Defending champion Red Sox eliminated, lose to Rays 5-4

Red Sox manager Alex Cora watches from the dugout during Friday's game against the Rays.ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — It’s official: There will be no repeat in Boston.

The World Series champion Red Sox were mathematically eliminated in the late innings, then lost to the Tampa Bay Rays 5-4 Friday night when Willy Adames had an RBI single in the 11th.

A year after going 108-54 to win their third straight AL East title, the Red Sox (80-73) were knocked out during the ninth inning when Cleveland beat Philadelphia, around the time Mitch Moreland hit his second two-run homer.

Boston lost eight of its opening 10 games and 13 of its first 19, then struggled to recover. After moving into second place on…