Sox Rally Falls Short (9/10/21)

Before the game the Boston Red Sox made some roster moves. Chris Sale and Jonathan Arauz were placed on the COVID list and Austin Davis was placed on the paternity list. Congratulations to Davis! In their places Xander Bogaerts was finally activated from the Covid list, Darwinzon Hernandez was activated from the Injured List and Kaleb Ort was called up from Worcester. Ort was picked up from the New York Yankees in the Rule 5 draft with Garrett Whitlock and he had a good year for Worcester.

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In yet another crushing blow to the 2021 Red Sox season, the BoSox managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory against the Chicago White Sox. Tanner Houck (0-4, 3.54 ERA) once again failed to win a game as he lasted just 3 2/3 innings against the ChiSox. Jose Abreu hit a three run bomb in the bottom of the third before allowing another run in the fourth. The BoSox rallied with a Bobby Dalbec home run and a rally in the seventh inning. The BoSox had the tying run on in the seventh, eighth and ninth but couldn't cash in. The White Sox had beaten the Red Sox 4-3 at Comiskey Park.

                                                          Another gut wrenching loss

Carlos Rodon got the ball in the top of the first and Kike Hernandez lined out to right to start. Kyle Schwarber took strike three and Hunter Renfroe flied out to right to end the inning. Houck got the ball in the bottom of the first and Luis Robert Jr grounded back to the mound to start. Old pal Yoan Moncada walked but Jose Abreu struck out swinging. Eloy Jimenez grounded back to the mound to end the inning. 

Xander Bogaerts popped up to short to start the top of the second before Rafael Devers grounded out to second. Bobby Dalbec struck out swinging to end the inning. Yasmani Grandal grounded out to second to start the bottom of the second before Gavin Sheets grounded out to short. Leury Garcia grounded out to first to end the inning.

Christian Vazquez got a base hit to center to start the top of the third before Danny Santana took strike three. A wild pitch moved Vazquez to second then took third when Grandal threw the ball away for an error. Jose Iglesias and Hernandez both struck out swinging to end the inning. The ChiSox struck first in the bottom of the third as Brian Goodwin flied out to center to start. Cesar Hernandez walked but Robert flied out to center. Moncada got a base hit to left and Abreu hit a home run all the way to Baltimore to put the ChiSox up for good. Jimenez singled to left and Grandal was hit with a pitch, but Eloy was picked off to end the inning with Chicago up 3-0.

                                                                   Game over

The BoSox failed to respond in the top of the fourth as Schwarber grounded out to second to begin. Renfroe struck out swinging to start but Bogaerts singled to left. Devers struck out swinging to end the inning. The ChiSox chased Houck in the bottom of the fourth as Iglesias booted a grounder by Sheets to start. Garcia popped up to short but Goodwin walked. Hernandez beat out a double play ball to put runners at the corners and Roberts got a base hit to right to score Sheets. That was it for Houck who got hammered for four runs in just 3 2/3 innings. Darwinzon Hernandez came in and hit Moncada to load the bases but Abreu grounded out to short to end the inning with Chicago ahead 4-0.

                                                           Houck gets hammered

The Sox tried to fight back in the top of the fifth as Dalbec smashed his 21st home run of the season to cut the lead. Vazquez popped up to third, Santana popped up to first and Iglesias hit one up the elevator shaft to end the inning with the BoSox down 4-1.

                                                           Home run Dalbec

Jimenez took strike three to start the bottom of the fifth before Grandal struck out swinging. Sheets walked but Garcia forced him at second to end the inning.

Former BoSox prospect Michael Kopech came in to pitch the top of the sixth and Hernandez struck out swinging to start. Schwarber took strike three but Renfroe walked. Bogaerts singled to left to chase Kopech. Aaron Bummer came in to face Devers and Rafael grounded out to short to end the inning. Michael Feliz came in to pitch the bottom of the sixth and Goodwin singled to center to begin. Hernandez forced Goodwin at center and Robert went down hacking. Moncada grounded out to short to end the inning.

