24 games for a 7–20 record in September. On the final day of the season, September 28, a blown save by Jonathan Papelbon in the 9th inning coupled with a come-from-behind Rays victory over the Yankees eliminated the Red Sox from playoff contention for the 2nd year in a row. They finished the season at 90–72. After the season, manager Terry Francona and General Manager Theo Epstein left the organization after controversial reports of starting pitchers Beckett, Lester, and Lackey drinking beer, eating fried chicken and playing video games in the Red Sox clubhouse during their off days, while their team was losing most of their September games. The Red Sox did not improve the following season, as they went 69–93 and finished last in the American League East for the first time since 1992. 2013: Eighth World Series Championship Under new manager John Farrell, the Red Sox finished first in the American League East with a record of 97 wins and 65 losses. In the postseason, the Red Sox first defeated the AL wild card Tampa Bay Rays in the ALDS. In the ALCS, the Red Sox defeated the American League Central champion Detroit Tigers in six games. Advancing to the World Series, the Red Sox defeated the National League champion St. Louis Cardinals in six games to capture the franchise's eighth championship overall and third in ten years. The Red Sox became the second team to win the World Series the season after finishing last in their division; the first had been the 1991 Minnesota Twins. Amazing postseasons offensively from David Ortiz and Jacoby Ellsbury helped lead the way along with great pitching from Jon Lester, John Lackey and Jake Peavy. 2014–17: Falling back down and getting back up The Red Sox fell back to earth in 2014, finishing last in the AL East with a 71–91 record. They became the first team in history to go from last place to first place to last place in three successive seasons. The Red Sox finished last again in 2015 with a 78–84 record; it was the first time since 1929 and 1930 that the team finished last in back-to-back seasons. However, the Red Sox immediately reverted back to their winning ways, winning back-to-back AL East crowns in 2016 and 2017. 2018: Ninth World Series Championship Under first year manager Alex Cora, the team finished with a 108–54 regular season