Throughout the Red Sox’s summer surge, Trevor Story and Roman Anthony were forced to watch from the sidelines, and for months, the two injured standouts could only hope that at some point they might get a chance to contribute.

On Monday night, their time finally came.

Playing in just their second game since coming off the injured list, Story and Anthony each played an integral role in the Red Sox’s 9-8 comeback win over the Mariners.

Anthony hit a leadoff triple in the bottom of the ninth and beat a close throw to the plate to score the tying run to force extras, and Story had massive hits in each of his last two at-bats, first hitting a two-run double in the eighth to get the game within one before finishing things off with a walk-off RBI single in the bottom of the 10th.

Following the game, Story acknowledged how special Monday night was and how it was the kind of moment he and Anthony had been dreaming of throughout their rehab process.

“It means a lot, we’ve been watching from afar for a while just supporting the boys and thinking about the times that we can get on the field and contribute,” Story said. “We talked about it a lot and be thinking forward to that, now here we are and it’s pretty fun.”

Story in particular has faced a lot of adversity throughout the season. He played the first two months of the season with a sports hernia that likely contributed to his terrible numbers on both sides of the ball, and he drew scrutiny throughout his rehab process as he went 6 for 35 (.171) with 11 strikeouts over his 10 rehab games with the WooSox.

But since being activated Sunday, Story has made an immediate impact, going 4 for 8 with two doubles and three RBI over his first two games. His walk-off hit, which was officially scored an RBI single, likely would have been a three-run double too had the play been continued to its completion.

“I was so happy for him,” Anthony said. “Every at-bat he continues to look better and better and he continued to trust himself through all the noise and he’s just a true veteran. He’s the same guy every day, good or bad, and to see him do that, it was unbelievable.”

Anthony, who had been out since May 4 with a sprained ligament in his right hand, enjoyed a much more fruitful minor league rehab stint. He has carried that performance over to the big leagues, going 4 for 8 with two doubles and a triple in his first two games, and teammates have marveled at the way Anthony and Story have jumped right on the moving train and made an impact.

“I think it speaks volumes to how intentful their return back was, how they took each step and took it and ran with it,” Red Sox pitcher Payton Tolle said. “Very intentful is probably the way that I’d put it. But it’s been amazing to watch and for them to be swinging like they are is really cool.”

Following his activation, Story told reporters in New York that he didn’t want to be a hero and instead hoped to just do what he could to contribute. Even though he was the hero Monday, he doubled down on those sentiments, saying after everything he’s been through he’s grateful for the opportunity to contribute and hopes that by not trying to do too much he’ll be able to come through when his number is called.

“It’s not about us coming back to do anything other than fit in and try to win games,” Story said. “I’m proud of Roman, he’s been playing well since we got back too and it’s about the team and about where this thing is going and I’m happy to be a part of it.”