Morning Sports Update
“Is baseball great or what?”
Payton Tolle is a hugger: Red Sox starter Payton Tolle has already endeared himself to fans on a number of levels with both his emerging ability on the mound (he’s 8-6 with a 3.23 ERA in 2026), and his easy-going personality.
During his start against the Mariners at Fenway Park on Monday, an impromptu moment from Tolle won applause. When Mariners DH Dominic Canzone hit a ground ball that Tolle was able to field, the 6-foot-6, 250-pound pitcher jogged over to apply the tag in the first base line.
But instead of making the usual play, the 23-year-old opted for a friendly hug with Canzone in a moment that went viral around the baseball world.
“There’s the hug,” said NESN play-by-play announcer Dave O’Brien. Even the Mariners broadcast found the moment enjoyable.
“Is baseball great or what?” commented Mariners announcer Aaron Goldsmith.
Tolle was asked about the play after the game.
“It just kind of happened,” he explained while grinning. “I was right there in front of him, and I was like, ‘Bring it in for the big one.’”
Did he know Canzone beforehand?
“No,” joked Tolle. “We do now.”
And was Canzone surprised by the hug?
“I mean, probably for a second,” Tolle explained. “But then it’s like, ‘Yeah, this is just going to happen.’”
The hero of the night proved to be shortstop Trevor Story, who hit a walk-off for the Red Sox in the 10th inning in a 9-8 comeback win. When Story was queried about Tolle’s hug, he delivered another humorous response.
“The guy gives hugs all the time, so I’m not sure which one you’re talking about,” Story said. “But yeah, that was funny, man. Payton’s just a special person. He plays the game like a little kid, which I feel like we all should.”
Trivia: Payton Tolle has 147 strikeouts so far in the 2026 season. Only three Red Sox left-handed pitchers under the age of 24 (Tolle is 23) have recorded more strikeouts in a single season. One is Dutch Leonard (174 in 1914), and another is Ken Brett (155 in 1970), but can you name the third?
(Answer at the bottom).
Hint: He was born in Baltimore.
Scores and schedules:
The Red Sox won 9-8 on Monday on a 10th inning walk-off against the Mariners. The two teams play again at Fenway Park this evening at 6:45 p.m.
Also from Monday, Legacy FC lost to Angel City FC 5-2 at Gillette Stadium.
More from Boston.com:
Neemias Queta playing at the international level: The Celtics center led Portugal with 20 points, 11 rebounds, and four blocks, though Georgia prevailed in the end 98-90 in FIBA World Cup qualifying.
On this day: In 2007, Red Sox rookie Clay Buchholz threw a no-hitter in first start at Fenway Park in a 10-0 win over the Orioles. Buchholz struck out nine (including the final out) and allowed only three walks and a hit batsman.
Daily highlight: Colton Cowser made one of the catches of the season, and clinched a win for Baltimore over Colorado in the process.
Trivia answer: Babe Ruth
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