The BoSox rallied in the top of the seventh with Billy Hamilton in left and Ryan Tepera now on the mound. Dalbec tripled to right but all Vazquez could do is score him with a ground out to second. Santana got a base hit to right and Alex Verdugo pinch hit for Iglesias. A wild pitch moved Santana to second and Verdugo singled to right to score Danny. Hernandez forced Verdugo at second and Garrett Crochet came in to face Schwarber. With the tying run at first....Schwarber flied out to left to end the inning with the Sox down 4-3.

Adam Ottavino came in to pitch the bottom of the seventh and Abreu walked to start. Jimenez took strike three, Grandal flied out to left and Hamilton struck out swinging to end the inning. 

Old buddy Craig Kimbrel came in to pitch the top of the eighth and Renfroe took strike three. Bogaerts walked to put the tying run on but Devers popped up to third and Dalbec struck out swinging to end the inning. Ryan Brasier came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth and Garcia grounded out to short to start. Goodwin walked and Hernandez blooped a single to right before Robert beat out a double play ball. Josh Taylor came in to face Moncada and hit him with a pitch to load the bases. Abreu struck out swinging to end the inning.

Liam Hendriks came in to close out the top of the ninth and Vazquez beat out a roller to short to start. Santana grounded out to second to move Vazquez to second but Verdugo grounded out to short. Travis Shaw pinch hit for Hernandez and flied out to center to end the game. The White Sox had won it 4-3. 

                                                               White Sox win

Jackass of The Night is Tanner Houck. He put the Sox in a hole they couldn't climb out of by allowing 4 runs in 3 2/3 innings.

                                                         Jackass Houck

The Good:

Xander Bogaerts was 2 for 3 with a walk.

Bobby Dalbec was 2 for 4 with a home run and 2 total runs scored.

Christian Vazquez was 2 for 4 with an rbi.

Alex Verdugo was 1 for 2 with an rbi.

Darwinzon Hernandez tossed 1 1/3 scoreless innings.

Michael Feliz pitched a scoreless inning.

Adam Ottavino tossed a scoreless inning.

Ryan Brasier got the first two outs of the eighth inning.

Josh Taylor got the final out of the eighth inning.

The Bad:

Kike Hernandez was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

Travis Shaw was 0 for 1 at the plate.

Kyle Schwarber was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

Rafael Devers was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Jose Iglesias was 0 for 2 with a strikeout.

The Ugly:

Danny Santana was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but scored a run.

Final Thoughts:

If the Red Sox miss the playoffs, games like this are going to be the ones they're kicking themselves over. The Sox fell behind early, rallied and couldn't complete the comeback. Its easy to see why, Alex Cora relied heavily on the bullpen and it crumbled. Now the warts in the rotation are showing as Houck failed to go four innings let alone five and things don't look good right now. There's still 19 games left in the season but the Sox are neck and neck with the New York Yankees for the wild card. The Sox need to go on a winning streak to at least put some distance between the two teams. Hats off to the bullpen in this one who didn't allow a run after Houck left the game. Too bad the Sox couldn't complete the comeback. The loss drops the Sox to 80-63, 9 games behind the Tampa Bay Rays for first place in the AL East and 1 game ahead of the New York Yankees for the wild card. The BoSox look to bounce back tomorrow night against the ChiSox. Connor Seabold is scheduled to make his major league debut opposite Dylan Cease of Chicago. The game begins at 7:10 PM Eastern time at Comiskey Park.

Off-Day News (9/9/21)

On This Day in Boston Red Sox Basebawful History:

2016 - Porcello wins 20th, Sox beat Jays

2017 - Sale, Sox shutout Rays

2018 - Sox walkoff Astros

2019 - Yankees shutout Sox

The Sox are back in action tomorrow night in Chicago for a set with the White Sox. Tanner Houck (0-4, 3.54 ERA) gets the start for Boston against Carlos Rodon for Chicago. The game begins at 8:10 PM Eastern time at Comiskey Park.

