Red Sox Miscue Highlights Early-Season Struggles

Defensive blunder by Story and Mayer sums up Boston's poor start to 2026 campaign

Apr. 8, 2026 at 1:48am

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A fractured, geometric painting depicting the chaotic movements of a baseball double play, with sharp planes of color and overlapping shapes conveying the disjointed nature of the Red Sox' defensive struggles.A cubist interpretation of the Red Sox' defensive miscue captures the team's early-season dysfunction.Boston Today

Despite clinching a playoff berth in 2025, the Boston Red Sox have struggled mightily to start the 2026 season, entering Tuesday's game against the Milwaukee Brewers with an MLB-worst 2-8 record. Fans have grown increasingly frustrated, with 'sell the team' chants echoing through Fenway Park. A defensive miscue between veteran shortstop Trevor Story and rookie second baseman Marcelo Mayer in the fourth inning of Monday's game perfectly encapsulated the team's early-season woes, though they ultimately hung on for a 3-2 win.

Why it matters

The Red Sox' poor start has reignited long-simmering frustrations among the team's passionate fanbase, who have endured multiple last-place finishes and controversial front office decisions in recent years. The defensive gaffe between Story and Mayer highlights the team's need to improve its communication and fundamental play if it hopes to regain the trust of its supporters and build on last year's playoff appearance.

The details

In the fourth inning of Monday's game, Story and Mayer failed to communicate on a ground ball, leading to an error that further compounded Boston's early-season struggles. The miscue came amid a broader pattern of sloppy defense, as the Red Sox have committed 12 errors in just 11 games. However, the team was able to rebound, with Story driving in two runs with a double in the sixth inning to help secure a 3-2 victory.

  • The Red Sox entered Tuesday's game against the Brewers with a 2-8 record, the worst in Major League Baseball.
  • Fans have been voicing their frustration with 'sell the team' chants at Fenway Park during the early part of the season.
  • The defensive gaffe between Story and Mayer occurred in the fourth inning of Monday's game against the Brewers.

The players

Trevor Story

A veteran shortstop for the Boston Red Sox who was charged with an error in the fourth inning due to a miscommunication with his teammate.

Marcelo Mayer

A rookie second baseman for the Boston Red Sox who was also involved in the defensive miscue in the fourth inning.

Alex Cora

The manager of the Boston Red Sox, whose coaching style has come under scrutiny amid the team's poor start to the season.

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What they’re saying

“What should have been a surefire double play instead became a fitting illustration of the club's season to this point.”

— Lucas Parmenter

What’s next

The Red Sox will try to earn their first series victory of the year when they face the Brewers (8-3) on Wednesday afternoon.

The takeaway

The Red Sox' early-season struggles, highlighted by the defensive miscue between Story and Mayer, have reignited long-standing frustrations among the team's fanbase. If Boston hopes to build on last year's playoff appearance, it will need to improve its communication, fundamental play, and overall team identity to regain the trust of its supporters.