The Boston Red Sox began a three-game series with the Tampa Bay Rays with an 8-3 loss Tuesday night at Tropicana Field.
With the defeat, Boston fell to 75-76 while Tampa Bay improved to 74-77.
Check out the full box score here.
ONE BIG TAKEAWAY
Boston entered the contest in need of American League East success after losing three of four games against the New York Yankees over the weekend.
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That need looked promising through three innings when Boston had a 2-0 lead. In the fifth inning, a previously decent start for Nick Pivetta fell apart by way of the long ball. Junior Caminero lifted a solo shot in the fourth inning before the Rays slugged a trio of fifth-inning home runs off the bats of Josh Lowe, Jose Siri and Brandon Lowe.
The home run barrage from the Rays snapped a streak for Pivetta of three consecutive outings of at least six innings and two earned runs or less.
The Rays, who entered play just two games behind Boston for third place in the division, found plenty of power to take the series opener to push the Red Sox in the standings in the final two weeks of the season.
STARS OF THE GAME
-- Triston Casas smacked his ninth home run of the season in the top of the second and it traveled 398 feet to right field. It was just his third homer since returning from injury in mid-August.
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-- Tampa Bay's Shane Baz kept the Red Sox at bay, allowing just two runs in seven innings. The right-hander allowed only two hits, one walk and struck out six.
-- Caminero had a pair of hits, including a home run, in the Rays win. The 21-year-old third baseman finished 2-for-4.
UP NEXT
The Red Sox and Rays continue their three-game series at Tropicana Field on Wednesday night. First pitch is set for 6:50 p.m. ET. You can catch the game, plus an hour of pregame coverage, on NESN.
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Featured image via Kim Klement Neitzel/Imagn Images
