The Tampa Bay Rays (96-62) defeated the Boston Red Sox (76-81) 9-7 on Tuesday evening at Fenway Park.
They built a big early lead thanks to a three-run first inning and a four-run third inning. In the third, Rene Pinto's two-run shot made the score 7-0 and looked as though the game could be a blowout.
The Red Sox made the game interesting by getting three runs in the fifth, two in in the sixth and one in the seventh to pull within 7-6. In the top of the eighth the Rays answered with RBIs from Harold Ramirez and Jonathan Aranda to make it 9-6.
Boston got one back in the ninth to pull within 9-7 but that would be as close as they would get.
Zach Eflin (16-8, 3.50) got the start and allowed three earned runs on five hits in five innings of work while striking out four and walking none. Pete Fairbanks earned his 25th save by striking out the side in the ninth inning.
The Rays and Red Sox meet in the second game of a short two-game series on Wednesday. Tyler Glasnow (9-7, 3.66) will get the start for the Rays, opposed by Brayan Bello (12-10, 4.11) for Boston. Fist pitch is scheduled for 6:10 PM - Ronnie & T-Kras begin pregame coverage at 5:00 PM on 95.3 WDAE & AM 620.
PHOTO COURTESY GETTY IMAGES