July 29, 2025: Jordan Hicks, a reliever for the Boston Red Sox, was in a bases-loaded, no-out jam with the game on the line for the second time in a week on Monday night. And for the second time, the Red Sox lost in heartbreaking fashion, this time to the Minnesota Twins, who came back to win 5-4 at Target Field.
Hicks was preparing to throw when a 90-minute rain delay hit in the bottom of the ninth inning, giving him a one-run lead. After the long break, Red Sox manager Alex Cora didn’t have many options except to go with Hicks. Closer Aroldis Chapman was out because of back spasms, Justin Wilson was resting, and Garrett Whitlock was sick.
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Hicks wasn’t sharp after warming up, waiting for the delay, and then warming up again, which isn’t surprising. He let up a single to start the inning, then hit two batters in a row to load the bases. Carlos Correa of the Twins hit a chopper to third baseman Alex Bregman, who quickly threw it home to get the force out at the plate. But Brooks Lee hit a line shot to left field, knocking in two runs and giving the Minnesota Twins a stunning 5–4 walk-off triumph.
Cora said that things were hard for Hicks. Cora remarked, “To get hot [warmed up] before the rain delay…it was [Hicks] right there…not easy.” “That was painful because he got hot, and then you had to wait all that time. It was him. It’s not easy to do. “His best efforts didn’t work out.”
Hicks agreed with his boss, saying, “I got really hot, felt great to go, and then they pulled the tarp, sat for an hour, and got hot again.” I didn’t have my legs; I just didn’t know what the zone was. That’s what it is.” He said, “I’ve never really been in a situation like that.” I came in the next day (on a suspended game) and finished one, three outs. That was the first time for me. You just have to learn from it.
Hicks said he was “pissed off” when he saw that the delay was going to happen. “I was quite confident I heard that the game was probably going to get hammered a few times. It didn’t get hit. Strange hold-up. That’s just how it is. I didn’t finish the job, and I feel like I let the team down, but I know they’re going to fight tomorrow.
This tough game comes after a similar one in Philadelphia a week ago, when Hicks similarly loaded the bases in the 10th inning. The game ended with a call for interference by the catcher.