Seven years after guiding the Boston Red Sox to a World Series title, Alex Cora is still one of the best managers in baseball. He proved that during the Red Sox’s tense 5-4 extra-innings win over the Athletics at Fenway Park on Wednesday night — a game Boston absolutely had to have. With the Cleveland Guardians beating the Detroit Tigers 4-0 for their sixth straight win, the Red Sox needed to beat the A’s to maintain their 2.5-game lead for the third Wild Card spot. © Eric Canha-Imagn Images pic.twitter.com/KYnapgetpR — WEEI Red Sox Network (@SoxBooth) September 18, 2025With Giolito lasting just 4 1/3 innings, Cora shined with his bullpen management, using seven different relievers. The substitution paid off when Eaton raced home with the winning run on Nick Sogard’s (pinch-hitting for Ceddanne Rafaela) grounder to second base, giving the Red Sox a much-needed victory.