Rays: 5, Red Sox: 8 - Another Day, Another Blown Lead

Rays fall under .500 (again)

Lets try to avoid a sweep by the Red Sox, yes?

In the bottom of the 2nd inning, after an Isaac Parades walk, Jonathan Aranada hit a double that aaaaaalmost was a HR, and with the Redsox infield pulled in, Jose Caballero hit a single through to score the first runs of the game.

Another walk and a sac fly move the runners over, and Yandy Diaz gets a RBI groundout to give the Rays an early 3-0 lead.

Lets see if we can keep this lead?

In the bottom of the 2nd inning, Josh Lowe was surprisingly lifted for Johnny DeLuca. Afterwards, it was reported as a “tweaked right side” for Lowe, but after the game, Kevin Cash clarified:

Ryan Pepiot was doing well through the first four innings, but things fell apart in the 5th inning. It opened with a walk and a HBP, and then a single score the Red Sox’ first run.

From here, Cash came out to pull Pepiot with a surprisingly quick hook, but with his recent reinstating from the IL, being extra cautions should be worthwhile.

Pepiot’s final line: 4.0 IP, 2 H, 3 ER, 4 BB, and 3 Ks on 66 pitches.

“oh but Jared, you said Pepiot had 3 ER and you’ve only shown us 1 ER”

Yeah about that. Cash called upon newly acquired Richard Lovelady, who got a strikeout to start his outing, but a Conner Wong single scored Pepiots inherited runners to tie the game.

Lovelady got another out thanks to a groundout at the plate by Yandy, but the damage was done, and Cash called upon Kevin Kelley to try to get the final out.

Kelly did get the final out, but not before giving up back-to-back singles to give the Red Sox the lead.

Red Sox lead 5 to 3 after 5 innings.

Kelly was back out for the top of the 6th inning, and although got the first out (and probably should’ve gotten the second out to start the inning, but a throwing error by Parades allowed the runner to reach) Kelly then gave up a Jarren Duran double to score one, and a Wilyer Aybar HR to break it open for the Red Sox.

Red Sox lead 8-3.

Rays did get a couple of runs back, one in the 7th inning off a Johnny DeLuca single, and another in the 9th with a Yandy HR, but it was truly too little too late.

Red Sox complete the sweep, lose their 4th game in a row, and fall back under .500 on the season.

Next game is on Friday against the red hot Royals with Seth Lugo taking the mound for Kansas City and TBD for Tampa Bay. Gametime is at 6:05 PM ET.