Most thought the game would be over when Nationals slugger Juan Soto came to the plate in the bottom of the eighth inning Saturday afternoon with the bases loaded and one out, facing Red Sox reliever Austin Davis.
But, Soto only salvaged a sacrifice fly, and Brasier retired Josh Bell on an inning-ending soft lineout to shortstop Xander Bogaerts.
The chance came after Boston and Rafael Devers failed to cash in on their own bases-loaded chance the half-inning before, and Adam Ottavino loaded the bases after a double and a pair of walks.
The Sox’s bats then came alive in the ninth, as Christian Vazquez tripled home J.D. Martinez before Travis Shaw singled home Vazquez. Kiké Hernandez proceeded to put it out of reach as he socked a two-run homer over the left-center field wall to make it a four-run affair.
Washington made it interesting in the bottom of the ninth, as Andrew Stevenson’s two-run homer off Hansel Robles made it 5-3. But that would be all, as the Sox move to 91-70 on the season.
Rafael Devers puts Sox on the board
Rafael Devers had Boston’s only run for the first eight innings, as he clobbered a solo big fly in the fourth.
Tanner Houck’s masterpiece
Tanner Houck went five perfect innings, striking out eight in the biggest start of his career.
Ryan Brasier’s clutch strikeout
After successfully retiring the first two Nats hitters in the seventh, Ryan Brasier wouldn’t see the same success for the next three hitters. Josh Bell singled, before Keibert Ruiz walked — Andrew Stevenson’s single loaded the bases.
But, on a payoff pitch, Brasier struck out Jordy Mercer to retire the side — the righty pounded his chest in one of the biggest outings of his career.
AL Wild Card race
Jeff Passan’s ridicoulosly long thread pretty much sums it all up.
🚨 CURRENT AL WILD CARD STANDINGS 🚨
New York 91-70
Boston 91-70
Seattle 90-71
Toronto 90-71CHAOS LEVEL 🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯/5
The Yankees and Red Sox control their own destiny. If they win Sunday, they will face one another in the AL wild card game. If not, all hell could break loose.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) October 3, 2021
CURRENT POSSIBILITIES (YES, THIS ALL COULD HAPPEN)
Four-way tie: Boston, Toronto, New York, Seattle
Three-way tie 1: Boston, Seattle, Toronto
Three-way tie 2: Boston, New York, Seattle
Three-way tie 3: Boston, Toronto, New York
Three-way tie 4: Toronto, New York, Seattle
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) October 3, 2021
If the Red Sox and Yankees lose Sunday and the Blue Jays and Mariners win, it would be a four-way tie. Red Sox and Blue Jays would choose to be Team A and Team C and play home games. Yankees get their choice of opponent. Seattle faces the other. Winners advance to wild card game.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) October 3, 2021
In case of the three-way ties for the second wild card, each chooses to be Teams A, B or C — in the order listed in the above tweet. Team A hosts Team B in Game 163, Team C goes on the road to face the winner in Game 164.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) October 3, 2021
The top seed is expected to choose to be Team C because it would have to win only one game as opposed to two. Now, there’s a possibility that it doesn’t want to travel — especially if Seattle is involved — and picks Team A so it can host. But if not, here’s how it would look …
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) October 3, 2021
Three-way tie 1: TOR @ SEA in Game 163, BOS @ 163 winner in Game 164
Three-way tie 2: SEA @ NYY in Game 163, BOS @ 163 winner in Game 164
Three-way tie 3: NYY @ TOR in Game 163, BOS @ 163 winner in Game 164
Three-way tie 4: SEA @ NYY in Game 163, TOR @ 163 winner in Game 164
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) October 3, 2021
If there is a three-way tie for two wild cards, it’s a different calculus. The three teams choose to be Teams A, B and C. Team A hosts Team B in Game 163. Winner gets first wild card. Loser then travels to Team C for Game 164. Winner gets second wild card. (Order same as above.)
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) October 3, 2021
Three-way tie 1: SEA @ BOS in Game 163, 163 loser @ TOR in Game 164
Three-way tie 2: NYY @ BOS in Game 163, 163 loser @ SEA in Game 164
Three-way tie 3: TOR @ BOS in Game 163, 163 loser @ NYY in Game 164
Three-way tie 4: NYY @ TOR in Game 163, 163 loser @ SEA in Game 164
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) October 3, 2021
(Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images)