The Tampa Bay Rays (69-44) defeated the Boston Red Sox (65-50) 8-4 on Tuesday night at Fenway Park. The win is the fifth straight for the Rays, who now are lead Boston by five games for first place in the American League East.
The Rays fell behind 4-1 after Hunter Renfroe hit a three-run homer in the fourth inning for Boston. The Rays began their comeback in a sixth inning, then Ji-Man Choi tied the game with a two-run double in the seventh inning that made it 4-4.
In the ninth inning the Rays were able to break it open as Francisco Mejia drove in three runs on a RBI single. Brandon Lowe added a solo home run that made it 8-4 and the Rays won continued to stay hot and push their lead in the AL East to five games.
Luis Patino got the start on the mound, and allowed four runs, all of them earned, on six hits in six innings while striking out seven and walking three. Andrew Kittredge (8-1, 1.33) got the win with two scoreless innings out of the bullpen.
The Rays and Red Sox now meet in the second game of their three game series on Wednesday night. First pitch Wednesday is scheduled for 7:10 - pregame coverage begins with Neil Solondz at 6:30 PM on 95.3 WDAE & AM 620.
PHOTO COURTESY GETTY IMAGES