Game Recap: Red Sox Drop Series Opener to Rays

The Boston Red Sox lost their series opener to the Tampa Bay Rays 8-4 tonight.

Tampa Bay got on the board in the top of the second inning. Ben Williamson singled, Cedric Mullins singled, and Yandy Díaz hit a sacrifice fly, each scoring one run. The Red Sox tied the game in the bottom of the second thanks to a single by Ceddanne Rafaela, a fielder’s choice by Connor Wong, and a single by Caleb Durbin.

Tampa Bay took the lead in the top of the sixth. Chandler Simpson singled, scoring two runs, to give the Rays the edge, 5-3. Tampa Bay scored two runs in the top of the ninth. Junior Caminero hit a two-run home run.

Hunter Bigge earned the win for the Rays. The righty allowed zero hits and zero runs over two innings, striking out one and walking none. Jake Bennett took the loss for Boston. The southpaw went five and one-third innings, allowing four runs on six hits, striking out one and walking two. Once again, the game was blown by Greg Weissert, who has struggled this season. Griffin Jax opened the game for the Rays. The righty surrendered four hits and three runs over four innings, striking out three and walking one.

Player of the Game

Chandler Simpson entered as a pinch hitter and went 2-2 with three RBI. He had a two-RBI single and an RBI triple to help lead the Rays.