Boston Red Sox right-hander Sonny Gray came within six outs of making history on Sunday, carrying a no-hitter into the eighth inning before Amed Rosario lined a single to center field to end the bid. Even without the no-hit finish, Gray delivered one of the finest performances of his season, overpowering the New York Yankees as Boston completed a four-game sweep.
Gray admitted after the game that he became aware of the no-hitter earlier than many pitchers are willing to acknowledge. Rather than pretending the thought never crossed his mind, the three-time All-Star explained that he noticed the possibility around the fourth inning.
Gray Stayed Locked In Despite the No-Hit Bid
“I knew after like four innings,” Gray told reporters. “I was like, ‘Oh, I haven’t given up a hit.’ And then after five. But I never got preoccupied by it. I solely was just so focused on executing every pitch that I threw. I know it sounds super cliché and whatever, but I was solely just like, ‘Execute this pitch, now execute this pitch, now execute this pitch’ throughout the whole time.”
That approach showed throughout the afternoon. Gray consistently stayed ahead of hitters, mixed his pitches effectively, and rarely gave the Yankees an opportunity to generate solid contact. By the time Rosario finally reached safely with a clean single in the eighth, Gray had already authored a dominant outing that left little doubt about who controlled the game.
Historic Red Sox Performance Earns High Praise
Interim manager Chad Tracy praised every part of Gray’s performance after the victory. “He was brilliant,” Tracy said. “He had command, was throwing strikes, was head in the count, sweepers, breaking balls and they all looked good. The guy was really good; he really was. So I legitimately thought he was going to do it.”
The numbers backed up that assessment. Gray struck out nine batters, walked just one, and threw 64 strikes among his 97 pitches. His efficiency allowed him to work deep into the game while keeping constant pressure on New York’s lineup.
The outing also carried historical significance beyond the near no-hitter. Gray became the first pitcher in the modern era, dating back to 1900, to record his 2,000th career strikeout and reach 2,000 career innings pitched in the same game. It was another milestone in a career marked by sustained success across multiple organizations.
Trade Deadline Value Continues to Rise
As impressive as the performance was, it also added another layer to Gray’s trade value. With the Aug. 3 trade deadline approaching, the veteran has positioned himself as one of the more attractive starting pitchers potentially available. His contract includes a no-trade clause, giving him significant influence over where he could finish the season if Boston decides to move him.
Several clubs looking to strengthen their rotations may be interested. Teams such as the Atlanta Braves, Chicago White Sox, or Gray’s former club, the St. Louis Cardinals, could benefit from adding an experienced starter capable of pitching meaningful innings down the stretch.
Since returning from the injured list on May 6 after recovering from a hamstring injury, Gray has been one of baseball’s most effective pitchers. He went 4-0 with a 2.00 ERA over 27 innings in five May starts before following that with a 3-0 record and a 2.14 ERA across 33.2 innings in June. Those results have steadily increased both his value and the potential return Boston could receive in a trade.
Ultimately, however, any deal will require Gray’s approval. His continued excellence gives the Red Sox leverage, but his no-trade protection means he will play a major role in determining whether a move happens and, if it does, where he takes the mound next.