Sox Rally To Beat Rays (9/8/21)

With the season spiraling down the drain, the Boston Red Sox were just four outs away from being swept out of Boston by the Tampa Bay Rays. Shane McClanahan and the Tampa bullpen held the Sox scoreless through seven innings. Nathan Eovaldi held the Rays scoreless through seven innings himself to keep the Sox in the game. Josh Taylor then allowed a single by Brandon Lowe in the top of the eighth and Garrett Richards gave up an rbi single by Nelson Cruz to put Tampa on top. With Kyle Schwarber at first and two out, Hunter Renfroe hit a two run bomb off JT Chargois to put Boston ahead. If that wasn't enough, Renfroe threw out Joey Wendle at third trying to stretch a double for the final out. The Sox saved their season with a come from behind 2-1 victory at Fenway Park.

                                                       Jill Valentine approves of the win

Eovaldi got the ball in the top of the first and Brandon Lowe led off with a base hit to center. Wander Franco lined out to center and Lowe moved to second on a grounder to second by Cruz. Austin Meadows popped up to third to end the inning. McClanahan got the ball in the bottom of the first and Kike Hernandez flied out to center to start. Hunter Renfroe grounded out to third but JD Martinez walked. Rafael Devers got a base hit to right but Bobby Dalbec lined out to right to end the inning.

Ji Man Choi struck out swinging to start the top of the second before Manny Margot flied out to center. Joey Wendle grounded back to the mound to end the inning. Kevin Plawecki grounded out to third to start the bottom of the second but Danny Santana singled to center. Santana stole second but Jose Iglesias struck out swinging.

Josh Lowe walked to start the top of the third before Mike Zunino popped up to first. Josh Lowe stole second and Brandon Lowe walked, but Franco lined out to center. Cruz struck out swinging to end the inning. Hernandez got a base hit to left to start the bottom of the third before being forced at second by Renfroe. Martinez flied out to center and Devers lined out to left to end the inning.

Meadows struck out swinging to start the top of the fourth and Choi also went down hacking. Margot got a base hit to right but was thrown out at second trying to stretch a double by Renfroe to end the inning. Dalbec flied out to right to start the bottom of the fourth and Plawecki struck out swinging. Santana lined out to right to end the inning.

Wendle struck out swinging to begin the top of the fifth but Josh Lowe got a swinging bunt single in front of the plate. Zunino and Brandon Lowe both struck out swinging to end the inning. Iglesias lined out to left to begin the bottom of the fifth before Arauz struck out swinging. Hernandez lined out to left to end the inning.

Franco grounded out to short to start the top of the sixth and Cruz popped up to short. Meadows struck out swinging to end the inning. Andrew Kittredge came in for McClanahan in the bottom of the sixth and Renfroe got a base hit to right to start. Martinez banged into a double play and Devers went down hacking to end the inning.

Eovaldi came back for the top of the seventh and Choi grounded out to first to start. Margot and Wendle both grounded out to first to end the inning. Eovaldi tossed 7 innings of shutout ball allowing just 3 hits and 2 walks while striking out 8.

                                                             Great work Eovaldi

Pete Fairbanks came in to pitch the bottom of the seventh and Dalbec took strike three to start. Plawecki and Santana both went hacking to end the inning.

Josh Taylor came in to pitch the top of the eighth and Yandy Diaz pinch hit for Josh Lowe to start. Diaz grounded out to second and Zunino flied out to right. Brandon Lowe beat out a roller to second and that was it for Taylor. Garrett Richards came in and Franco walked before Cruz dropped a base hit to right to score Lowe. Meadows took strike three to end the inning with the Rays ahead 1-0.

                                                         Cruz puts Tampa ahead

Kevin Keirmaier took over at center with Matt Wisler on the mound for the bottom of the eighth. With the season on the line, Alex Verdugo pinch hit for Iglesias and got a base hit to right. JT Chargois came in to face Arauz but Sox manager Alex Cora pinch hit Kyle Schwarber for Arauz. Kyle forced Verdugo at second and Hernandez lined out to center. Down to their final four outs with the season slipping away, Renfroe pounded his 27th home run of the season to put Boston on top. Martinez doubled to left and Devers was intentionally walked, but Dalbec grounded out to third to end the inning with the Sox up 2-1.

                                                                 Renfroe saves the season

Travis Shaw took over at first with Hansel Robles now on the mound to close out the top of the ninth. Choi and Margot struck out swinging but Wendle hit a gap shot into right field. Wendle had second base but tried to go to third, getting thrown out by none other than Renfroe to end the game. The Sox had shocked the Rays 2-1.

