The Red Sox defeated the Tigers 5-4, highlighted by a strong performance from pitcher Payton Tolle. The game featured a rain delay and reflections on the late announcer John Sterling's impact on baseball broadcasting.
Key points
Red Sox won 5-4 against the Tigers
Payton Tolle pitched effectively
Game delayed by 28 minutes due to rain
Reflections on John Sterling's broadcasting legacy
Jarren Duran hit a key home run
Mentioned in this story
John Sterling
Red SoxTigers
May 4, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Boston Red Sox pitcher Payton Tolle (70) pitches in the second inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images | Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
May 4, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Boston Red Sox pitcher Payton Tolle (70) pitches in the second inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images | Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
The Red Sox won 5-4 on Monday night after two-time reigning Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal was scratched for surgery (boo), the game time was moved up to 6:10 (yay?) and the Justin Bieber to all of my Detroit friend fans (a sizeable faction, randomly), Kevin McGonigle did not play. So things were going well and all but I still cannot not think of the Simpsons at every turn when I hear that dudeâs name. And so:
Iâm working through it.
Anyhow, back to our sense of hope. This goes a coupla directions for me tonight. One, Peyton Tolle was so good that the opposing teamâs announcers were in awe. Heâs a dude. Relatedly, two, I listened to the home teamâs announcers. Thatâs Jason Benettiâs crew. This is like winning the lottery on a night like tonight, for reasons explained below. It was like a revival, or like living in an alternate universe. The joy for the game exploded off the screen, and the fact that the game lived to the environment to them is a testament to how good baseball can be. Which is much easier to say because the Sox won. But they did. Which means overthinking things feels good.
Iâm not gonna tick-tock what happened in this space any more because you can get that anywhere else. Here is what it felt like: Very fucking cool! A potentially dangerous thunderstorm was bearing down so they started early to avoid it and neither avoided it nor were in danger. Itâs weather, so themâs the breaks. And while Skubes was out, Tolle wasnât, and he was so good that Benetti and co â *the opposing announcers* â were or just sounded believably in awe. Maybe theyâre just good at it, or maybe you just realize how effective the âmaybe itâs Maybellineâ ads were, or maybe they were telling the truth.
The game was scoreless until the Tigers got 2 runs in the bottom of the 6th, which visibly bothered Tolle, who was neither at fault nor ultimately had anything to for which to apologize anyway. In the top of the 7th the Sox plated 5 runs, 3 of them on a home run by , apparently unshaken by being traded twice in my dynasty league in 2 hours, the first time from me. He really can hit it when heâs right tho. Masa and Wilmer also came up big. The Tigers cut it to 5-4 but that was as close as they got.
To me, that wasnât the story. The game was delayed 28 minutes by rain, and I got to watch the Benetti feed. They fielded questions like favorite board game, food, etc, so I just happened to be watching as all this happened, below. Itâs lovely. You can enjoy it as well:
Maybe I wouldnât care if this wasnât on the night John Sterling, the â singularly bombastic passed away, probably the last true *performer* in the booth, literally by decades. But as everything got corporatized (derogatory) he became corporatized (complimentary.) When I told Yankees fans, like the most dyed-in-the-w0ol types, that I said he seemed happiest reading ads they all agreed. A friend who loved him more than about anyone texted today that âHis hearse will be drivenâŠby jeep,â and I think heâd have loved that.
Heâd been a welcome anachronism and eventually wiped away all traces of cynicism for anyone without hate in their hearts and finished the indoctrination. Yes, it took time: Iâve had him for more than 25 years on local radio and all I can tell you sisters and brothers he is ultimately more fun to laugh both at and with than hate. He loved something about baseball, and pomp, and the use of time. Benetti understands it better than anyone right now, and that he does it in a way thatâs 180 degrees away from Sterling is why we love this sport. It takes all kinds. The only common thread is how much we know they love it. We know when itâs real.
Q&A
What was the final score of the Red Sox vs Tigers game on May 4, 2026?
The Red Sox won the game against the Tigers with a final score of 5-4.
Who was the standout pitcher for the Red Sox in their win against the Tigers?
Payton Tolle was the standout pitcher for the Red Sox, delivering an impressive performance.
What caused the delay in the Red Sox vs Tigers game on May 4, 2026?
The game experienced a 28-minute delay due to rain.
What reflections were made about John Sterling after his passing?
John Sterling was remembered as a unique and beloved figure in baseball broadcasting, known for his entertaining style.
