Boston Red SoxvsTampa Bay Rays
BOS 5/TB 7
Things to say
Tampa Bay beat Boston 7-5 at the Trop to wrap the series.
01
opener
Rays took it 7-5 at the Trop. Sox hung around but couldn't get the big hit when it mattered. Tampa's just the better team right now, look at the records.
02
key player
Heart of the Rays order kept turning over, that's how you put a five-spot on a road bullpen.
03
hot take
Boston's starter should've gone seven. Cora went to the pen too early and it cost him, same story all year.
04
deep cut
Rays are 40-25 and nobody's talking about them. That's a 100-win pace and they're doing it with a payroll smaller than Boston's outfield.
05
exit
Anyway, getaway day tomorrow, we'll see if the Sox can salvage something before they head home.
The recap
Rays took it 7-5 at the Trop and Boston's slide just keeps going - they're 27-39 and look the part. Tampa's been the better club all year and it showed late, with the bats coming through when it mattered to put a two-run cushion on the board.
Red Sox stayed in it but never really got over the hump, and the bullpen couldn't slam the door once Tampa got into the heart of the order. Getaway day for Boston and they head out of Florida looking like a team that needs to figure something out fast.