MLB· Season 2026
Willson Contreras hit a 116-mph 3-run HR, Sonny Gray earned his 16th win, and Boston held off San Francisco 6-4 in Rafael Devers' emotional return to Fenway Park.
Match Videos
Match Analysis
AI SummaryRed Sox erupt for five in the third
San Francisco drew first blood in the top of the third when Bryce Eldridge singled off Gray to drive in Christian Koss, who had doubled and advanced to third on a groundout.
The lead lasted one half-inning.
Logan Webb (8-8) retired the first two Red Sox batters in the bottom of the third before the wheels came off. Eric Sogard singled, Adley Rutschman walked, and Wilyer Abreu singled to load the bases. Willson Contreras then jumped on an 85-mph changeup and sent it 450 feet over the Green Monster and out of Fenway — a three-run blast that put Boston ahead 3-1.
According to MLB's Statcast, the 116-mph exit velocity tied the hardest-hit home run of Contreras' career (previously May 31, 2022 vs. Milwaukee).
Boston wasn't done. A walk, a single, and another walk reloaded the bases. Andruw Monasterio drew a bases-loaded walk for a 4-1 lead, and Mickey Gasper was hit by a Webb pitch to force in a fifth run. Webb was pulled after 2.2 innings, charged with five earned runs on six hits and three walks.
Devers, Gilbert answer back
The Giants stormed right back in the fourth. Drew Gilbert crushed a two-run homer (his seventh) off Gray to cut the deficit to 5-3. Two batters later, Rafael Devers — greeted by a mix of cheers and boos in his first Fenway at-bat since June 2025 — launched a solo shot (his 26th) over the Green Monster to make it 5-4.
Between innings, the Red Sox played a tribute video for Devers on the scoreboard. The three-time All-Star applauded and waved as the crowd responded with appreciation.
Abreu's triple provides breathing room
Boston added a crucial insurance run in the sixth. Wilyer Abreu tripled off Trent Harris to score Jarren Duran from first, extending the lead to 6-4.
Boston's bullpen held from there. Mason Miller and Alec Gamboa combined for two scoreless innings before Chapman worked a perfect ninth, striking out three and allowing only a walk.
What it means
The Red Sox improved their record while handing Webb his eighth loss of the season. Boston's 11 hits doubled their runs production, while San Francisco left six runners on base and managed seven hits.
Betting markets saw the Over 7.5 cash with ease (10 total runs), and the Red Sox covered as -179 favourites.
Key performers
Willson Contreras (BOS): 1-for-2, HR (26), 3 RBI, 2 BB, R — 116-mph laser changed the game entirely. Player of the match.
Sonny Gray (BOS): 6.0 IP, 7 H, 4 ER, 0 BB, 6 K — improved to 16-3, tied for the MLB win lead.
Drew Gilbert (SF): 2-for-3, HR (7), 2 RBI — his two-run blast sparked the Giants' comeback bid.
Wilyer Abreu (BOS): 2-for-3, 3B, RBI, R — his sixth-inning triple proved the difference.
By the numbers
Boston's 11 hits to San Francisco's 7 tell the story of a game that tilted on a single at-bat: Contreras' 3-run HR. The Giants outscored Boston 3-1 over the final six innings, but Webb's implosion in the third left them chasing from behind all night. Boston's bullpen retired 10 of the final 13 batters faced.
Up next
The series continues Saturday with Giants RHP Blade Tidwell (0-0, 4.33 ERA) facing Red Sox LHP Patrick Sandoval (1-2, 4.76) at Fenway Park.
Rivalry since 2010
Boston Red Sox vs San Francisco Giants Head to Head Results· 22
Boston Red Sox and San Francisco Giants have met 22 times — Boston Red Sox won 12, San Francisco Giants won 10, with 0 draws. Their rivalry dates back to 2010. Boston Red Sox leads the head-to-head with 12 victories from 22 meetings. A combined 179 goals have been scored across these fixtures, averaging 8.14 per match (102 for the home side, 77 for the visitors). Both teams scored in 19 matches (86%). Over 2.5 goals landed in 22 games (100%), making it a fixture that tends to produce goals. The highest-scoring encounter finished 11–7 in 2016.
Statistics are for informational purposes only. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
API data: 22 Aug 2026