                                                            Sox win

Hero of The Night is Hunter Renfroe. He hit the go-ahead two run home run and threw out the tying run at third to end the game.

                                                        Hero Renfroe

The Good:

JD Martinez was just 1 for 3 with a walk.

Rafael Devers was 1 for 3 with a walk.

Danny Santana was 1 for 3 with a stolen base.

Alex Verdugo got a base hit as a pinch hitter.

Kyle Schwarber scored a run in the eighth inning.

Nathan Eovaldi tossed 7 shutout innings allowing 3 hits and 2 walks while striking out 8.

Hansel Robles earned his 12th save with a scoreless ninth inning.

The Bad:

Bobby Dalbec was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Kevin Plawecki was 0 for 3 with 2 strikeouts.

Jose Iglesias was 0 for 2 with a strikeout.

Jonathan Arauz was 0 for 2 with a strikeout.

Josh Taylor was charged with a run in 2/3 of an inning.

The Ugly:

Kike Hernandez was just 1 for 4.

Garrett Richards vultured the win by allowing an inherited runner to score in 1/3 of an inning.

Honorable Mention:

Travis Shaw played first base in the top of the ninth.

Final Thoughts:

In terms of regular season wins, this was a pretty important one. Not only are the Sox hanging on to the wild card for dear life, they need to beat the Rays if they have any hope of winning the division. Barring a collapse by Tampa, its not going to happen but the chance is there. Still, if the Sox want to focus their attention on New York, snatching a win from the jaws of victory was important. Eovaldi pitched very well but the offense was asleep for most of the game. Renfroe saved their bacon in the field and at the plate. Too bad the bullpen broke down over the course of the season or else they'd be odds on favorites to win it all. A win like this could propel them so hopefully good things are in store with 20 games left in the season. The win improved the Sox to 80-42, 9 games behind the Rays for first place in the AL East. After an off-day tomorrow the Sox are back in action Friday night in Chicago for a set with the White Sox. Tanner Houck (0-4, 3.54 ERA) gets the start for Boston against Carlos Rodon for Chicago. The game begins at 8:10 PM Eastern time at Comiskey Park.

Rays Crush Rodriguez, Sox (9/7/21)

Before the game the Boston Red Sox made a series of roster moves. Kike Hernandez and Danny Santana were activated from the Covid List while Taylor Motter was designated for assignment and Franchy Cordero was sent back to Worcester. Motter did well when he was here, don't know why he has to leave. Oh well.

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As for the game, another unmitigated disaster. The Tampa Bay Rays put a cigarette out on the heads of the Boston Red Sox. Their red hot second half surge continued as they pounded out another 14 hits and 12 runs against Red Sox pitching. Eduardo Rodriguez (11-8, 5.15 ERA) continued his season of regression by getting tagged for six runs in just 3 2/3 innings. Michael Feliz and Brad Peacock got rocked for six runs as well as the Rays teed off on Sox pitching. Drew Rasmussen held the Sox to just  1 run through five innings although the Sox rallied for six runs at the end off David Hess. The final score looked a little better but the Sox got blown out by Tampa 12-7 at Fenway Park.

                                                     "DAMMIT TAMPA!!!"

Rodriguez got the ball in the top of the first as Randy Arozarena struck out swinging to start. Wander Franco grounded out to short and Nelson Cruz grounded out to second to end the inning. Rasmussen got the ball in the bottom of the first and the returning Kike Hernandez took strike three to start. Kyle Schwarber grounded out to short and JD Martinez flied out to right to end the inning.

The Rays jumped on E-Rod in the top of the second as Yandy Diaz popped up to first in foul territory to start. Jordan Luplow doubled to center and Manny Margot doubled to center to score him. Joey Wendle singled to right and Mike Zunino tripled into the right field corner to ice the game already. Zunino got picked off third and Kevin Kiermaier struck out swinging to end the inning with the Rays up 3-0.

                                                        Zunino clears the bases

The Sox did fight back in the bottom of the second as Rafael Devers singled to center to start. Hunter Renfroe doubled to left but Alex Verdugo took strike three. Christian Vazquez grounded out to second but Devers scored to cut the lead. Jose Iglesias flied out to right to end the inning with the Sox down 3-1.

