Red Sox Claim Series Win Behind Payton Tolle’s Historic Performance
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Payton Tolle gave the Boston Red Sox a historic start. Roman Anthony and Trevor Story made sure it resulted in an important victory.
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Tolle opened Sunday’s game with an immaculate inning and delivered six scoreless frames as the Red Sox defeated the Kansas City Royals, 4-1, at Fenway Park. Anthony broke a 1-1 tie with a two-out single in the seventh inning before Story added a two-run single in the eighth. Boston won the final two games of the three-game series and improved to 82-68.
The Red Sox also moved back above .500 at Fenway Park with a 38-37 home record.
Payton Tolle Makes Red Sox History
Tolle immediately made it clear that Kansas City’s hitters were in for a difficult afternoon. The 23-year-old struck out Nick Loftin, Bobby Witt Jr. and Jac Caglianone on nine consecutive strikes in the top of the first inning. Loftin went down looking before Witt and Caglianone struck out swinging.
That's another series W!
— Red Sox (@RedSox) September 14, 2026
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Tolle became the first Red Sox pitcher to begin a game with an immaculate inning since Pedro Martinez accomplished the feat on May 18, 2002. Kansas City managed four singles and one walk against Tolle. The Royals placed runners at first and second with nobody out in the sixth, but Tolle retired Salvador Perez on a fly ball before striking out Michael Massey and MJ Melendez to escape the threat.
Tolle completed six scoreless innings with seven strikeouts. He has now allowed only one run while striking out 19 batters across his last two starts.
Roman Anthony Breaks Seventh-Inning Tie
Caleb Durbin supplied Boston’s only early offense when he crushed Noah Cameron’s first pitch of the second inning 372 feet into the seats above the Green Monster. That lead held until the seventh.
Erik Miller walked the first two batters he faced before Kansas City loaded the bases with one out. Carter Jensen then lined an RBI single inside the first-base line against Garrett Whitlock, tying the game at 1-1. Whitlock prevented further damage by striking out Witt and retiring Vinnie Pasquantino on a fly ball.
Boston answered immediately.
Former Red Sox closer Craig Kimbrel walked Durbin and Nick Sogard with one out in the bottom of the seventh. Durbin also stole second, putting the go-ahead run in scoring position.
Connor Thomas replaced Kimbrel and struck out Andruw Monasterio, but Anthony lined an opposite-field single into left to score Durbin. Sogard advanced to third before Jahmai Jones struck out to end the inning.
Whitlock was credited with the victory, improving to 7-1.
MORE: Red Sox’s Payton Tolle Makes History With Immaculate Inning
Trevor Story Gives Boston Breathing Room
The Red Sox added two valuable insurance runs in the eighth. Willson Contreras singled with two outs before Adley Rutschman doubled to left, placing two runners in scoring position. Story followed with a two-run single against Nate Pearson, extending Boston’s advantage to 4-1.
Aroldis Chapman made the ninth more interesting than Boston would have preferred. Chapman walked the first two hitters he faced, bringing the potential tying run to the plate with nobody out. The veteran closer responded by striking out Tyler Tolbert, Jensen and Witt in succession.
Chapman recorded his 34th save of the season and the 401st of his career.
Boston will have Monday off before opening a three-game road series against the Texas Rangers on Tuesday. Patrick Sandoval is scheduled to start the opener.