The Boston Red Sox left Fenway Park on Thursday with another game that got away from them. A 2-2 tie against the Atlanta Braves turned into a 10-2 loss after the bullpen unraveled in the sixth inning.
Boston dropped to 23-32 on the season. The Red Sox had created traffic against former ace Chris Sale, and had a real chance to turn the afternoon into something better.
Instead, the game became another reminder of how thin the margin has become. Now the Red Sox head to Cleveland to face the Guardians.
Red Sox Make Bello Decision
The Red Sox announced after Thursday’s loss that left-hander Tyler Samaniego will start Friday’s series opener against the Cleveland Guardians.
Brayan Bello is expected to follow him and handle the bulk of the game.
Bello’s season has looked completely different depending on the role. As a traditional starter, he has posted a 9.68 ERA across seven outings. Behind an opener, the results have shifted dramatically. In three bulk relief appearances, Bello has allowed only two earned runs, good for a 0.98 ERA.
Interim manager Chad Tracy acknowledged Thursday that the Red Sox could not ignore that split.
“You can’t ignore how Bello has pitched behind an opener,” Tracy said.
Samaniego gets the start. Bello gets the runway after that.
GettyATLANTA, GEORGIA – MAY 17: Brayan Bello #66 of the Boston Red Sox pitches during the first inning against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park on May 17, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
Samaniego to Open Instead of Moran
Jovani Morán had opened each of Bello’s previous bulk relief appearances, but Tracy made clear before Thursday’s game that the Red Sox were weighing up different options. Morán has been effective in regular relief work, and Boston does not want to damage one useful lane while trying to fix another.
That is where Samaniego enters.
The left-hander gives the Red Sox another option without forcing Morán out of a role that has worked better later in games. It also lets Boston keep Bello in the setup where he has looked most comfortable.
GettyBOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – MAY 02: Tyler Samaniego #78 of the Boston Red Sox pitches in the ninth inning against the Houston Astros at Fenway Park on May 02, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jaiden Tripi/Getty Images)
Braves Series Ends With Bullpen Collapse
The Red Sox had a chance to leave Fenway with a series win. Instead, the Braves took two of three, and the finale got away from Boston quickly.
The game was tied 2-2 entering the sixth inning. From there, the bullpen could not hold the line.
Danny Coulombe struggled. Greg Weissert entered in a difficult spot, walked in the go-ahead run, and then gave up a grand slam to Ronald Acuña Jr. What had been a tight game became a 7-2 deficit in a matter of minutes.
The Braves kept adding on and finished off a 10-2 win.
GettyBOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – MAY 28: Ronald Acuña Jr. #13 of the Atlanta Braves is greeted at home plate by teammates after hitting a grand slam home run in the sixth inning against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on May 28, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jaiden Tripi/Getty Images)
Final Word for the Red Sox
The Red Sox do not have many clean answers right now. Their record shows that. Their home struggles show that. As do their bullpen struggles.
But Bello behind an opener has been one of the few ideas that has actually worked.
The Red Sox are trying it again. Samaniego gets the start.
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