The Red Sox scored double-digit runs for the first time since Sept. 5, plating 11 of them against the Tampa Bay Rays Friday night.
Boston’s 11-7 win seems fine on paper. The club exploded offensively after going 2-5 since Sept. 10, got a quality start out of their ace in Garrett Crochet, and even eliminated the Rays from playoff contention. However, its pitching was shaky in a back-and-forth contest.
The Red Sox and Tampa Bay found themselves in a battle at the plate in the first half. The Rays quickly got on the board to take a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning, but Boston responded in the top of the second with a RBI hit of its own to tie.