The Rays struck again in the top of the third as Arozarena doubled to left to start. Franco lined out to short but Cruz hit a home run all the way to Alabama to increase the lead. Diaz grounded out to third but Luplow beat out a roller to short. Margo grounded out to second to end the inning with the Rays up 5-1.

                                                              That's one for Cruz

Jonathan Arauz grounded out to second to start the bottom of the third before Hernandez grounded out to third. Schwarber and Martinez stroked back to back base hits to right but Devers grounded out to second to end the inning.

The Rays were relentless in the top of the fourth as Wendle struck out swinging to start. Zunino then hit a home run all the way to Detroit to increase the lead. Kiermaier flied out to left and Sox manager Alex Cora had seen enough of Rodriguez. E-Rod got pounded for 6 runs off 8 hits in just 3 2/3 innings. Michael Feliz came in and Arozarena flied out to center to end the inning with the Rays up 6-1.

                                                       Bye bye Rodriguez

The Sox failed to respond in the bottom of the fourth as Renfroe grounded out to second to start. Verdugo singled to center but Vazquez flied out to left. Iglesias popped up to left to end the inning.

The Rays scored again in the top of the fifth as Franco grounded out to short to start. Cruz hit his second home run of the night into the Charles River and Diaz struck out swinging. Luplow struck out swinging to end the inning with the Rays up 7-1.

                                                      That's 2 for Cruz

The Sox blew a rally in the bottom of the fifth as Arauz pounded a ground rule double into the right field stands to start. Hernandez flied out to center but Schwarber moved Arauz to third with a grounder to second. Martinez grounded out to second to end the inning.

Margot struck out swinging to start the top of the sixth before Wendle flied out to left. Zunino then swatted his second home run of the night to make the rest of the crowd leave. Kiermaier lined out to short to end the inning with the Rays up 8-1.

                                                       Another home run

Louis Head came in to pitch the bottom of the sixth and Devers grounded out to short to start. Renfroe struck out swinging but Verdugo singled to center. Vazquez popped up to first to end the inning.

Brad Peacock came in to crap his pants in the top of the seventh as Arozarena doubled to center to start. Franco walked and Cruz doubled off off the Monster to score Arozarena. Diaz lined out to short and Luplow hit a home run all the way into the Gulf of Mexico to increase the lead. Margot grounded out to third and Wendle took strike three to end the inning with the Rays up 12-1.

                                                         Home run derby by Tampa

Iglesias popped up to first to start the bottom of the seventh before Arauz grounded back to the mound. Hernandez popped up to Margot to end the inning.

Bobby Dalbec came in for Devers and Danny Santana came in for Renfroe to start the top of the eighth. Zunino grounded out to second, Kiermaier struck out swinging and Arozarena grounded out to second to end the inning. Suddenly the Sox rallied in the bottom of the eighth as Schwarber blooped a base hit to right to start. Travis Shaw pinch hit for Martinez and struck out swinging but Dalbec crushed his 19th home run of the season to cut the lead. Santana then cracked his 5th home run of the season for back to back jacks. Verdugo flied out to right but Vazquez got a base hit to right. Iglesias singled to left and Arauz singled to center to score Vazquez. Hernandez grounded out to second to end the inning with the Sox down 12-5

                                                     Santana goes back to back

Franco flied out to center to start the top of the ninth but Cruz singled to right. Diaz struck out swinging and Luplow grounded out to second to end the inning. The Sox rallied in the bottom of the ninth as Schwarber walked to start. Shaw struck out swinging again but Dalbec cracked his second home run off Hess to cut the lead. Santana flied out to right but Verdugo singled to right. Alex took second on defensive indifference but Vazquez grounded out to second to end the game. The Rays had won it 12-7.

                                                     Hess closes it out for Tampa

Jackass of The Night is Eduardo Rodriguez. His horrible start set the tone and helped put the game out of reach early. He allowed 6 runs in just 3 2/3 innings.

                                                           Jackass E-Rod

The Good:

Kyle Schwarber was 2 for 4 with a walk and 2 runs scored.

JD Martinez was 1 for 3.

