The Boston Red Sox dropped the series opener against the Rays, dropping to 27–38. They’re 12.5 games back of the Tampa Bay Rays for the American League East. They’re five games back of the Blue Jays for the final spot in the American League wild card standings.
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MLB Game Recap
The Red Sox opened the scoring in the third with an RBI single by Jarren Duran. The Rays got an RBI single, and then back-to-back RBI doubles to make it 3-1. Tampa Bay added another run in the sixth. The Red Sox got two more runs back and made it a one-run game in the eighth on a two-RBI double by Marcelo Mayer.
Payton Tolle went six innings, allowing four runs on nine hits. He walked one and struck out three. Tommy Kahnle and Garrett Whitlock combined to go two scoreless innings, allowing three hits and striking out two.
Standout Performer
Isiah Kiner-Falefa was the only Red Sox hitter who had multiple hits, going 2-4. He scored two runs and had a double.
Key News & Notes
The Red Sox only struck out twice tonight as Duran and Willson Contreras had the honors. The Red Sox’s crazy stat to this point of the season is that they have scored 40 runs in the ninth inning this season; they are 0-34 when trailing after eight innings. They had the tying run at third with one out but couldn’t get it home after back-to-back groundouts. Things are slipping away in Boston; they need to get that right-handed bat, and they need to do it soon.
Farm Report
- Worcester Red Sox (AAA): Matt Lloyd went 1-4 with a three-run homer in a 6-5 win over the Red Wings.
- Portland Sea Dogs (AA): Brooks Brannon went 3-4 with a double, an RBI, and a run scored in a 7-4 loss to the Fightin Phils.
- Greenville Drive (A+): Yoeilin Cespedes went 2-3 with two RBI and a walk in an 8-7 win over the Dash.
- Salem RidgeYaks (A): Ilan Fernandez went 1-4 with two RBI in a 7-6 loss to the Woodpeckers.
- FCL Red Sox (ROK): Sadbiel Delzine went 6.1 scoreless innings in relief, two hits, no walks, and striking out eight in a 13-2 win over the FCL Guardians.
