The Boston Red Sox (61-65) defeated the Tampa Bay Rays (69-56) 9-8 on Friday night at Fenway Park. The loss sees the Rays winning streak snapped at six.
Yandy Diaz homered on the very first pitch of the game, and Ji-Man Choi hit a two-run homer in the second to give the Rays an early 3-0 lead. They led 4-1 before the Red Sox began their comeback, getting two in the fourth and fifth before Xander Bogaerts hit a three-run homer in the sixth to give the Red Sox an 8-4 lead.
Alex Verdugo hit a RBI triple in the seventh to make it 9-4 before the Rays attempted a rally of their own. Jose Siri-s three-run home run in the eighth pulled the Rays within 9-8, but that would be as close as Tampa Bay would get.
The Rays and Red Sox meet in the second game of the three game series. Former Ray Rich Hill will start for the Red Sox, and be opposed by Jeffrey Springs for Tampa Bay. First pitch is scheduled for 4:10 PM - Neil Solondz begins pregame coverage at 3:30 PM on 95.3 WDAE & AM 620.
PHOTO COURTESY GETTY IMAGES