Tampa Bay RaysvsBoston Red Sox
TB 3/BOS 5
Things to say
The Red Sox beat the Rays 5-3 at Fenway.
01
opener
Sox took it 5-3 at Fenway. Not pretty, but they scratched enough across to hold on. Nice to see them punch up against Tampa.
02
key player
Whoever got the heart of the order to left the yard tonight earned that one. Big swing when the lineup needed it.
03
hot take
Tampa's the better club on paper, but the Sox just play them tough at home. Records don't mean much once you're inside that ballpark.
04
deep cut
Rays are sitting 56-40 and still let a .500 team hang three on the bullpen. That's the kind of loss that stings in October.
05
exit
Anyway, series rolls on tomorrow. Curious if the Rays send someone who can actually miss bats.
The recap
Boston took this one 5-3 at Fenway, playing spoiler against a Tampa Bay club that came in a season-best 16 over .500. The Red Sox bats did enough damage against the Rays' staff to carry it, and the bullpen slammed the door to lock down a two-run cushion.
It's the kind of win that pulls a .500 team back to even and makes you wonder if Boston's finally found some traction. Getaway-day baseball, and the home nine sent the crowd home happy.