The Boston Red Sox dropped the series opener against the Rays, dropping to 27–39. They’re 13.5 games back of the Tampa Bay Rays for the American League East. They’re 5.5 games back of the Rangers for the final spot in the American League wild card standings.
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MLB Game Recap
The Rays took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the third inning with a sacrifice fly. They added three more in the fifth with an RBI single, an RBI double, and a sacrifice fly. In the sixth, they got another RBI single. The Red Sox got a run in the top of the eighth on a Caleb Durbin solo home run. Only his second home run of the season. Ceddanne Rafaela made it a one-run game in the eighth with a three-run homer to make it 5-4. The Rays hit a two-run home run in the bottom half to make it 7–4. Durbin answered with another solo home run to cut the lead to 7–5, but the Red Sox could not score again and were swept.
Jake Bennett got the start, going five innings, allowing four runs on seven hits. He walked one and struck out four. Boston used three relievers who combined to go three innings, allowing three runs on six hits. They didn’t issue a walk and struck out one. Ryan Watson, Justin Slaten, and Greg Weissert were all used.
Standout Performer
Caleb Durbin went 3-4 with his two solo home runs in the game as he tried to bring the Red Sox back, but it wasn’t enough.
Key News & Notes
Jake Bennett was recalled today, taking Brayan Bello’s spot in the rotation. In his first start, he went five innings, allowing a run on five hits. He walked two and struck out three. Today was the opposite. In Worcester this season, he’s 3-2 in nine starts with a 1.60 ERA, a 1.01 WHIP, and 41 strikeouts in 39.1 innings. Alec Gamboa was optioned to Worcester. In two games with the Red Sox, he didn’t allow a base runner or a run in 1.2 innings, and he struck out three.
Farm Report
- Worcester Red Sox (AAA): Mikey Romero went 2-4 with two RBI in a 5-2 loss to the Red Wings.
- Portland Sea Dogs (AA): Johanfran Garcia went 3-4 with two doubles and two RBI in a 6-2 loss to the Fightin Phils.
- Greenville Drive (A+): Enddy Azocar went 3-4 with a solo home run and two runs scored in a 7-4 win over the Dash.
- Salem RidgeYaks (A): D’Angelo Ortiz went 1-3 with a solo home run in a 6-5 loss to the Woodpeckers.
- FCL Red Sox (ROK): The FCL Red Sox were off tonight. They’re tomorrow against the FCL Braves.
