Red Sox vs Rays Recap: Rays rally tops Boston 4-3

The Red Sox came into Tropicana Field hungry for a win. They'd lost three straight and needed to bounce back after dropping the opener 1-3 Monday night. Tampa Bay sat at 39-25, riding a two-game winning streak. Nick Martinez took the mound for the Rays. In the top of the third inning, Jarren Duran smacked a single to center field, scoring Isiah Kiner-Falefa. Boston led 1-0. You could feel the Red Sox building something. But Tampa Bay had other ideas. The Rays' bats woke up in the fourth inning—and they didn't stop swinging. Cedric Mullins ripped a single to right, and Ryan Vilade scored to tie the game at 1-1. Then Ben Williamson hammered a double down the left field line. Mullins scored easily. Nick Fortes doubled after that, driving in Williamson. Suddenly, the Rays led 3-1. It happened so fast. One inning changed everything.

The game stayed at 3-1 heading into the sixth inning. Payton Tolle was pitching for Boston and he'd already given up three runs through four innings. In the bottom of the sixth, Tampa Bay struck again. Richie Palacios stepped up with two outs and nobody on. He singled to center field, driving in Ben Williamson, who'd been on base. That made it 4-1 Rays. Boston was in trouble now. The Red Sox needed a spark. In the eighth inning, Marcelo Mayer came through. He crushed a double to right field, and it was a big one. Isiah Kiner-Falefa scored from second base. Caleb Durbin scored from second too. Suddenly Boston had two runs in and cut the lead to 4-3. The Red Sox had life again. Would they catch up?

The Red Sox had clawed back to make it 4-3 in the eighth. Boston's bats were still dangerous. But Nick Martinez kept his cool on the mound for Tampa Bay. He threw seven innings total, giving up six hits and three runs. The bullpen took over in the ninth. Kevin Kelly and Bryan Baker came in to finish the job. Bryan Baker recorded the save, shutting the door on any Red Sox comeback hopes. The final score was Tampa Bay 4, Boston 3. The Rays improved to 39-25 with this win. Boston fell to 27-38. For the Red Sox, this was a tough loss. They had the lead early. They made it close late. But they couldn't find that final spark. Tampa Bay proved they could come back. The Rays now ride a three-game winning streak. Boston heads home needing answers.