Final: Red Sox 3 vs. Tampa Bay Rays 4 - Red Sox lose lead in the 6th inning, unable to get hits with runners on base

Trevor's Game Notes:

RISP: The Red Sox are unable to score with runners in scoring position. This has been their biggest flaw as a team this season, and it was apparent in this game. Today, Boston's offense came from the top of their order. Jaren Duran hit 2 doubles, scoring the 1st run for the Red Sox off a sacrifice fly from Colton Wong. Wilyer Abreu and Rafael Devers would both hit solo home runs in this game. Most of the Sox's lineup got on base, but either weren't in scoring position or failed to get driven in. Tyler O'Neill struggled the most at the plate, striking out 4 times in the game. 

Errors: Boston recorded 2 errors in the game, and both came to bite them. Tampa Bay tied the game in the 4th inning after Garrett Cooper missed a bouncing ground ball at 1st. Another error from Wong in the 6th inning put runners in scoring position for the Rays, resulting in them scoring their 3rd and 4th runs of the game, extending their lead.

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WHO: Red Sox (22-20) vs. Tampa Bay Rays (21-22)
WHEN: 7:10 p.m.
WHERE: Fenway Park, Boston
SERIES TO DATE: 1-1 (1-1/0-0)
STARTING PITCHERS: RHP Tanner Houck (3-4, 2.24) vs. RHP Taj Bradley (0-1, 1.50)
TV/RADIO: NESN, MLB Network, WEEI-FM 93.7

LIVE BOX

LINEUPS

RED SOX

Jarren Duran (L) CF
Wilyer Abreu (L) RF
Connor Wong (R) C
Rafael Devers (L) 3B
Tyler O'Neill (R) LF
Dominic Smith (L) DH
Garrett Cooper (R) 1B
David Hamilton (L) 2B
Ceddanne Rafaela (R) SS

SP Tanner Houck

Rays

Yandy Díaz (R) 1B
Josh Lowe (L) DH
Randy Arozarena (R) LF
Jonathan Aranda (L) 2B
Isaac Paredes (R) 3B
Richie Palacios (L) RF
José Caballero (R) SS
Ben Rortvedt (L) C
Jose Siri (R) CF

SP Taj Bradley

WHAT'S UP

The Red Sox have won 3 of their last 4 games.They’re 8-7 in their last 15. Boston beat the Rays last night, 5-4, on a walk-off RBI single by Romy Gonzalez in the 12th inning. It was their 2nd walk-off win of the season and Gonzalez’s 1st career walk-off RBI. It was the Sox’ longest game by innings since 9/16/23 at Toronto (13 innings) and their longest game at Fenway Park since 4/6/21 vs. Tampa Bay (also 12 innings).

Gonzalez entered as a pinch runner in the bottom of the 10th inning. He remained in the game at first base, a position he has played just one other time in the major leagues (May 8 at Atlanta). He logged just 14 starts at first base in the minors. “He’s getting used to first,” Cora said. “He can play the outfield. He can play second, short and third. He’s a good hitter" said Alex Cora.

Brennan Bernardino earned his 2nd win of the season after stranding the automatic runner in the 12th inning last night vs. TB (1.0 IP, BB, SO). He has allowed 0 ER in his last 13 outings (13.2 IP, 4-for-41, .098 AVG).

Red Sox catchers have thrown out 6 of 10 attempted base stealers over their last 4 games. They threw out 3 of 31 attempted base stealers in their first 38 games.

Garrett Whitlock made a rehab start for the Worcester Red Sox on Wednesday morning at Polar Park. He went 4 ⅔ innings and gave up two hits, zero runs, walked on and struck out five. Forty of his 61 pitches were strikes.