Red Sox reactions: Sonny Gray helps Boston blank Tigers, finish off first sweep of 2026

DETROIT — Instant reactions as the Red Sox (16-21) blank the Tigers, 4-0, in Sonny Gray’s return to the mound and finish off a three-game sweep at Comerica Park: 1) Credit goes to the Red Sox, who played their best series of the young season against a talented — albeit underperforming — Tigers club. For the first time in 2026, the Red Sox swept someone. It came over three days that included timely hitting, very strong pitching performances, sturdy defense...

and the Tigers often serving as their own worst enemies. The Red Sox head home for a key homestand at 16-21, back to five games under . 500.

Under Chad Tracy, they’re 6-4. 2) Gray returned from his 15-day injured list stint in a somewhat limited fashion , giving the Red Sox five shutout innings before leaving the game. With the bullpen rested after long outings from Payton Tolle and Brayan Bello at the start of the series, it’s clear Gray was on a pitch count and he left after 70 pitches.

Gray allowed four hits and walked two batters while striking out two. It was a tidy night of work for him in which he stranded five Tigers runners. 3) The Red Sox’ offense didn’t have as much going as it did in the first two games of the series but hitters put the ball in play, and that was enough to capitalize on some horrendous Tigers defense.