The Tampa Bay Rays could not hold a three-run sixth-inning lead, as the bullpen allowed the Boston Red Sox to rally late for a 4-3 decision that ends a eight-game winning streak.
BULLPEN WALKS LEAD TO BLOWN LEAD: After getting the final two outs in the fifth, right-hander Andrew Kittredge could not find the strike zone in the sixth, as Eduardo Nunez reached on an infield single, Andrew Benintendi walked on four pitches and Hanley Ramirez singled to load the bases. J.D. Martinez singled in Nunez and Benintendi to turn a 3-0 lead to a 3-2 advantage, and Kittredge walked Mitch Moreland on four pitches to reload the bases before exiting.
Sergio Romo allowed a sacrifice fly to Jackie Bradley Jr. that tied the game, but escaped with the game still tied.
Alex Colome was asked to come on in the eighth because of a short bullpen. He gave up a leadoff single to Martinez, but then walked Bradley with two out to push Martinez in to scoring position, and Sandy Leon singled to left to break the tie.
SPAN HOMERS AGAIN TO GIVE RAYS LEAD: Red Sox starter Rick Porcello was perfect through the first two innings, but gave up a base hit to Adeiny Hechavarria to begin the third, and two batters later Denard Span, who hit an inside-the-park home run off David Price Saturday, took Porcello out of the park Sunday for his third home run of the season and the first allowed by the Boston right-hander this year.
Mallex Smith added a base hit off Porcello in the fourth that brought in Brad Miller to give Tampa Bay a 3-0 advantage.
ANDRIESE: VENTERS GET THE JOB DONE: Tampa Bay starter Matt Andriese pitched into the fourth inning, needing 57 pitches to get ten outs after not having gone more than 2 2/3 innings in any of his seven appearances out of the bullpen all year. He allowed just two hits, both to Martinez, and struck out three before leaving. Jonny Venters, making his second appearance back from Tommy John surgery, retired both Moreland and Rafael Devers to end the fourth, then got Bradley to ground out before being replaced by Kittredge.
MONDAY'S MATCHUP
Rays at Detroit Tigers, 7:10 p.m. first pitch, coverage on WDAE begins at 6:00 p.m. with The Inside Pitch presented by Crown Eurocars
Rays starter - RHP Jake Faria (1-1, 6.33 ERA)
Tigers starter - RHP Jordan Zimmermann (1-0, 7.91 ERA)
UPCOMING SCHEDULE
Tuesday - Rays at Tigers, 7:10 p.m. first pitch
Wednesday - Rays at Tigers, 7:10 p.m. first pitch
Thursday - OFF