Red Sox veteran has interesting response over Fenway struggles

Fenway Park has been a house of horrors so far for the 2026 Red Sox.

Following Tuesday’s 4-2 loss to the Orioles, the Red Sox are just 9-20 in their own ballpark this year, with Boston standing as the only team in baseball that has yet to reach double-digit wins at home in 2026.

Boston has seemingly struggled even more as this season has gone on. Since the start of May, Boston has dropped 12 of its last 16 games at Fenway — including nine defeats in its last 11 outings.​

For all of the Red Sox’ woes this year, they’ve actually been a solid club on the road — sporting a record of 16-14.

Speaking after Tuesday’s loss, Red Sox infielder Isiah Kiner-Falefa had an interesting remark when asked about the reasoning for Boston’s issues at home — and stronger play away from Fenway.

“I just feel like on the road we’re a very close-knit team,” Kiner-Falefa said. “We come home and there’s just a lot of people. It’s different. It’s just a different vibe at home. We’ve got to figure out a way to make it small like how it is on the road.

“I just feel like at home we see a lot of people we don’t know … that are around this area. When we’re on the road, it’s a close-knit group and we’re becoming a really close team. Yeah, we gotta find a way to bring that back home.”

It’s an odd comment for Kiner-Falefa regarding whatever is plaguing Boston at home — be it increased media presence, more distractions at home, pressure from fans, or other factors.

Whatever the cause may be, the Red Sox have to find a way to wake up their dormant offense in — ironically — one of the best hitters’ parks in the league. ​

Boston has scored two runs or fewer in 15 of their 29 games at Fenway Park this season, and are averaging just 3.2 runs per game at home. On the road, Boston is averaging 4.7 runs per game.

“It’s like the normal way at Fenway thing,” Kiner-Falefa said postgame, per MassLive’s Sean McAdam. “Sick of it. Gotta figure out a way to gain some momentum here — score early, get the fans on our side early, get the environment (going) early. It’s hard to get the place jumping when you’re not out in front early.​

“We just have to do a better job scoring first at home and trying to get the crowd into it and get some momentum on our side. It’s not good enough.”

 

Conor Ryan is a staff writer covering the Bruins, Celtics, Patriots, and Red Sox for Boston.com, a role he has held since 2023.