The Tampa Bay Rays used a five run third inning and a six run sixth on Thursday afternoon, to rout the Boston Red Sox 17-8 at Fenway Park and sweep away a four game series.
The Sox were quickly down 2-0 after a half inning on the strength of a pair of RBI singles by Yandy Diaz and Willy Adames. Boston (6-13) took a brief lead when Rafael Devers had an RBI single in the bottom of the first, and Kevin Plawecki had a two run double to make it 3-2 after one inning. The five run third inning by Tampa Bay (12-8) put them ahead for good and included a two run homer by Hunter Renfroe and a solo shot from Brandon Lowe. The Rays got three more in the fourth and then a big six spot in the sixth inning to pull away.
Kyle Hart (0-1) took the loss on the mound for Boston allowing five runs on seven hits in 2.0 innings. Marcus Walden didn’t record an out in the sixth inning allowing six runs on five hits. Plawecki had two hits and three RBI to lead the Sox offense. Michael Chavis and Jonathan Arauz also added two hits a piece. Jalen Beeks (1-1) won in relief for Tampa with two scoreless innings. Tyler Glasnow started and allowed five runs on eight hits in 4.0 innings. Anthony Banda got a three inning save, his first of the season. Manuel Margot had four hits in the win. Diaz, Renfroe, and Adames had three each, while Mike Zunino drove in four runs with a fielders choice RBI and a three run homer.
Boston opens up another four game series when they visit the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium Friday night at 7:05 p.m. The Sox will send out Colten Brewer in a bullpen game, while the first place Yankees go with 3-0 Gerrit Cole.
