Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 6, 2023 4:23:44 GMT -5
Red Sox drop third straight as Rays continue to dominate them home and away
Updated: Jun. 05, 2023, 6:53 p.m.|Published: Jun. 05, 2023, 6:42 p.m.
By
Sean McAdam | sean.mcadam@masslive.com
BOSTON - The venue, it would seem, is irrelevant. Whether the backdrop is Tropicana Field or Fenway Park, the Tampa Bay Rays have exhibited their clear dominance of the Red Sox this season.
After sweeping the Sox in a four-game set at home in April, the Rays finished off a series win of the Red Sox at Fenway Monday, pinning a 4-1 decision on them to take the series three games to one. The Rays 7-1 record against Boston helps partly explain their 12-game edge over the Sox in the AL East standings.
In a scoreless game through four innings, the Rays erupted for three runs in the sixth as they strung together five hits in the span of six hitters against Sox starter Brayan Bello. A few were hard-hit, but most of the hits were the result of balls snaking through the infield or bloopers which found same grass in the outfield.
Still, Bello, who fanned the first three hitters of the game, seemed unable to get the big swing-and-miss when he needed it to turn halt the Rays’ rally.
The Red Sox offense was subdued in the early going, with Tampa Bay ace lefty Shane McClanahan limiting them to a single run over the first six innings.
The lone Red Sox run came in the sixth when Justin Turner cranked his seventh homer of the season, a line shot into the Monster Seats with one out.
Otherwise, the Sox enjoyed few scoring threats, and on the odd occasions when they did, double plays took them out of innings. In the first, before McClanahan could settle in, he issued two walks to the first three hitters he faced. But Rafael Devers hit into an inning-ending double play on the first pitch he saw.
In the fifth, the Sox got a two-out double from Christian Arroyo, making his return to the lineup after missing time with a strained hamstring. But when Rob Refsnyder grounded to short, Arroyo was left stranded in scoring position.
Defense shines for a change
After a brutal defensive showing the day earlier, the Red Sox actually turned in a couple of web gems in the early innings, twice robbing the Rays of home runs.
First, with a runner on first and one out in the second, Luke Raley drove a ball to The Triangle. Kiké Hernandez drifted over, ,and nearing the wall of the home bullpen, leaped up to snare the ball, taking away what would have been a two-run homer.
An inning later, with one out and the bases empty, it was Alex Verdugo’s time to shine. Catcher Francisco Mejia hit a high twisting fly ball down the right field line. Verdugo ventured over near the wall, just beyond the foul pole, and reached into the stands to glove the ball, emerging with it secure.
Pivetta scuffles
In his last bullpen appearance, Nick Pivetta was as sharp as could be, fanning the side last Thursday against the Cincinnati Reds and needing just 13 pitches.
Monday’s outing was nothing like that, as Pivetta issued three walks in the span of five batters, the last of which came with the bases loaded, forcing in a run.
Coming up
The Red Sox now embark on a six-game road trip to Cleveland and New York beginning Tuesday. In the opener against the Guardians, it will be LHP James Paxton (1-1, 4.26) vs. RHP Shane Bieber (4-3, 3.72) at 7:10 p.m.
Updated: Jun. 05, 2023, 6:53 p.m.|Published: Jun. 05, 2023, 6:42 p.m.
By
Sean McAdam | sean.mcadam@masslive.com
BOSTON - The venue, it would seem, is irrelevant. Whether the backdrop is Tropicana Field or Fenway Park, the Tampa Bay Rays have exhibited their clear dominance of the Red Sox this season.
After sweeping the Sox in a four-game set at home in April, the Rays finished off a series win of the Red Sox at Fenway Monday, pinning a 4-1 decision on them to take the series three games to one. The Rays 7-1 record against Boston helps partly explain their 12-game edge over the Sox in the AL East standings.
In a scoreless game through four innings, the Rays erupted for three runs in the sixth as they strung together five hits in the span of six hitters against Sox starter Brayan Bello. A few were hard-hit, but most of the hits were the result of balls snaking through the infield or bloopers which found same grass in the outfield.
Still, Bello, who fanned the first three hitters of the game, seemed unable to get the big swing-and-miss when he needed it to turn halt the Rays’ rally.
The Red Sox offense was subdued in the early going, with Tampa Bay ace lefty Shane McClanahan limiting them to a single run over the first six innings.
The lone Red Sox run came in the sixth when Justin Turner cranked his seventh homer of the season, a line shot into the Monster Seats with one out.
Otherwise, the Sox enjoyed few scoring threats, and on the odd occasions when they did, double plays took them out of innings. In the first, before McClanahan could settle in, he issued two walks to the first three hitters he faced. But Rafael Devers hit into an inning-ending double play on the first pitch he saw.
In the fifth, the Sox got a two-out double from Christian Arroyo, making his return to the lineup after missing time with a strained hamstring. But when Rob Refsnyder grounded to short, Arroyo was left stranded in scoring position.
Defense shines for a change
After a brutal defensive showing the day earlier, the Red Sox actually turned in a couple of web gems in the early innings, twice robbing the Rays of home runs.
First, with a runner on first and one out in the second, Luke Raley drove a ball to The Triangle. Kiké Hernandez drifted over, ,and nearing the wall of the home bullpen, leaped up to snare the ball, taking away what would have been a two-run homer.
An inning later, with one out and the bases empty, it was Alex Verdugo’s time to shine. Catcher Francisco Mejia hit a high twisting fly ball down the right field line. Verdugo ventured over near the wall, just beyond the foul pole, and reached into the stands to glove the ball, emerging with it secure.
Pivetta scuffles
In his last bullpen appearance, Nick Pivetta was as sharp as could be, fanning the side last Thursday against the Cincinnati Reds and needing just 13 pitches.
Monday’s outing was nothing like that, as Pivetta issued three walks in the span of five batters, the last of which came with the bases loaded, forcing in a run.
Coming up
The Red Sox now embark on a six-game road trip to Cleveland and New York beginning Tuesday. In the opener against the Guardians, it will be LHP James Paxton (1-1, 4.26) vs. RHP Shane Bieber (4-3, 3.72) at 7:10 p.m.