Cora made good on that final promise on Monday night, as Lowe came in to pinch-hit in the ninth inning against Baltimore Orioles closer Yennier Cano. He drew a seven-pitch walk and scored on a Jarren Duran double, but Boston still lost 6-3.

The Boston Red Sox are signing slugging first baseman Nathanial Lowe after he had been designated for assignment by the Nationals last week in favor of younger players, ESPN.com reported. Lowe, 30, will join one of the most potent offenses in baseball with Boston in the midst of a tight American League playoff race.

Boston left the bases loaded in the eighth, ninth and 10th innings Tuesday, squandering crucial opportunities to score.