Red Sox Win 11-Inning Slugfest vs Phillies, 9–8

By Oliver Wiener July 25, 2025 09:23

In an electrifying MLB battle on July 23, 2025, the Boston Red Sox rallied from a five-run deficit to defeat the Philadelphia Phillies 9-8 in an extra-inning slugfest at Citizens Bank Park. Fueled by clutch hitting and resilient pitching, Boston avoided a series sweep and matched Seattle for the second AL Wild Card spot with the key victory.

The game started explosively in Philadelphia, as the Phillies jumped out to a commanding 5-0 lead with five home runs. Kyle Schwarber opened the barrage with his 34th homer of the season, followed closely by Bryce Harper launching a towering second-deck shot for his 14th homer and the 350th of his illustrious career. Nick Castellanos, Bryson Stott, and J.T. Realmuto also contributed solo homers to build a seemingly insurmountable advantage.

Boston, however, was not to be denied. The Red Sox began their comeback in the fifth inning, sparked by Romy Gonzalez who ended a 0-for-20 slump with a grand slam to left-center field, electrifying the crowd and shifting the momentum. This big swing ignited a groundswell of scoring, as Boston tallied six runs that inning. Manager Alex Cora praised the pivotal moment: “Romy’s grand slam was the spark we needed to turn things around. It gave us belief and energy.”

Jesús Luzardo, Boston’s starter, held strong through much of the game, allowing no hits until a leadoff double to Masataka Yoshida in the fifth inning. His steady presence kept the Red Sox within striking distance despite early Phillies offensive fireworks.

The drama stretched into the late innings, with J.T. Realmuto launching a solo homer in the eighth inning his first off a left-handed pitcher since September 2024 to tie the game and send it to extra innings. The Phillies also added RBI singles by Schwarber and Johan Rojas in extras to stay within reach.

Boston’s bullpen held firm in the later innings. Greg Weissert earned the win with crucial relief work, while Brennan Bernardino secured his first MLB save, shutting down Philly’s attempts to reclaim the lead.

The defining moment came in the 11th inning. Carlos Narváez, who had been twice called for catcher's interference earlier in the series, broke the stalemate with a clutch two-run homer off Seth Johnson. Narváez crushed a 97-mph fastball into the front row of the left-field stands, giving Boston a 9-7 lead. His homer lifted the Red Sox and sent the home crowd into a frenzy. Reflecting on his redemption, Narváez said, “After the catcher's interference calls, to come through with that homer meant everything. It was a complete team effort, and I’m just glad I helped get the win.”

The Phillies answered with a run but failed to overcome the deficit. Boston’s resilience and opportunistic hitting propelled them to the win, rallying from five runs down in one of the most thrilling games of the 2025 season so far.

This victory improved Boston’s record to 55-49, snapping a two-game losing streak and intensifying the AL Wild Card race. The Phillies, meanwhile, suffered a tough loss but continued to display formidable power numbers highlighted by their numerous homers in the contest.

Manager Alex Cora summed up the emotional win: “This game showed the heart and grit of our team. To battle back against a great team like Philadelphia and get the win in extra innings speaks volumes about where we are and where we’re headed.”