The Boston Red Sox completed another sweep, this time a four-game series against the Rays. The Red Sox are now 50-48. They’re holding the final playoff spot in the American League. They’re also now down to six games back of the Rays for first in the American League East.
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Red Sox Weekend Recap
Saturday:
Tampa Bay opened the scoring in the second with two RBI singles, jumping out to a 2-0 lead. The Red Sox would tie it in the home half. Jahmai Jones, in his second at-bat in a Red Sox jersey, hit a two-run home run. In the bottom of the third, Wilyer Abreu hit a solo home run to make it 3-2. The Rays got three runs in the top of the fourth to take the lead back, making it 5-3.
They got a solo home run in the seventh, making it 6-3. The Red Sox offense came back to life in the bottom of the seventh. Masataka Yoshida drove home a run on a groundout. Ceddanne Rafaela doubled home a run to make it a one-run game. Abreu then hit his fourth home run in two games with a two-run home run. That put the Red Sox back on top and led them to their 12th straight win.
Patrick Sandoval got the start, going five innings, allowing five runs, four earned, on nine hits. He walked one and struck out five. The bullpen combination of Ryan Watson, Garrett Whitlock, and Aroldis Chapman went four innings. They allowed a run on one hit. Chapman walked two, and Watson struck out two. Chapman picked up his 21st save, and Watson got the win.
Sunday:
The Rays got on the board first with an inside-the-park home run. The Red Sox answered with an RBI double from Andruw Monasterio to tie the game. In the bottom of the third, Jahmai Jones scored on a passed ball, then Caleb Durbin brought home another run on a fielder’s choice, and he advanced to second on a throwing error. Romy Gonzalez brought home another run on a ground out to make it 4-1. In the bottom of the fifth, Willson Contreras hit a two-run home run, his 22nd home run of the year, to make it 6-1, and that would be the final.
Sonny Gray went six innings, allowing a run on five hits. He walked four and struck out five. Greg Weissert, Jovani Moran, and Watson shut the door out of the bullpen, combining to go three innings. They each allowed a hit; Watson walked one, while striking out two, and Weissert struck out one.
Standout Game Performer
Wilyer Abreu went 2-for-6 in the two games with two home runs on Saturday, and on Sunday, he scored a run.
Key News & Notes
The Red Sox start a series against the Orioles tomorrow with Payton Tolle getting the ball as he makes his first start of the second half. He’s 5-6 with a 3.11 ERA, a 1.07 WHIP, and 87 strikeouts in 84 innings. In his last start, he only went 3.1 innings due to the Red Sox trying to limit his innings usage.
They are now 13-1 in July, also winning 17 of their last 19 games. During the winning streak, they are averaging 5.8 runs per game while allowing 1.8 runs per game.
Farm Report
- Worcester Red Sox (AAA): Worcester was rained out Saturday, and on Sunday they were walked off by the RailRiders.
- Portland Sea Dogs (AA): Portland took the last two games against Somerset, outscoring them 13-1. Boston’s top two prospects were fantastic Saturday. Franklin Arias went 3-for-4 with two RBI, two runs, and two walks. Anthony Eyanson was fantastic, going five scoreless innings, allowing a hit, a walk, and striking out eight.
- Greenville Drive (A+): The Drive dropped the final two games and were outscored 29-8.
- Salem RidgeYaks (A): Salem took Saturday’s game 10-5, then Sunday’s game 4-2.
- FCL Red Sox (ROK): They were rained out Saturday against FCL Twins and were off Sunday. They’re back today against the FCL Braves.
- DSL Red Sox Red (ROK): DSL Red Sox Red were off Saturday and Sunday. They return today to face DSL Tampa Bay.
- DSL Red Sox Blue (ROK): DSL Red Sox Blue were off Saturday and Sunday as well and face the DSL Rays today.
