Caleb Durbin plays hero for Red Sox in 13-inning thriller

Boston Red Sox third baseman Caleb Durbin. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Caleb Durbin plays hero for Red Sox in 13-inning thriller

By Andrew Wright | Last updated Aug 7, 2026 12:05 AM ET

The Chicago White Sox and Boston Red Sox teamed up to play one of the most entertaining and longest games of the 2026 MLB season.

In a game that lasted four hours and 23 minutes, it was Boston that came ultimately came away with a 12-11 win in 13 innings.

How it got to the 13th

In what was a back-and-forth contest throughout the evening, Chicago led 7-6 headed to the bottom of the ninth inning, but an RBI single from Red Sox outfielder Wilyer Abreu tied the game and forced extra innings.

Once those extra innings began, each team scored at least one run in each of the 10th, 11th and 12th innings, further prolonging the game into the 13th.

Wilyer Abreu comes up CLUTCH

Down to their last strike, the @RedSox tie it! pic.twitter.com/uKtN0ZF13R
— MLB (@MLB) August 7, 2026

Caleb Durbin plays hero

Finally, in the bottom of the 13th, Boston prevailed with a walk-off single from third baseman Caleb Durbin to give his team a 12-11 win.

The win for the Red Sox was their eighth straight and their 26th in their last 29 games.

Additionally, the 13-inning game is tied for the longest in the majors this season.

RED SOX WIN IT ‼️

Caleb Durbin sends Fenway into a frenzy! pic.twitter.com/iNjXS5255M
— MLB (@MLB) August 7, 2026

Are the Red Sox the best team in the American League?

Despite being third in the AL East, it is extremely hard to deny Boston being the best team in the American League with the recent stretch it has been on.

The Red Sox have won eight straight games and 17 of 20 games since the All-Star Break. They have gone from a season-worst 14 games under .500 to 12 games above .500 and now hold the seventh-best record in baseball at 63-51.

The Red Sox overcame five deficits to walk off the White Sox in 13 innings tonight. They swept the series and have won eight in a row. Since June 25, they're 31-5. Every other team is at least seven games behind.
— Alden González (@Alden_Gonzalez) August 7, 2026

Boston is on the doorstep of a home playoff series

After their thrilling win on Thursday, the Red Sox now trail the New York Yankees by just a half-game for the first AL wild-card spot.

It's worth noting that the first wild-card team is the No. 4 seed and will get to host the first-round wild-card games at its home ballpark.

Boston is right on the doorstep of that, and Fenway Park would be a madhouse should its team accomplish that goal and bring postseason baseball back.

Andrew Wright

Andrew "Dew" Wright graduated from Charleston Southern University with a degree in Communication Studies. He is a lifelong Chicago Cubs and Washington Commanders fan.

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