Rays Outscored 26 to 9 in Fenway, Swept by Red Sox

The Rays finished their first road trip of the 2021 season poorly, losing four straight, and swept out of Fenway.

It all started Monday night when newcomer Michael Wacha gave up five runs, four earned, on eight hits in five innings of work. His counterpart Nick Pivetta also worked five innings, only allowing two hits, and no runs.

Chris Mazza made his Rays debut in relief of Wacha Monday night, but it wasn’t a debut to remember. He gave up six earned runs on seven hits, and only recorded eight outs.

The Rays dropped the first game of the series, 11-2.

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The only competitive game of the series was on Tuesday. Rays ace Tyler Glasnow got the ball, and once again looked dominate. In six innings of work, Glasnow struck out nine Red Sox, allowing only one run on four hits.

The Rays were able to get to Red Sox starter Martin Perez, who allowed three earned runs in only five innings of work. However, the difference in the game was the bullpen.

Tampa took a 3-1 lead into the eighth inning when a J.D. Martinez RBI double off Pete Fairbanks cut the lead in half. Fairbanks would get the final outs of the inning, keeping the 3-2 lead going to the ninth.

However, that wouldn’t last. Diego Castillo came on for the Rays in the ninth and surrendered a game-tying home run to Boston catcher Christian Vazquez, sending the game into extras.

After a scoreless 10th, Willy Adames broke the tie with an RBI double down the left field line, scoring Brandon Lowe. However, a Rafael Devers RBI single off Jeffrey Springs in the bottom half of the inning tied the game once again.

In the top of the 12th Mike Zunino hustled to the plate after Randy Arozarena hit a ground ball to short. Although the infield was pulled in, Xander Bogaerts decided to take the easy out at first, giving the Rays a 5-4 lead.

In bottom of the 12th Ryan Thompson became the third Tampa Bay pitcher in four innings to give up a lead, however this time it cost them the game. J.D. Martinez walked off the Rays with a two RBI double just out of the reach of Randy Arozarena in right field.

Wednesday afternoons game led to another blowout, and it didn’t take long to show. The Rays did take an early 1-0 lead after a Yoshi Tsutsugo RBI single in the third. However, the Sox would go on to score three in the fourth, and six in the fifth, all off Ryan Yarbrough.

Mike Brosseau collected his first RBI of the season in the ninth, however the Rays still went on to lose 9-2.

One bright spot for the Rays yesterday, Collin McHugh. McHugh pitched the final three innings on Wednesday allowing no runs and striking out two.

The Rays are off Thursday and will head home to prepare to host the Yankees in their home opener at Tropicana Field. First pitch is set for 3:10 PM EST, with Rich Hill expected to face 2x AL Cy Young winner, Corey Kluber.