Rays Beat Red Sox 5-2
BOSTON -- Evan Longoria's sacrifice fly in the sixth inning allowed the tying and go-ahead runs to cross the plate and the Tampa Bay Rays held on for a 5-2 win over the Boston Red Sox in the second of a three-game midweek series Tuesday night at Fenway Park.
The Rays' third baseman lofted a ball to deep right field with two outs in the sixth, letting designated hitter Richie Shaffer tag from third to tie it at 2-2. Left fielder Brandon Guyer also scored as Red Sox right fielder Mookie Betts' throw sailed over the catcher and out of play.
Mikie Mahtook put the game out of reach with a two-run home run in the eighth, as the Tampa Bay center fielder launched a pitch over the Green Monster in left to make it 5-2.
Tampa Bay right fielder Steven Souza Jr. also drove in a run on a sacrifice fly, helping the Rays (73-78) reclaim fourth place in the AL East after Boston's 8-7 come-from-behind win Monday.
Rays left-hander Matt Moore (2-4) lasted 6 2/3 innings, giving up two runs on seven hits and two walks and striking out seven.
Tampa Bay right-hander Brad Boxberger closed out the game for his 36th save.
Boston (72-78) returned to the AL East cellar despite a strong start for left-hander Henry Owens, who posted zeroes in his first four innings before wilting. Owens (3-3) surrendered all five runs, four of which were earned, on seven hits and two walks and struck out five.
Red Sox first baseman Travis Shaw drove in both of his team's runs and shortstop Xander Bogaerts extended his hitting streak to 11 games with a leadoff double in the third.
Boston designated hitter David Ortiz, baseball's newest member of the 500-home run club, was 0-for-3 with a walk and is now hitless in his last 12 at-bats.
Boston loaded the bases with one out in the first inning, and Shaw laced a two-run double to right field to put the Red Sox up 2-0.
Owens held the Rays hitless and had four strikeouts through four innings before second baseman Logan Forsythe's leadoff double in the fifth.
Souza Jr. brought him home with a one-out sacrifice fly, bringing Tampa Bay within a run.
NOTES: Red Sox 3B Pablo Sandoval missed his second straight game with a "severe" upper respiratory infection and will miss a few more days, interim manager Torey Lovullo said. ... Boston LHP Henry Owens made his first career start against Tampa Bay on Tuesday. ... Rays CF Kevin Kiermaier was not in the lineup against a left-handed pitcher Tuesday. OF Mikie Mahtook started in center field. ... Tampa Bay shut down RHP Nathan Karns (forearm tightness) for the rest of the season. Karns and Rays manager Kevin Cash said the injury isn't serious, per the Tampa Bay Times. ... Red Sox RHP Rick Porcello (8-13, 5.16 ERA) opposes Rays LHP Drew Smyly (3-2, 3.64 ERA) in Wednesday's series finale.
