The Boston Red Sox probably didn’t think it would come down to the wire with the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday, but that was the story anyway.
Boston got on the board almost right away thanks to a two-run home run from David Ortiz, and starter Drew Pomeranz held things down through five strong innings. But those were the only runs the Red Sox would score while the Rays made this a tight game.
Still, the Red Sox came out on top 2-1 for their ninth straight win.
Here’s how it all went down.
GAME IN A WORD
Close.
The Red Sox have been beating up on their American League East rivals of late, but that wasn’t the case in St. Petersburg, Fla. Boston had to battle to win this one.
IT WAS OVER WHEN …
Brad Ziegler pitched a scoreless ninth inning.
The right-hander had two runners on base with the Rays down by only one run, but Ziegler got out of the jam to earn the save.
ON THE BUMP
— Pomeranz was much improved Friday compared to his last outing. The lefty came to Boston already over his career-high of 96 2/3 innings in one season, so he was expected to be limited no matter what, as he entered the game at 164 1/3 innings. But Pomeranz turned in five good frames, giving up only one run on four hits — including a solo shot by right fielder Mikie Mahtook — with no walks and four strikeouts.
— Joe Kelly enjoyed a 1-2-3 sixth inning, inducing two groundouts and a popout to get the Rays in order.
— Robbie Ross Jr. got two outs, including a strikeout to Mahtook, to begin the seventh but was pulled after giving up a ground-rule double to left fielder Corey Dickerson. Matt Barnes got pinch-hitter Nick Franklin to pop out to end the frame.
— Barnes struck out his first two batters in the eighth but walked second baseman Logan Forsythe before Red Sox manager John Farrell turned to Robby Scott. Scott induced a groundout to end the inning.
— Ziegler closed things out but gave up a double to Evan Longoria to start things off. He also intentionally walked Corey Dickerson to get to the right-handed Juniel Querecuto with two outs, and it paid off as Ziegler struck him out.
IN THE BATTER’S BOX
— David Ortiz put the Red Sox’s only runs on the board with a two-run homer in the first inning. The designated hitter went 2-for-5Â with a run and two RBIs.
— The Red Sox put up nine hits, but a good chunk of them came from Mookie Betts alone. The right fielder went 3-for-4 with a walk.
— Bryan Holaday did a good job getting on base, too, as the catcher went 1-for-2 with a walk.
Andrew Benintendi pinch-hit for Holaday in the eighth and walked.
— Hanley Ramirez and Brock Holt each went 1-for-4. Ramirez also reached on a fielder’s choice in the eighth inning.
— Xander Bogaerts went 1-for-4 with a walk and a run.
— Dustin Pedroia (0-for-5), Travis Shaw (0-for-4) and Jackie Bradley Jr. (0-for-3 with an intentional walk) all went hitless.
TWEET OF THE NIGHT
It’s safe to say Ortiz is having a pretty good season.
UP NEXT
The Red Sox play Game 2 of their series against the Rays on Saturday in a 6:10 p.m. ET matchup at the Trop. Red Sox ace Rick Porcello will face off against Tampa Bay right-hander Matt Andriese, who allowed seven runs over four innings in his last outing against Boston.
Thumbnail photo via Kim Klement/USA TODAY Sports Images
