Yankees Fans Accuse Red Sox Pitcher Sonny Gray of Cheating Amid Playoff Loss
Allegations of illegal substance use surface on social media during the Wild Card Series game.
A fierce rivalry between the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox intensified on Wednesday night with allegations of cheating directed at Red Sox pitcher Sonny Gray during Game 2 of their Wild Card Series matchup. The Yankees ultimately secured their spot in the American League Divisional Series with a 9-1 victory.
Fans watching the game in the Bronx took to social media, accusing Gray of using illegal sticky substances to enhance his grip and pitching performance. Numerous clips from the broadcast were shared, appearing to show Gray repeatedly touching the side and back of his neck. Observers pointed to a dark discoloration on his neck as evidence of an illegal substance, such as Spider Tack or pine tar, which is prohibited in Major League Baseball.
The umpires did not appear to flag any issues with Gray's performance during the game. However, the accusations gained traction among Yankees fans, fueling the long-standing rivalry. One social media account questioned the visibility of Gray's alleged actions, stating, "Sonny Gray went to his neck on live national television 31 times. How can this be allowed and not mentioned?"
Another user commented, "It's almost insulting how open and notorious Sonny Gray was with all the sticky stuff all over his neck tonight, does he think we're all blind? It's literally on the big screen in high def." Other fans chimed in with similar claims, alleging that Gray touched his neck immediately after asking for a new ball, and that "Red Sox cheating again."
Gray, who had an 18-win season, pitched effectively, keeping the Red Sox within striking distance. Boston trailed 1-0 in the fifth inning when he allowed a single, prompting manager Chad Tracy to remove him from the game after 70 pitches. The decision to bring in a reliever to face Cody Bellinger proved costly, as Bellinger hit an RBI single.
The Yankees then extended their lead in the sixth inning. After an initial strikeout, relief pitcher Garrett Crochet struggled, failing to record an out. The inning culminated in a three-run homer by Bellinger off right-hander Garrett Whitlock, pushing the score to 8-1 and effectively sealing the victory for the Yankees.
This marks the second consecutive season the Red Sox have been eliminated from the postseason by their rivals, the Yankees, who completed a two-game sweep of the Wild Card Series. The Red Sox were outscored 18-2 over the two games, concluding a turbulent season on a disheartening note.