Rafael Devers was 1 for 3 with a run scored.

Bobby Dalbec was 2 for 2 with 2 home runs and four total rbis.

Hunter Renfroe was 1 for 3.

Danny Santana was 1 for 2 with a home run.

Alex Verdugo was 3 for 5.

Jonathan Arauz was 2 for 4 with an rbi.

The Bad:

Kike Hernandez was 0 for 5 with a strikeout.

Travis Shaw was 0 for 2 with 2 strikeouts.

Michael Feliz allowed 2 runs in 2 1/3 innings.

Brad Peacock allowed 4 runs in 3 innings.

The Ugly:

Christian Vazquez was just 1 for 5 but drove in a run and scored a run.

Jose Iglesias was just 1 for 4.

Final Thoughts:

So much for winning the AL East this season. The Rays emphatically stomped out the Sox and they would need a hell of an effort to get back in the race. Its not going to happen because Alex Cora burnt the bullpen out and the Sox haven't recovered since early July. Now the Sox need to go on a run just to even make the playoffs, which is no guarantee at this point. There's still 21 games left in the season and anything can happen, but things don't look good right now. The Sox bats responded today but the pitching was awful. Its been awful against the Rays this whole series and there's still another game still to play. Hopefully the pitching can come around before its too late. The loss dropped the Sox to 79-62, a full 10 games behind the Rays for first place in the AL East. The Sox look to avoid the sweep against the Rays tomorrow when Nathan Eovaldi takes on Shane McClanahan of Tampa. The game begins at 7:10 PM at Fenway Park.

Rays Outslug Red Sox in 10 Innings (9/6/21)

Before the game the Boston Red Sox made a bevy of roster moves. Kutter Crawford, Jack Lopez and John Schreiber was sent back to Worcester as the Sox called up 28 year old former Pittsburgh Pirates reliever Michael Feliz. Josh Taylor was also removed from the Covid List and the Sox brought back an old friend. Today the Sox signed none other than former 2013 Red Sox player Jose Iglesias. Iglesias was traded at the deadline back in 2013 for Jake Peavy and Iglesias still made it to the ALCS that year with the Detroit Tigers. First they brought back Travis Shaw and now Iglesias, almost time for Clay Buchholz to make the big comeback.

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As for the game, the Sox are in deep doo doo now. The Tampa Bay Rays have arguably the better pitching staff but the Red Sox prided themselves on having the better offense. The Rays pretty much stomped out the Sox' AL East hope and the notion the offense is better with a 19 hit, 11 run attack. Chris Sale got no help from his defense as the Sox committed three errors throughout the game. Sale was charged with 5 runs but only 1 was earned before Sale was knocked out in the fourth inning. The sad part was the Sox broke out early against Ryan Yarbrough to take a 7-1 lead but the four run fourth by the Rays put Tampa back in the game. The Rays scored runs in every inning after the sixth to tie the game and Sox manager Alex Cora let Garrett Whitlock (7-3, 1.86 ERA) blow the save and the game. The Sox managed to score 10 runs of their own but the two run tenth inning proved to be too much as the Rays iced the AL East with an 11-10 win in 10 innings at Fenway Park.

                                                     A microcosm of today's game

Sale got the ball in the top of the first and Randy Arozarena struck out swinging to start. Wander Franco tripled into the right field corner and scored on the Nelson Cruz single to center. Yandy Diaz beat out a roller to third but Jordan Luplow struck out swinging. Manny Margot also beat out a roller to third to load the bases but Austin Meadows struck out swinging to end the inning with the Rays up 1-0.

                                                          Cruz puts Tampa on top

The Sox answered against Yarbrough in the bottom of the first as Taylor Motter grounded back to the mound to start. Kyle Schwarber singled to center and Hunter Renfroe singled to left to move Kyle to third. JD Martinez singled to center to score Schwarber to tie the game but Rafael Devers struck out swinging. Bobby Dalbec walked to load the bases but Alex Verdugo lined back to Yarbrough to end the inning with the game tied 1-1.

