The Boston Red Sox dropped the series opener against the Rays, dropping to 27–37. They’re 11.5 games back of the Tampa Bay Rays for the American League East. They’re 4.5 games back of the Rangers for the final spot in the American League wild card standings.
Purchase tickets via Ticketmaster
MLB Game Recap
The Rays got on the board first with a solo home run in the home half of the first inning. The Red Sox tied it up as Marcelo Mayer crushed a solo home run in the third. In the fifth, the Rays broke the 1-1 tie with an RBI single. The Rays tacked on another run in the eighth with a sacrifice fly. That would be it as the Red Sox lost 3-1.
Connelly Early got the start, going 4.2 innings, allowing two runs on five hits. He walked four and struck out six. The bullpen, with a combination of Tyron Guerrero, Greg Weissert, Danny Coulombe, and Alec Gamboa, combined to go 3.1 innings, allowing a run on two hits. They walked three and struck out four.
Standout Performer
Marcelo Mayer drove home the lone Boston run in tonight’s loss with his solo home run. He went 1-for-2 before Andruw Monasterio replaced him.
Key News & Notes
Some interesting comments were made yesterday. According to Buster Olney via WEEI, he said, “Today I talked to someone, with another team, that told me that it’s to the degree that the Red Sox ownership has gotten involved. I have not confirmed the name of the owner… but an owner, one of the Red Sox ownership group, is actually calling around and trying to grease the skids to something to add a right-handed bat” An article did come out that the Red Sox are moving on from CBO Craig Breslow, so overall, this is an interesting development to watch over the next couple of months heading into an important trade deadline.
Rumors surfaced this morning that the Red Sox had traded Marcelo Mayer to the Diamondbacks. Tonight’s game quickly put those rumors to rest, but Boston did show interest in Ketel Marte during the offseason. Could that have been the conversation if there was any truth to that?
Also worth noting is that the Red Sox may be getting some arms back. Patrick Sandoval made another rehab appearance on Sunday. He’s made three three starts now, going 0-1 with a 6.75 ERA, a 2.10 WHIP, and four strikeouts in 6.2 innings. On Sunday, he went 1.1 scoreless innings; he didn’t allow a hit, walked one, and didn’t record a strikeout. The Red Sox are also expected to get right-handed reliever Garrett Whitlock back tomorrow as well.
Farm Report
- Worcester Red Sox (AAA): Worcester will start a series with Rochester tonight.
- Portland Sea Dogs (AA): The Sea Dogs start a series at Reading tonight
- Greenville Drive (A+): The Drive face the Dash tonight.
- Salem RidgeYaks (A): The RidgeYaks face Fayetville tonight.
- FCL Red Sox (ROK): Franklin Primera went 1-2 with a double, two RBI, a walk, a hit-by-pitch, a run scored, and a stolen base in a 6-5 win over the FCL Orioles.
