Game 134: Rays 8 Boston Red Sox 4— Postgame News and Notes
The Rays got off to a fast start on Tuesday and that helped carry them to an 8–4 win over the Boston Red Sox. With the win, Tampa Bay (76–58) has another series victory, has clinched a winning home stand (4–1 so far) and is 18 above .500 for the first time this season.
The Rays earned the victory despite learning early in the day that starter Drew Rasmussen would not pitch because his wife Stevie gave birth to the couple’s first child at 4:30 in the morning.
On a bullpen day, six relievers combined to hold the Red Sox to just six hits and two walks while striking out 10. At the plate, Tampa Bay collected 13 hits, including seven for extra bases and three homers.
After going scoreless in two previous starts and 11 innings against Rich Hill, the Rays jumped on the veteran lefty in the first. Yandy Diaz doubled to right-center, Manuel Margot followed with a line drive single to center, and Randy Arozarena brought everyone home with a three-run homer off the batter’s eye. Arozarena’s 19th homer, a team-leading total, made it 3–0.
Get RaysRadio’s stories in your inbox
Join Medium for free to get updates from this writer.
JT Chargois opened in place of Rasmussen. Chargois retired his first five batters on just 15 pitches. However, Christian Arroyo came up with a broken-bat single with two out in the second, and rookie Triston Casas followed with a two-run homer to right, his first in the majors, to make it a 3–2 game.
Tampa Bay answered in the third against Hill. Margot started the rally with a bunt single up the third base line, and Arozarena had a double that went just past the third base bag. Harold Ramirez singled to left, scoring two runs for a 5–2 advantage.
Garrett Cleavinger followed Chargois with two scoreless innings, allowing a hit and a walk, striking out three. Calvin Faucher had a 1–2–3 fifth, and Brooks Raley pitched a scoreless sixth and seventh, allowing just a hit while facing the minimum.
The Rays tacked on a pair of runs in the sixth against reliever Eduard Bazardo, as Christian Bethancourt and Yu Chang hit back to back homers, their 10th and 4th respectively for a 7–2 advantage. Arozarena and Francisco Mejia doubled to plate another run in the seventh against Tyler Danish, making it 8–2. For Arozarena, it was the last of three extra-base hits.
Jalen Beeks allowed a walk to Reese McGuire in the eighth, and a two-run homer to Tommy Pham. Jason Adam worked an easy ninth to finish off the victory.
The series and the homestand concludes on Wednesday as Jeffrey Springs (7–4 2.62) makes the start for Tampa Bay opposite righty Nick Pivetta (9–10 4.37). Coverage on the Rays Radio Network begins at 6 p.m. and Dave and Andy will have the call with first pitch at 6:40.
