Red Sox Wrap: Home Runs Power Rays Over Boston In Series Opener

The Boston Red Sox began a three-game series with the Tampa Bay Rays with an 8-3 loss on Tuesday night at Tropicana Field.

With the defeat, Boston falls to 75-76 while Tampa Bay improves 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.

That need looked promising through three innings when Boston had a 2-0 lead. In the fifth innings, 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 fifth-inning trio of 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 for the Red Sox.

The Rays, who entered play just two games behind Boston for third place, 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.

— Tampa Bay’s Shane Baz kept the Red Sox at bay, allowing just two runs in seven innings.

— Caminero had a pair of hits, including a home run, in the Rays win.

UP NEXT
The Red Sox and Rays continue the three-game series at Tropicana Field on Tuesday night. First pitch is set for 6:50 p.m. ET. You can catch the game, plus an hour of pregame coverage, on NESN.