox have averaged under three runs per game, underscoring their inability to string together consistent offensive performances.
While Cora was quick to take accountability, shortstop Trevor Story pushed back, saying the players must also own the performance. He emphasized the pride associated with wearing a Red Sox jersey and said it’s on the players to improve. Story remained optimistic, expressing confidence that the team has the talent and character to turn things around, despite the rough stretch.
