After sweeping the Tampa Bay Rays last week at Tropicana Field, the Red Sox were themselves swept in their home ballpark by the Rays, dropping a 5-2 decision to conclude a rain-shortened two-game series.
The Rays jumped on Chris Sale (0-5) for two runs three hitters into the game on a two-run homer by Daniel Robertson, then added two more in the second -- both unearned -- thanks to an error by Rafael Devers.
The Sox managed just two hits through the first five innings before stirring in the sixth. An infield single by Christian Vazquez, a double by Mookie Betts and a sacrifice fly from Mitch Moreland led to a run. In the seventh, a solo homer by Michael Chavis got them to within two runs, but they wasted a two-out double by Jackie Bradley Jr.
The Rays scored an unearned insurance run in the ninth.
WHO: Red Sox vs. Tampa Bay Rays
WHEN: 1:05 p.m.
WHERE: Fenway Park
SERIES TO DATE: Rays 1-0
SEASON SERIES TO DATE: Red Sox 3-1
STARTING PITCHERS: LHP Chris Sale (0-4, 7.43) vs. RHP Tyler Glasnow (4-0, 1.53)
TV/RADIO: NESN; WEEI 93.7 FM
IN-GAME OBSERVATIONS:
3:25 Inexperience at the position on display there as Chavis should never have tried to throw to first. When he did, it was high and wild, allowing the runner to reach and the runner from third to score.
3:14 As per his contractual obligations, Jose Alvarado is in for the Rays. (He actually didn't appear in the first game between the teams, but has pitched in each of the last four.
2:57 Swinging at the first pitch, Chavis crushes a 95 mph fastball into the CF bleachers for his third homer. One thing's clear after his first week or so in the big leagues -- he can handle premium gas.
2:48 Interesting that, trailing 4-1, the Red Sox send Sale back out for the 7th with 100 pitches.
2:45 Sox get on the board with a hard-hit line drive to center by Mitch Moreland, scoring Vazquez from second and sending Betts to third. Easily the hardest-hit ball of the day against Glasnow, but it's an out.
2:40 The Red Sox have one extra-base hit in this series -- a solo homer from Betts in the eighth inning Saturday. Three hits today, all of them singles.
2:13 In the midst of another disappointing offensive showing, Red Sox letting their frustration show at times. Both Benintendi and Devers have slammed helmets after striking out.
2:03 After an error by Rafael Devers in the second led to an unearned run, the Sox get better infield play in the fourth. First, Devers redeems himself with a nice glove stop to his left before throwing -- from the seat of his pants -- to get a force out at second. Then, Bogaerts handles a rocket at his feet and starts a 6-4-3 DP.
1:56 Sox unable to generate much vs. Tyler Glasnow. One hit through first three innings with four strikeouts.
1:32 More trouble for Sale, who gives up a booming triple to the triangle to Yandy Diaz. The pitch was a slider over the middle of the plate.
1:09 Not the start Chris Sale hoped for -- a leadoff double on a changeup to Yandy Diaz and two hitters later, a two-run homer by slumping Daniel Robertson (.169) on four-seamer.
LINEUPS
RED SOX
Benintendi LF
Betts RF
Moreland 1B
Bogaerts SS
Devers 3B
Chavis 2B
Pearce DH
Bradley CF
Vazquez C
RAYS
Diaz 1B
Pham LF
Robertson 2B
Garcia DH
Zunino C
Kiermaier CF
Heredia RF
Adames SS
Arroyo 3B
WHAT'S UP: Every game between the teams this season has been decided by one or two runs...Of the last 51 games between the teams 31 have been decided by a run or two, including 11 of the last 24 by a run...In the last two games, opponents are 1-for-19 against the Red Sox' bullpen....Brandon Workman has limited opposing hitters to 2-for-45 -- both hits have been singles...During his current streak of reaching base in eight straight games, Mookie Betts has a .514 OBP...He has multiple hits in six of his last eight games...Michael Chavis has reached base in 11 of 27 plate appearances....The Sox pitching staff has given up seven hits or fewer in each of the last three games...The Sox have not committed an error in six of their last seven games....Boston starters have allowed three earned runs or fewer in 13 of the last 14 games...After allowing 16 homers in their first nine games, Sox pitchers have allowed nine in the last 18 games...Xander Bogaerts has reached base in each of his last 12 games while hitting safely in 11 of those... Bogaerts has started 26 of the 27 games at shortstop...Rafael Devers has reached in the last 11 games....He has a .375 OBP...Chris Sale is 9-5 with a 2.96 ERA in 18 games in his career vs. Tampa Bay...Avaisail Garcia is 3-for-6 lifetime against Sale while Daniel Robertson and Mike Zunino are a combined 0-for-21...The Sox haven't faced Tyler Glasnow much...Mitch Moreland (2-for-5 with a homer and two RBI against him.
PRE-GAME NOTES:
- J.D. Martinez (back spasms) remains out of the lineup for the second straight day. "He's better, but not better,'' observed Alex Cora, who was unsure whether Martinez would be available off the bench late in the game. He continues to get treatment.
- Dustin Pedroia (knee) will remain with the team through the end of the homestand, then join Double A Portland for a rehab assignment.
- Eduardo Nunez (back) is set to leave after the game to join the Pawsox on the road and begin his own rehab assignment. Cora estimated that Nunez would need 20 or at-bats to get his timing back.
- Brian Johnson (elbow) threw a bullpen that involved only fastballs. Assuming he has no further setbacks, he's expected to throw another bullpen Wednesday, durich which time he'll throw breaking pitches.