Red Sox overcome delayed flight to beat Mets 6-2
Boston arrived in New York after a series of charter-plane problems that pushed the game’s start to 7:50 p.m., but still secured a 6-2 win over the Mets.
Boston’s travel problems delayed the start of Friday night’s game at Citi Field until 7:50 p.m. After spending the night in Chicago because of a mechanical issue, the team’s chartered Delta flight suffered a second problem—a cockpit light-bulb failure—that kept them on the ground for several more hours. The Red Sox finally landed at LaGuardia around 4:30 p.m. and rushed to the ballpark, arriving just after 5 p.m.
Despite the disrupted schedule, Boston defeated the New York Mets 6-2, extending its winning streak to seven games and moving within 1½ games of the third American League wild-card spot. Starter Sonny Gray allowed one run over six innings, while Anthony Seigler and Wilyer Abreu each hit home runs.
“I think for everybody it was just like everyone using a little piece of everyone,” Gray said, noting the team’s shared experience from the travel delays to the game.
Interim manager Chad Tracy praised the travel staff’s quick rebooking of hotel rooms after the team was forced to leave Chicago late at night. Center fielder Ceddanne Rafaela, named an All-Star replacement earlier that day, expressed excitement about the honor.
“It’s some adversity for us,” Rafaela said, adding that the team needed to stay focused on its momentum.
The incident highlighted the logistical challenges of chartered flights, which many MLB clubs use, and underscored the Red Sox’s ability to perform despite a taxing travel day.