Boston Red Sox right-hander Sonny Gray didn't agree with manager Chad Tracy's decision to pull him in the fifth inning of an eventual 9-2 season-ending loss to the New York Yankees on Wednesday.
Gray had allowed one run on six hits over 4 2/3 innings while notching five strikeouts and sitting at 70 pitches when Tracy removed the veteran starter with runners on the corners and Cody Bellinger coming to the plate.
Left-handed reliever Erik Miller replaced Gray and immediately surrendered an RBI single to put the Red Sox down 2-0.
"I would have liked to have been trusted in that moment," Gray told reporters following the game.
Gray was one of the best starters in the majors during the regular season, posting a 2.72 ERA and AL-leading 18 wins across 169 innings.
"I think I'm the best pitcher in the American League going through the order the third time - I think that's a fact," Gray said. "I would have liked to live or die with me in that moment, but that's the competitor in me.
"You can probably ask the guys and they felt the same way. I felt strong, I felt confident, I felt convicted. But what can you do, you know?"
Willson Contreras just heavily insinuated there is too much data being used in the Red Sox organization. Asked if Red Sox pulled Sonny Gray too early, he twice did the “lips sealed” motion.
— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) October 1, 2026
Gray added that he had not talked to Tracy about the decision, and wasn't sure if it was a conversation he would be interested in having.
It was a second straight game in which Tracy removed his starting pitcher early despite a strong performance. Payton Tolle allowed one run on 83 pitches across 4 2/3 innings in Game 1. Tolle departed a 1-0 game and was replaced by Miller, who immediately gave up a home run. The Red Sox went on to lose 9-0.
The 36-year-old Gray has a $30-million mutual option for next season, though he's said he's undecided if he will retire.
When asked Wednesday if he would consider re-signing with Boston, he said he didn't know.