                                                        Martinez ties it up

Francisco Mejia grounded back to the mound to start the top of the second before Taylor Walls flied out to right. Arozarena struck out swinging to end the inning. The Sox exploded in the bottom of the second as Christian Vazquez singled to left to start. Jonathan Arauz popped up to left but Motter doubled to left to score Vazquez. Schwarber was hit with a pitch and Renfroe doubled to left to score Motter. Martinez was intentionally walked for some inane reason and Devers ripped a base hit to center to score Schwarber. Dalbec doubled off the Monster to score Schwarber and Renfroe and Verdugo hit a sac fly to center to score Devers. Vazquez grounded out to third to end the inning with the Sox ahead 7-1.

                                                           Motter starts the scoring

Franco singled to left to start the top of the third before Cruz struck out swinging. Diaz flied out to right but Luplow drew a walk. Margot struck out swinging to end the inning. Yarbrough had to come out of the game and Shawn Armstrong came in to pitch the bottom of the third. Arauz grounded out to short, Motter struck out swinging and Schwarber took strike three to end the inning.

The Rays rallied in the top of the fourth as Meadows flied out to center to start. Mejia flied out to left and all Sale needed was one more out and the game was essentially over. It didn't happen as Walls beat out a roller, Arozarena singled to right and Franco singled to right to load the bases. Cruz hit a routine pop up to Verdugo...WHO DROPPED IT! Not only did all three runners score, Cruz made it all the way around as well to put Tampa back in the game. Diaz and Luplow both singled down the third base line and that was it for Sale. Rather than finish the inning, Sale was pulled after 3 2/3 innings and 5 runs allowed. Garrett Ricards came in to face Margot and Manny lined out to center to end the inning with the Rays down 7-5.

                                                "Thanks a lot, Verdugo" - Sale

Renfroe lined out to third to start the bottom of the fourth before Martinez grounded out to second. Devers singled to center and Dalbec flied out to right to end the inning.

Meadows grounded out to short to start the top of the fifth before Mejia flied out to right. Walls struck out swinging to end the inning. Adam Conley came in to pitch the bottom of the fifth and Verdugo struck out swinging to start. Vazquez struck out swinging and Arauz popped up to Conley to end the inning.

The Rays got another run in the top of the sixth as Arozarena took strike three to start. Franco singled to center but Cruz struck out swinging. Diaz singled to right and Luplow singled to left to score Franco. Margot grounded out to third to end the inning with the Rays down 7-6.

                                                     Luplow drives in a run

JT Chargois came in to pitch with Joey Wendle in the game for Luplow to begin the bottom of the sixth. Motter tripled to left to start and Schwarber walked to put runners at the corners. Renfroe ripped a base hit to left to score Motter but Martinez banged into a double play. Devers was intentionally walked to put runners at the corners but Dalbec forced Devers at second to end the inning with the Sox ahead 8-6.

                                                            Motter scores a run

The Rays answered in the top of the seventh with Josh Taylor now on the mound. Meadows flied out to left but Mike Zunino pinch hit for Mejia and doubled to left. Zunino moved to third on the Walls grounder to short and Sox manager Alex Cora wanted Adam Ottavino to face Arozarena. Naturally Arozarena got a base hit to center to score Zunino. Franco lined out to short to end the inning with the Rays down 8-7.

                                                               Rays inch closer

The Sox got to JP Feyereisen in the bottom of the seventh as Verdugo grounded out to third to start. Vazquez flied out to center but Arauz pounded his third home run of the year to increase the lead. Motter struck out swinging to end the inning with the Sox up 9-7.

                                                              Home run Arauz

Jose Iglesias returned after an 8 year absence to take over for Motter to start the top of the eighth. Cruz hit a home run all the way to Charlotte, North Carolina to cut the lead but Diaz struck out swinging. Austin Davis came in to face Wendle and got him to ground out to short. Margot flied out to center to end the inning with the Rays down 9-8.

                                                                Cruz launches one

David Robertson came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth and Schwarber took strike three to start. Renfroe walked but Martinez and Devers both struck out swinging to end the inning.

Garrett "The Lock" Whitlock came in to close out the top of the ninth and immediately Verdugo misplayed a ball hit by Meadows for an inside the park home run. Zunino and Walls both struck out swinging before Arozarena grounded out to third to end the inning with the game tied 9-9.

