They say baseball is a game of inches, and Saturday’s game between the Red Sox and Padres illustrated this perfectly. Boston came into Game 2 with a lot of confidence after winning Game 1 by 10-2. But late in the game, things took a turn for the worse, leaving fans furious.
With Boston trailing 4-3 in the eighth inning, a speedy pinch-runner was sent in to steal a base and shift the momentum. It seemed like a great plan: the pinch-runner steals a base, the momentum changes, and Fenway fans can finally relax. Only… the repeat ruined the dream. The call was just too close to make. When the Padres challenged, the call changed: the runner’s hand came off the bag. Boston’s rally was cut short, and they eventually lost it by 5-4.
And that key play ignited the Red Sox’s notion to send that SS to DFA-ed. That player? David Hamilton, the utility dynamo. Primarily played as SS, came as DH in this game. He came in as a pinch-runner and tried to steal second base in the eighth inning. At first, the call was safe, but it was changed on video because, even though it looked like he beat the throw, his hand came off the bag when Xander Bogaerts tagged him.
FINAL (10): Padres 5, #RedSox 4
— Red Sox (@RedSox) August 10, 2025
This season has been a story of promise for Hamilton, but it has also been full of ups and downs. He is now batting only .174 with three home runs and twelve RBIs. He has had trouble finding his rhythm. After losing on Saturday, manager Alex Cora said matter-of-factly, not defensively: “We got to get it down first, get it down and advance a runner. That’s the job there. If we get them on base, that’s great. But the job is to get them to third base.”
Hamilton himself felt the burden of the defeat. He said, “It’s pretty frustrating. Just trying to help the team win. Feel like I didn’t do that tonight. It’s definitely frustrating.” He might have accepted his mistake, but the fans aren’t taking it for an answer. All they want the front office to do is act upon it, and DFA-ed him.
David Hamilton’s hand costs Red Sox’s dreams: DFA him immediately
After the setback, Red Sox fans took to social media to vent their disappointment right away. The first wave of criticism was all about Hamilton’s spot on the roster. “David Hamilton needs to be sent down immediately.” He was called on July 25 after Marcelo Mayer was hit in IL due to a wrist sprain. So, is it the correct time to send him back?
credits: MLB.COM
Looked like everyone had the same thought. Another comment read, “DFA Hamilton.” ‘DFA‘ isn’t just a word for a roster; it’s a clear cry for action. Will Alex Cora and the front office listen to this?
Sending Hamilton to the DFA is not the only thing they want. Another request, and it’s to change the manager. “The game was lost in the 5th inning with 4 walks, 2 with the bases loaded. I give the loss to Cora for not making a pitching change much earlier in the fifth.” In the bottom of the fifth, Red Sox starter Lucas Giolito lost control even though his team was ahead 3-2.
Fans have also seen the bigger pattern of problems in the late game. “Another extra innings loss….. shocker.” This season, the Red Sox stand at the top with 59 losses to lose the game in extra innings. Their offence struggles in clutch moments, and defensive errors, along with bullpen failures, have led to significant late-game losses.
Amid all the negatives, one fan was positive. “Just win tomorrow.” Fans might be irritated, but the hopes are still alive. The Red Sox will play the 3rd game against the Padres at Petco Park. Can the BoSox win it?
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