Chirinos shuts down Sox as Rays take opening game of series

June 7, 2019

Yonny Chirinos pitched eight shutout innings to lead the Tampa Bay Rays to a 5-1 win over the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on Friday night.

Chirinos didn’t allow a baserunner until Brock Holt walked in the sixth inning, Jackie Bradley JR followed with the Red Sox first hit. Mookie Betts also walked as the bases were loaded with only one out. Chirinos struck out Andrew Benintendi and Rafael Devers to leave the bases loaded.

Rick Porcello (4-6) allowed four runs in six innings Xander Bogaerts had two of the four Red Sox hits and the only RBI. Chirinos (7-2) allowed only two hits and two walks, while striking out six.

The Red Sox and Rays will play a day/night doubleheader on Saturday. Josh Smith and David Price are scheduled to pitch for the Red Sox. Lefty Ryan Yarbrough will pitch game one for the Rays, while Kevin Cash is undecided who he will start in the nightcap.

The Rays will enter play on Saturday just a half game behind the first place Yankees in the American League East. The Red Sox are six games behind the Rays and tied with the Rangers for the second wild card spot.

Xander Bogaerts (shown here earlier this season) had two hits for the Red Sox in a 5-1 loss to the Rays on Friday night. Photo courtesy of Delaney Gardner