The Boston Red Sox scored six runs in the eighth inning all with two outs in an 8-7 win over the Tampa Bay Rays on Sunday afternoon at Fenway Park.
Andrew Benintendi smacked the go ahead hit to cap off an improbable comeback and give the Red Sox an eight game winning streak. Hanley Ramirez led off the eighth inning with a single. After JD Martinez and Brock Holt were retired, Mitch Moreland ripped a double off the wall to score Ramirez. Rafael Devers doubled down the third base line to score Moreland. Christian Vazquez singled to score Devers. After Vazquez went to second on a wild pitch, he scored on a single from Mookie Betts to even the score at 7. Benintendi hit a double to left field to score Betts and give the Red Sox s lead they wouldn’t give back.
Craig Kimbrel set the Rays down in order to close the door in the ninth inning. Eduardo Rodriguez struggled in his first outing of the season. He allowed three runs and threw 92 pitched in 3.2 innings. Rodriguez did struck out seven. Carson Smith (1-1) pitched a scoreless eighth inning to pick up the win.
Betts, Ramirez, and Vazquez recorded two hits each. The Red Sox have started the season 8-1 for the first time in franchise history. Chris Sale will be on the mound when the Red Sox start a three game series against the Yankees at Fenway Park on Tuesday.
