Sonny Gray used the disappointment of an All-Star snub to power the Boston Red Sox to an 8-1 victory over the Los Angeles Angels, pitching six strong innings while targeting added momentum and hoping for more selections after the rosters were set.
ANAHEIM, Calif. — When the All-Star rosters were announced Saturday, Sonny Gray didn’t just miss out. He felt it.
The Boston Red Sox right-hander had been named to none of the American League teams, and only two teammates made the cut: fellow starter Ranger Suarez and closer Aroldis Chapman. Gray said he was “disappointed” and “a little bummed,” even as he was happy for Suarez and Chapman.
He didn’t dwell on it for long. In a Saturday night game against the Los Angeles Angels, Gray turned that sting into a statement: he allowed a run and four hits over six innings, struck out seven, and walked two as Boston won 8-1.
At 36 years old, Gray improved to 10-1 with a 2.61 ERA, which ranks as the second-best mark in the American League. The performance fit a recent surge as well. He has delivered six straight quality starts since May 30, going 5-0 with a 1.97 ERA during that stretch.
Gray’s form has been part of the Red Sox storyline, even beyond this game. In his previous start, he carried a no-hitter into the eighth inning against the New York Yankees on Sunday. That 5-4 win featured a 7 1/3 inning, one-hit, nine-strikeout, 97-pitch outing.
Even with his own disappointment fresh. Gray’s reaction to the roster announcement carried the honesty of a teammate who understands the stakes of individual recognition in a season shaped by momentum. “I was disappointed, a little bummed, for sure,” he said. “I’m just being honest, you know?. I’m happy for Ranger, and I’m happy for Chappy, for sure. They’re very well-deserving. But a little selfishly, yeah, I was disappointed.”.
Interim manager Chad Tracy believes Gray’s All-Star story might not be finished. Tracy pointed to the way pitchers can move in and out of the roster when late changes happen.
“When the All-Star Game happens, there’s so much roster fluctuation — it happens every year with pitchers who can’t go, people are hurt, people back out,” Tracy said. “Things happen, so I’m still holding out hope for a couple more guys on the team who I feel are deserving.”
Right now, Gray is doing the one thing that can’t be argued with: showing up on the mound, turning frustration into results, and leaving a case that’s getting harder to ignore every time the innings pile up.
Sonny Gray Boston Red Sox Los Angeles Angels All-Star snub Ranger Suarez Aroldis Chapman Chad Tracy MLB