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Final: Rays 4, Red Sox 1 - Tampa takes the series, Sox struggle on home stand
After sweeping the Red Sox in four games at Tropicana Field earlier this season, the Rays came into Fenway Park and took three-of-four games and Boston sits at .500 for the first time since April. Shane McClanahan out dueled Brayan Bello en route to his ninth win of the season. The Sox offense was held to six hits and one run, Justin Turner hit his seventh home run this season in bottom of the sixth inning. Boston threatened a few times but double plays ended their scoring chances. Alex Cora was ejected in the top of the ninth arguing balls and strikes.
"I think he (home plate umpire) missed one in the previous inning, that he really missed. It was a rule pitch. It changed the whole complexion of the at-bat. The first pitch to Ref (Refsnyder), it was a pitch violation. If we're going to play this game with the clock and all this stuff, we have to call it the right way. The other ones, I get it. The 1-0 count with first and second with two outs, it's a different at-bat and that one either is a ball or it's a pitch... and it was a ball," said Cora to reporters postgame.
WHO: Rays (43-19) at Red Sox (30-30)
WHEN: 4:05 p.m.
WHERE: FenwayPark, Boston.
SERIES TO DATE: Rays lead series 7-1.
STARTING PITCHERS: RHP Brayan Bello (3-3, 3.89 ERA) vs. LHP Shane McClanahan (8-1, 2.07 ERA)
TV/RADIO: NESN; WEEI-FM 93.7
LINEUPS
RED SOX
1. Rob Refsnyder LF
2. Alex Verdugo RF
3. Justin Turner 1B
4. Rafael Devers 3B
5. Masataka Yoshida DH
6. Kiké Hernández CF
7. Pablo Reyes SS
8. Connor Wong C
9. Christian Arroyo 2B
SP Brayan Bello
RAYS
1. Yandy Díaz DH
2. Wander Franco SS
3. Josh Lowe RF
4. Isaac Peredes 1B
5. Taylor Walls 3B
6. Brooks Raley LF
7. Manuel Margot CF
8. Vidal Bruján 2B
9. Francisco Mejía C
SP Shane McClanahan
WHAT'S UP
Boston is coming off an embarrassing game on Sunday where the defensive played careless baseball. ... The Sox have lost two consecutive games after winning the previous two. With the loss to the Rays, the Sox are now 8-9 versus the AL East and are 7-3 versus the division at home. ... Prior to the game, the Red Sox announced they've designated outfielder Raimel Tapia for assignment. The team will activate infielder Christian Arroyo off the injured list and he will start at second base this afternoon. ... Brayan Bello will be on the hill for the series finale making his third career start against the Rays. He owns a 10.13 ERA (9 ER/8.0 IP) with seven strikeouts in those two career starts.
WHO'S HOT
Justin Garza continues to be bright spot: Garza has made nine appearances for the Sox. Garza has posted a 1.00 ERA with allowed one run. Over that span, opponents are hitting .097 against him and are struggling to make hard contact. He tossed 1 1/3 scoreless innings in relief in Game 2 of the doubleheader on Saturday, he's retired 26 of his 34 batters faced.
Nick Pivetta has been solid in relief: Pivetta made it clear he had no interest in moving to the bullpen. The right-hander recorded a 6.30 ERA in eight starts, allowing 28 earned runs over the course of 40 innings. His performance forced the Sox' hand he was moved to the bullpen.
Over the last four outings, Pivetta has tossed at least two innings in three of five relief appearances and that has not gone unnoticed by Alex Cora.
“Throwing strikes, I think that’s the most important thing,” Cora said pregame to reporters on Sunday morning. “His fastball command is a lot better than when he was starting. I don’t know what’s gonna happen with time. If we can stretch him out and then he comes back into the rotation or we keep him there but as far as like fastball command, this is the best in a while from him.”
WHO'S COLD
Rafael Devers can't hit the Rays: Devers has struggled against Rays pitching in the seven games they've played against each other. He finished 0-for-4 on Sunday and has only one hit this against the Rays (one homer). He is 1-for-21 (.048) in six games with nine strikeouts and a .190 SLG%.
PRE-GAME NOTES
Christian Arroyo activated from IL: Arroyo was initially placed on the injured list on May 7 with a right hamstring strain. He completed six rehab games with the WooSox making three starts at second base, one at shortstop and two as the designated assignment.
Raimel Tapia designated for assignment: Tapia played 39 games for the Sox this season, he batted .264 (23-for-87), played all three outfield positions and was one of Cora's top pinch-hitters this season. He was 4-for-13 (.308) with one double, one homer and four RBIs.
Ryan Brasier has found a new home, signing with the Dodgers on a minor-league deal. The 35-year-old was released by the Sox on May 21 after struggling for the majority of the 2023 season. Prior to being released, Brasier posted a 7.29 ERA in 20 appearances.
Matt Dermody skipped his scheduled start with the WooSox last Saturday and is with the team and could make the trip to Cleveland. Dermody is currently not on the 40-man roster and a move will need to be made to add him on. This season, the southpaw is 2-2 with a 4.50 ERA and 47 strikeouts with a 1.34 WHIP in nine games. Earlier this season, Dermody threw an immaculate inning against the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders. He struck out a career high 11 batters in seven innings of work.
QUOTE OF NOTE
Following the Sox 6-2 loss to the Rays on Sunday, Cora took accountability for his team's lackluster defense on the field.
“We gotta keep preaching good defense, we gotta coach them. At the end, it’s on me, you know,” said Cora. “I’m the manager of this club, and we’ve been sloppy. So, it’s not about pointing fingers, right? The roster is the roster and we have to play better baseball. I’m the manager of this team and defensively we’re not good.”
RAYS NOTES
Luke Raley has reached base safely in a career-high 10 straight games since 5/21, slashing .280/.455/.640 (7-for-25) with three doubles, two homers, five RBIs, 10 runs, five walks, four steals.
Yandy Díaz has reached base safely in 16 straight games against AL East opponents dating back to 4/15/23, batting .295 (18-for-61) with six doubles, two homers, 11 RBIs and 12 runs during the streak.
Shane McClanahan will make his seventh career start against Boston; he is 4-1 with a 2.36 ERA (34.1IP, 9ER) while holding Red Sox hitters to a .208/.261/.256 (26-for-125) line in his previous six outings. He went 3-0 with a 1.96 ERA (18 1/3 innings, four earned runs), 22 strikeouts and four walks in three starts opposite Boston, all at Tropicana Field. In his only career regular season start at Fenway Park on 9/8/21, he threw 5.0 scoreless frames, permitting three hits (five innings, three hits, no runs, a walk, three strikeouts).
UPCOMING SERIES
The Red Sox will travel to Cleveland for a three game series with the Guardians. The Sox will open the series with left-hander James Paxton on the mound on Tuesday night. Cora hasn't announced what his rotation will look like for the remainder of the series but Kutter Crawford could earn a start and the Sox could add Dermody for the series finale.