Alex Cora offered a blunt reaction to Red Sox miscues after loss vs. Reds

The Red Sox are 43-45 heading into the July 4 series against the Nationals.

Alex Cora during a Red Sox-Reds game on July 2. Danielle Parhizkaran/Globe Staff

July 3, 2025

3 minutes to read

Alex Cora weighed in on Red Sox’ struggles: After resuming Tuesday’s weather-suspended game on Wednesday and securing a 5-3 win, the Red Sox were on the brink of completing a timely three-game sweep of the Reds at Fenway Park later in the evening.

But after taking a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the sixth, Boston promptly squandered the opportunity partly thanks to defensive miscues, and base-running mistakes. The game ended with a disappointing 8-4 loss vs. Cincinnati, meaning that instead of finishing the run of home games 4-2, it was an inconclusive 3-3.

After the game, Red Sox manager Alex Cora put the defeat in context of the 2025 season, with his team currently 43-45 (six games behind the Blue Jays and Yankees, currently tied for first place in the A.L. East).

“If you look back at the season, there’s been a lot of those that have slipped through our hands,” Cora told reporters. “Honestly, we’re in the position we are because of that.”

The “slipped through our hands” line was — at times — a literal reference to the defensive struggles. Third baseman Abraham Toro committed a fielding error in the top of the seventh inning, setting the stage for Christian Encarnacion-Strand eventual grand slam to give the Reds the lead.

In the bottom of the same inning, first baseman Romy Gonzalez ran into an out at third base (even as he represented what would’ve been the tying run). More defensive mistakes followed in the eighth inning, including a bizarre play in which three Red Sox infielders threw the ball but recorded no outs (with two runs scoring).

It was the type of frustrating moment — producing no results — that has epitomized the level of underachievement that has defined the team through several months of the season. Despite being seen as potential division favorites prior to the start of the season, Cora’s team itself in fourth place.

“A three-run lead in the seventh, we expect to win those games,” he said of the defeat.

Scores and schedules:

The Red Sox won the resumed game against the Reds on Wednesday (following a thunderstorm driven suspension of Tuesday’s game) 5-3, but lost the regularly scheduled night game against Cincinnati, 8-4.

Tomorrow, the Red Sox will be on the road to begin a three-game series against the Nationals at 11:05 a.m.

More from Boston.com:

U.S. advances to the final: The U.S. men’s team defeated Guatemala 2-1 in the semifinal of the Gold Cup on Wednesday thanks to a pair of goals from Diego Luna. Mexico awaits in the final on Sunday at 7 p.m.

An interview with Sam Kennedy: NESN spoke with Red Sox president Sam Kennedy about the state of the team following the Rafael Devers trade.

On this day: In 1943, Red Sox rookie Leon Culberson hit for the cycle in order, culminating with an inside-the-park home run in a 12-4 win over Cleveland.

Daily highlight: Olger Escobar, born in Lynn, Massachusetts, scored for Guatemala against the United States in Wednesday’s 2-1 semifinal loss. Escobar was the Revolution’s 2022-23 Academy Player of the Year, and is now with CF Montréal after a trade in April.