                                                              So much for that lead

Kevin Kiermaier came in for Meadows with Colin McHugh taking over on the mound for the bottom of the ninth. Travis Shaw pinch hit for Dalbec and pounded a ground rule double into the left field seats. Verdugo was intentionally walked and Franchy Cordero pinch ran for Shaw. The Sox blew it as Vazquez hit one up the elevator shaft and Arauz grounded into a double play to end the inning.

Arozarena started at second base in the top of the tenth and Franco was retired on a squibber to start. Cruz ripped a base hit to right to score Arozarena with the go-ahead run and Brandon Lowe pinch hit for Diaz. Lowe got a base hit to right and Renfroe turned and threw the ball into the bullpen for an error to score Cruz. That was it for Whitlock as Stephen Gonsalves came in to face Wendle. Joey walked but was forced at second by Margo. Kiermaier forced wendle at second to end the inning with the Rays up 11-9.

                                                          Lowe with the decisive blow

Arauz started the bottom of the tenth at second and moved to third on a balk. Iglesias ripped a base hit to right to score Arauz and put the tying run at first. Schwarber struck out swinging but Renfroe reached on an error. Martinez lined out to right but Devers walked to load the bases. For some reason Cora wanted ice cold Kevin Plawecki to pinch hit for Cordero and Kevin grounded out to short to end the game. The Rays had won it 11-10.

                                                             Rays win

Jackass of The Night is Garrett Whitlock. He came in with a 9-8 lead and left trailing 11-9 by allowing three runs.

                                                              Jackass Whitlock

The Good:

Taylor Motter was 2 for 5 with an rbi and 2 runs scored.

Jose Iglesias singled and drove in a run.

Hunter Renfroe was 3 for 5 with a walk, 2 rbis and a run scored.

Kyle Schwarber got a base hit, a walk, was hit with a pitch and scored two runs.

Rafael Devers was 2 for 4 with 2 walks, an rbi and a run scored.

Travis Shaw singled as a pinch hitter.

Austin Davis tossed 2/3 of a scoreless inning.

Stephen Gonsalves tossed 2/3 of a scoreless inning.

The Bad:

Kevin Plawecki was 0 for 1 as a pinch hitter.

Chris Sale allowed 5 runs (1 earned) in just 3 2/3 innings. He allowed 10 hits and a walk while striking out six.

Josh Taylor was charged with a run in 2/3 of an inning.

Adam Ottavino was charged with a run in 2/3 of an inning.

The Ugly:

JD Martinez was just 1 for 5 with a strikeout but walked, drove in a run and scored a run.

Alex Verdugo was 0 for 3 with a strikeout and an error but walked.

Christian Vazquez was just 1 for 5 with a strikeout but scored a run.

Jonathan Arauz was just 1 for 5 but the one hit was a home run, he also scored 2 total runs.

Garrett Richards allowed a run in 2 1/3 innings.

Honorable Mention:

Franchy Cordero ran for Shaw in the ninth.

Final Thoughts:

It doesn't matter what the situation is, the Rays ALWAYS seem to find ways to win. The Rays had lost their starter after two innings and trailed 7-1 to Chris Sale.....and still found a way to win. The Verdugo error was the catalyst as there's no chance in hell Tampa comes back if the play is made. The error kept the game close and gave Tampa hope to win. Naturally, they did. It should be noted after Sale left the game the Sox bullpen allowed SIX runs. Sox manager Alex Cora burning the A-Team out by July sent the Sox on a path of destruction they couldn't recover from. The Rays needed a clutch hit and got it inning after inning until getting the big one from Lowe that turned out to be the difference in the game. The worst part was the Sox offense did everything right, scoring 10 runs in the game and getting clutch hits of their own. Its unfair to blame Plawecki after sitting on the bench ice cold for 10 innings and come up in a do or die situation. The defense was awful, the pitching was awful and the Rays simply wanted it more. All you can do is tip your cap to Tampa and come back fighting tomorrow. The loss drops the Sox to 79-61, 9 games behind the Rays for first place in the AL East. The Sox look to rebound against the Rays tomorrow night when Eduardo Rodriguez (11-7) takes on Drew Rasmussen of the Rays. The game begins at 7:10 PM at Fenway Park.