(Getty Images)
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.