Boston Red Sox
Payton Tolle got off to a tough start against a formidable lineup.
Payton Tolle delivers a pitch in the first inning Sunday against the Rays. Steven Senne/AP Photo
May 10, 2026 | 4:52 PM
4 minutes to read
The Red Sox have hade some memorable Mother’s Day matinees over the years — most notably the miracle in 2007 when they scored six runs in the ninth — and entered Sunday’s showdown 17-8 on the holiday since 2000.
This year, there was no such magic, as Boston struggled in all facets in a largely uneventful and uninspiring 4-1 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays.
The Red Sox (17-23) fell behind early and couldn’t rally at Fenway Park. They’ve now lost three of their last four series two games to one.
After showing some promise against the struggling Tigers, Boston scored a combined seven runs in three games against the Rays (26-13).
Here are five takeaways:
Taking its Tolle
Payton Tolle had the opportunity to start in honor of his late mother, Jina Tolle, who died May 9, 2024, after a long battle with colon cancer.
While the outing certainly carried extra meaning from a sentimental standpoint, it didn’t unfold the way Tolle envisioned.
“This week is really tough for me,” Tolle said. “I’m not going to lie to you. It’s a tough week, and I think yesterday would have been just as hard. It’s tough. I try to get away from it as much as I can, but at the same time, it’s life. It’s part of it. Some things are bigger than baseball in that aspect.”
Tolle, who entered with a 2.04 ERA, allowed three earned runs on seven hits and struck out four in five innings.
Junior Caminero blasted a no-doubter over the Green Monster in the first, then the Rays scored two more in the third to seize command.
“I felt good today,” Tolle said. “They had a plan and they stuck to it and beat me. It’s kind of as simple as that.”
The Red Sox didn’t help Tolle in the field, as shortstop Trevor Story committed an error that allowed Nick Fortes to scamper home.
Boston has largely fielded well of late, but in this instance, an untimely error played a major factor.
“That was the one inning they strung some hits together against [Tolle],” said interim manager Chad Tracy. “
Tolle hit his stride as the game progressed, and struck out Caminero for his final out in the fifth, but the damage had been done.
“I can’t even imagine what it’s like to toe the rubber on a day like that,” said catcher Mickey Gasper. “For him to go out there and do what he did today, I’m very proud of him.”
Tampa added one in the sixth on a sacrifice bunt before Ceddanne Rafaela made a diving grab to prevent another run from scoring.
Story not finished
In addition to the error, Story’s day at the plate started in rough fashion as he struck out in his first two plate appearances to extend his hitless streak to nine at-bats.
Fans booed him following the strikeout in the fourth inning.
Story wasn’t done just yet. He responded in the sixth with a double off the wall and came around to score on a Gasper single to right to slice the deficit to 4-1.
But, in the eighth inning, he struck out a third and final time. His average is now an even .200, his on-base percentage .236, and his slugging percentage .284 – all career lows – and he’s fanned 14 times in his last six games.
Last Gasp
Gasper was a bright spot for the Red Sox, finishing 3 for 4 with two doubles and the RBI.
“I just felt like I was seeing the ball today,” Gasper said. “I felt confident in the box. All those things that you work on downstairs just felt natural today.”
The 30-year-old Merrimack, N.H., native, didn’t record a hit in 18 at-bats with the Red Sox in 2024 and hit just .158 over 45 games with the Minnesota Twins last year.
Chad Tracy’s rationale for slotting Mickey Gasper in as today’s catcher:
“He knows Tolle; he’s caught him two, three times down in Worcester, I watched him do it. He knows how to handle him, he knows his arsenal, he knows his usages, and the left-handed bat, which is a very… pic.twitter.com/T7HPSdHyRM
— NESN (@NESN) May 9, 2026
The Red Sox recalled Gasper from Triple-A Worcester on Thursday. He was hitting .296 with 27 RBIs for the club and hit .345 in Spring Training this year.
Gasper has made 13 starts as the catcher, 10 as the designated hitter, five at second base, two at first base, and has also played four innings in left field. His versatility could help him stick around with the club, particularly if Willson Contreras has to miss time.
Without Willson
Contreras exited the game with a right-hand contusion after he was hit by a pitch in the first inning.
It was the eighth time he’s been hit by a pitch this season.
“The quick scans that we do here came back negative, which is good,” Tracy said. “Sore. That’s all we know at this point.”
He stayed on the field initially to run the bases, then Andruw Monasterio replaced him at first base between innings. Contreras has been one of the Red Sox’ most consistent players this season, hitting. 259 with team highs in home runs (eight) and RBIs (23).
The Red Sox are thin at first base and may have to use Monasterio or Gasper there if Contreras is out.
Falling behind
The Red Sox are now 3-16 when their opponents score first, 5-17 when scoring fewer than four runs, and 0-20 when trailing after seven innings.
They showed signs of life late — putting runners on second and third with two outs in the ninth — but couldn’t rally against a formidable foe.
This was the 10th time the Red Sox have scored one run or zero runs this season, tied for the most in the American League. Anything can happen in a given game, but there’s enough of a sample size now to fairly say this team isn’t built to respond after falling behind.
The formula is pitching, defense, and timely hitting, and the Red Sox didn’t have any of those Sunday afternoon.
Trevor Hass is a sports producer for Boston.com, where he writes and edits stories about Boston’s professional teams, among other tasks.
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