Long travel, quick start: Red Sox sweep late arrival into Citi Field
CITY OF NEW YORK — The Boston Red Sox arrived at Citi Field on Friday after what MLB.com described as an almost 24-hour travel ordeal and handed the New York Mets a 6-2 loss in a game that began nearly two hours late.
Boston had completed a three-game sweep of the Chicago White Sox the previous day, then encountered mechanical problems that delayed their flight to New York. The team first returned to a Chicago hotel around 2 a.m. and attempted to fly again the next morning, only to face another mechanical issue that pushed their arrival back to the afternoon. The game, originally scheduled for 7:15 p.m. ET, was delayed until 7:50 p.m. ET.
How the late arrival played out on the field
Despite the long trip and limited recovery time, the visitors took control early. Boston scored in the first inning and never relinquished the lead, finishing with a 6-2 edge over the Mets. Key moments included a two-run double by Red Sox designated hitter Masataka Yoshida and a leadoff double by second baseman Anthony Seigler that helped set the tone in the opening frame.
- Date: July 10, 2026
- Original start time: 7:15 p.m. ET
- Actual first pitch: 7:50 p.m. ET
- Final score: Red Sox 6, Mets 2
Local impact and context
For Mets fans in Queens, the result underscored an uneven stretch for the home club. New York’s bullpen and offense were unable to capitalize against a Red Sox squad that arrived exhausted by schedule disruptions but still played with urgency. The late start also affected local attendees who had planned transportation and childcare around the original time.
Travel incidents such as this are not unprecedented in professional sports, where compressed schedules and frequent flights increase the chance of delays. Still, the sequence of mechanical problems — a canceled overnight departure, a return to the airport, and a second delay — is notable for its length and the way it intersected with a high-profile interleague matchup in New York.
| Team | Runs |
|---|---|
| Boston Red Sox | 6 |
| New York Mets | 2 |
What to watch next
Both clubs head into the All-Star break with different momentum. The Red Sox carried a winning streak into the city and left with a sweep of Chicago and a road win in Queens. For the Mets, the loss is another reminder of the volatility fans have seen this season. Upcoming schedule and roster moves — as well as how teams manage travel and player rest — will be central for both clubs in the weeks ahead.
The extended travel that preceded Friday’s game will likely prompt discussions inside team operations about contingency plans for mechanical problems and player recovery when flights falter. For fans who were at Citi Field, the result was an unwelcome visit from a well-traveled opponent who nevertheless had enough left in the tank to leave New York with a victory.
