All you need to know, in quickie form, about the Red Sox' loss to the Rays, complete with BSJ analysis and insight:
HEADLINES
Another night … another disheartening loss
At long last, things seemed to be working out in the Red Sox’ favor on Thursday night.
For as ugly and demoralizing as the first three contests in Boston’s four-game set at Tropicana Field were, fortune seemed to finally favor Boston in the finale, especially with Kutter Crawford cruising on the mound.
Through six innings, the Sox appeared to be in command — with Rafael Devers (a fourth-inning solo shot) and Xander Bogaerts (an RBI double in the sixth) helping build a 3-0 lead for the visitors, and Crawford making quick work of the Rays' lineup.
But in the top of the seventh, Alex Cora opted to ride the hot hand in Crawford, rather than turn to his bullpen for the final nine outs of the evening. It didn’t go as planned, to say the least.
Crawford ultimately faced three batters in the seventh, giving up a double, two singles and a run scored before getting pulled in favor of John Schreiber. But even with arguably their best reliever on the mound, the Sox were unable to shift the momentum back in their favor — as Schreiber surrendered a game-tying, two-run single to Taylor Walls before eventually coughing up a two-run single to Yandy Diaz to put the home team in front.
Tampa’s five-run salvo in the seventh was all that it ended up needing, as Boston eventually fell to the Rays, 5-4, to complete an embarrassing four-game sweep down in St. Petersburg.
With the loss, the Red Sox have now dropped 12 of their last 17 games — with each defeat almost more painful than the last.
Sox plummeting in the standings
If there was ever a team that needed the All-Star Break, it’s this Red Sox squad.
Thanks to Boston’s freefall over the last few weeks (2-8 in their last 10 games), coupled with some absurd surges by both the Mariners and Orioles, the Sox and Blue Jays are now tied for third in the AL Wild Card standings — with Tampa and Seattle holding onto the top-two spots and the O's sitting just 1.5 games back.
And with Boston’s road ahead not getting any easier with three games at Yankee Stadium this weekend, the Sox could lose even more ground in a suddenly crowded Wild-Card race.
And yes, perhaps Boston can lick its wounds during next week’s break. But sooner or later, the Sox need to start landing punches against the rest of their division — considering that 41 of their remaining 72 games are against the AL East.
TURNING POINT
Yes, Cora’s decision to stick with Crawford in the seventh inning is the obvious pick here. But we’ll go for another failed opportunity for a plummeting Red Sox team.
As disheartening as this game was, Boston still had a chance to tie things up in the ninth — with a single from Bogaerts and an RBI double from Alex Verdugo (that was just a few feet from clearing the fence) making it a one-run game with a runner in scoring position and zero outs.
But alas, the Sox were unable to complete their rally, with Christian Vazquez popping out, Bobby Dalbec fanning and Jeter Downs grounding out to short to end the contest.
TWO UP
Xander Bogaerts: After Jarren Duran scored on a wild pitch in the top of the sixth, Bogaerts gave Boston what was thought to be some much-needed insurance with an RBI double out to center. Bogaerts went 2-for-4 at the plate in the loss.
Kutter Crawford: Yes, the seventh inning was what it was, but Crawford was fantastic through the first six innings — tossing a shutout and keeping the Rays off-balance for most of the night. A shame the game went sideways on a young pitcher who has, all things considered, been very effective over his last three appearances (2.20 ERA).
THREE DOWN
Alex Cora: Yes, Crawford might have been on a roll after six shutout innings, but the righty had never gone beyond 5 1/3 innings or thrown more than 88 pitches in a major-league outing so far this season. Perhaps Chaim Bloom and the Sox top brass also deserve a knock here, considering that Cora had little faith in his beleaguered bullpen in this one.
John Schreiber: You know things are bad when even Schreiber appears mortal on the mound. In total, the Rays crossed the plate four times after Schreiber entered the game, with the reliever knocked for two earned runs of his own.
RISP: Boston’s seventh-inning meltdown will steal most of the headlines, but the Sox also failed to break this one open multiple times, going just 1-for-10 with runners in scoring position.
QUOTE OF NOTE
“He was throwing the ball well. It just happened fast. Knowing where we’re going tomorrow, we were thinking of being aggressive with Schreiber and Tanner. But we didn’t get to Tanner.” - Alex Cora on sticking with Crawford in the seventh
STATISTICALLY SPEAKING
This stands as just the second time this season that the Red Sox have been swept. (May 6 - May 8 vs. White Sox).
Before tonight, John Schreiber had not allowed a run since May 27. His seventh-inning struggles ended a streak of 17 1/3 shutout innings of work.
Boston is now 11-24 against AL East teams this season.
Boston is now just 12-15 in one-run games this season.
The Red Sox have blown the lead in 21 of their 43 losses this season.
UP NEXT
The Red Sox will now head up to New York for a three-game set at Yankee Stadium. RHP Nathan Eovaldi (4-2, 3.16 ERA) is expected to start for Boston, while New York will counter with Jordan Montgomery (3-2, 3.19 ERA). First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m.