FINAL: Rays 9, Red Sox 7 - Boston almost overcomes early deficit after Houck struggles

The Rays got to Tanner Houck early and often, tagging him for seven runs (six earned) on 10 hits, including a home run, through the first three innings. The Red Sox rallied admirably, pulling to within 7-6, but ultimately fell 9-7. Enmanuel Valdez led the way for Boston’s comeback attempt, coming a triple shy of the cycle as he went 3-for-4 with four RBI and a run. His three-run homer in the fifth sparked the offensive flurry for the Sox. 

––––––––––––––––––––––––––

WHO: Red Sox (76-80) vs. Rays (95-62)
WHEN: 7:10 p.m.
WHERE: Fenway Park
SERIES TO DATE: 
STARTING PITCHERS: RHP Tanner Houck (5-9, 4.92) vs. RHP Zach Eflin (15-8, 3.44)
TV/RADIO: NESN, WEEI-FM 93.7

LIVE BOX

LINEUPS

RED SOX

1. Alex Verdugo RF
2. Rafael Devers 3B
3. Justin Turner DH
4. Masataka Yoshida LF
5. Trevor Story SS
6. Wilyer Abreu CF
7. Bobby Dalbec
8. Enmanuel Valdez 2B
9. Reese McGuire C

SP Tanner Houck

RAYS

1. Jonathan Aranda 1B
2. Junior Caminero 3B
3. Isaac Paredes DH
4. Josh Lowe RF
5. Curtis Mead 2B
6. Manuel Margot CF
7. Raimel Tapia LF
8. Taylor Walls SS
9. Rene Pinto C

SP Zach Eflin

WHAT'S UP

The Red Sox will open their final series of the season at Fenway Park on Tuesday as the Rays come to town for a two-game set. Boston has five games remaining on the season. 

The Sox have lost 10 of 13 and 19 of 26. They are a season-high four games below .500. 

Tampa is 5-5 over their last 10 games as part of a 13-10 stretch in September.

The Rays are without Yandy Diaz, Randy Arozarena, Robert Stephenson, Jose Siri and Brandon Lowe due to injury. 

Houck will make his third career start against Tampa, previously going 0-2 with a 6.30 ERA. He last faced Tampa in a 6-2 loss on June 4, allowing four runs (earned) on five hits and four walks with six strikeouts over 5.0 innings. 

His last outing snapped a streak of three straight starts of at least 5.0 innings, giving up two runs (earned) on three hits (one homer) and four walks with four strikeouts over 4.0 innings of a 6-4 loss at Texas on Sept. 19. 

Eflin will make his fourth career start against Boston. He previously has a 6.43 ERA over 14 innings. He last faced Boston on Sept. 5, giving up three runs (earned) on five hits (one homer) and one walk with seven strikeouts over 5.0 innings of an 8-6 win in extras. 

His last outing came in a 5-4 win against the Angels in which he gave up two runs (earned) on six hits and a walk with 10 K's over 5.0 innings of work.