Final: Red Sox 3, Rays 5 - Red Sox unable to score past the 1st inning in loss to the Tampa Bay Rays

Trevor's Game Notes

Early Firepower: The 1st inning showcased a majority of the scoring, as the Rays and Red Sox both tallied 3 runs in the inning. Amed Rosario started the scoring hitting a double to bring home 2 runs and would eventually be tagged in by Richie Palacios. The Red Sox would come back to tie the game a half an inning later when Tyler O'Neill hit a 3-run home run to left field. His 10th home run ties him for 7th most home runs in the MLB. 

Consistent hitting: After the 1st inning, the Red Sox were unable to produce anymore runs. Boston did finish the game with 8 hits, 2 less than the Rays, but couldn't score when they had runners on base. Most of their hits and on base production came from singles and walks, getting a few doubles as well. 

Bounce back pitching: After giving up 3 runs off 30+ pitches in the 1st inning, Kutter Crawford managed to pitch 6 innings only allowing 1 other run in the 4th inning to Jose Siri off a sacrifice fly to left field. This is the most runs Crawford allowed this year, now bringing his ERA up to 2.24.

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WHO: Red Sox (21-19) vs. Tampa Bay Rays (20-21)
WHEN: 7:10 p.m.
WHERE: Fenway Park, Boston
SERIES TO DATE: 2-11 in 2023
STARTING PITCHERS: Kutter Crawford (2-1, 1.75) vs. Zach Eflin (2-4, 3.75)
TV/RADIO: NESN, WEEI-FM 93.7

LIVE BOX

LINEUPS

RED SOX

Jarren Duran (L) LF
Wilyer Abreu (L) RF
Connor Wong (R) C
Rafael Devers (L) 3B
Tyler O'Neill (R) DH
Dominic Smith (L) 1B
Vaughn Grissom (R) 2B
Romy Gonzalez (R) SS
Ceddanne Rafaela (R) CF

SP Kutter Crawford

Rays

Yandy Díaz (R) 1B
Randy Arozarena (R) LF
Josh Lowe (L) RF
Harold Ramírez (R) DH
Amed Rosario (R) 3B
Richie Palacios (L) 2B
José Caballero (R) SS
Alex Jackson (R) C
Jose Siri (R) CF

SP Zach Eflin

WHAT'S UP

The Red Sox won their second straight victory Sunday afternoon. Brayan Bello pitched five innings (68 pitches) in his first start since April 19. Kenley Jansen picked up his seventh save of the season with a scoreless ninth inning. The Red Sox closer pitched in every game of the series against the Nationals, marking the first time he pitched in three straight games since September 2021.

Despite losing two of three games against the New York Yankees,Tampa Bay is coming into the game off a 6-3 homestand. The Rays surrendered five home runs during Sunday's 10-6 loss.

Red Sox starter Garrett Whitlock (left oblique strain) is still on track to make a rehab start Wednesday for Triple-A Worcester at Polar Park. The right was placed on the 15-day injured list April 17. According to Alex Cora, Whitlock is scheduled to pitch 3 innings, possibly not needing a second rehab start. Cora also confirmed that Whitlock will return as a starter, not a reliever.

Red Sox first baseman Triston Casas has “started to do stuff in the weight room,” Cora said. Casas has partial fractured cartilage that connects his ribcage to his sternum. He is currently on the 60-day IL and is not eligible to return until June 21 at the earliest. 

 Connor Wong will bat third in the Red Sox lineup today. This is the first time he has started a game in the three hole during his career. He has made 10 starts in the fifth spot this season. The 27-year-old catcher has been one of Boston’s top hitters this season, batting .348 with a .379 on-base percentage, .562 slugging percentage, .941 OPS, five homers, four doubles, 14 RBIs, 10 runs, three walks and 20 strikeouts in 95 plate appearances. 

The Red Sox plan to have Josh Winckowski be a part of Worcester’s starting rotation after they demoted him to Triple-A on Sunday. Boston needed to clear a roster spot for Brayan Bello who they activated from the 15-day IL. “This decision was based on the roster and what we feel we need right now to win as many games as possible right now and obviously for him to be better,” manager Alex Cora said. The Red Sox chose to demote Winckowski over righty Zack Kelly and lefties Brennan Bernardino and Cam Booser, all of whom began the season at Worcester and also have minor league options.