The Boston Red Sox evened things up in the four-game set with the Tampa Bay Rays, taking Wednesday’s series finale 6-3.
Rafael Devers dazzled with a three-hit game, driving in a game-tying double and leading the offense on a night where all but one of his teammates recorded a hit.
Red Sox starter Martin Perez got the win after throwing five solid innings, while Matt Barnes earned the save.
Boston improves to 17-31 on the season as the Rays fall to 30-17.
Here’s how it all went down:
GAME IN A WORD
Satisfying.
Boston stepped up to split the series, with all but one member of its lineup recording a hit and no major pitching implosions.
ON THE BUMP
— Boston got a solid start out of Perez, who went five innings and gave up three runs (two earned) off five hits and two walks.
Tampa’s first run of the game came in the first off a Mike Brosseau double.
The Rays tacked on two more runs in the fourth when Kevan Smith drove one to deep left center field to put Tampa back on top.
— Phillips Valdez was the first reliever to come in for Boston, pitching the sixth inning and giving up one hit.
— Ryan Weber came in for 2/3 innings, striking out his first batter and making a play on a ground ball to get the second out. But after giving up a single and walk consecutively, Weber was pulled.
— Ryan Brasier finished out the seventh inning, recording the third out with a five-pitch strikeout.
He came back in to throw the eighth for a quick 1-2-3 inning to set up closer Matt Barnes. Brasier gave up no hits or walks and had three strikeouts.
— Matt Barnes got the save for Boston with a 1-2-3 final inning.
IN THE BATTER’S BOX
— The Red Sox got on the board right away.
Christian Vazquez gave Boston an early 2-0 lead with his fifth home run of the season, driving home Yairo Muñoz from second.
— Devers tied the game at three runs apiece in the fifth with an RBI double, sending Muñoz home and sending Vazquez to third.
J.D. Martinez brought in Vazquez with a sacrifice groundout for the 4-3 advantage.
— — Boston took a 6-3 lead in the sixth on a two-run homer by Christian Arroyo. The blast traveled 402 feet to right field.
— Devers led the offense going 3-for-5 with an RBI.
TWEET OF THE GAME
Devers continues his tear.
UP NEXT
After splitting the series with the Rays, Boston will move further south to Miami to begin a three-game series with the Marlins. Recent call-up Tanner Houck will make his Major League Baseball debut.
First pitch is scheduled for 6:40 p.m. ET.
Thumbnail photo via Mary Holt/USA TODAY Sports Images
