Red Sox Rally to Defeat Rays in Series Opener

BOSTON: At Fenway Park on Thursday night, Ceddanne Rafaela’s pivotal two-run single in the seventh inning propelled the Boston Red Sox to a 4-3 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays in the first game of their four-game series.

Rafaela delivered a strong performance for Boston. His one-out single in the third contributed to Boston’s initial run, setting the stage for his game-changing hit in the decisive seventh.

Walker Buehler, Boston’s starting pitcher, gave up three runs on five hits, walked three batters, and recorded two strikeouts across six innings. Chris Murphy (1-0) and Garrett Whitlock contributed scoreless innings in the seventh and eighth, respectively. Aroldis Chapman secured his 16th save of the season by striking out two in the ninth.

Junior Caminero hit a two-run home run, while Ha-Seong Kim added a solo shot for Tampa Bay, which outhit Boston 7-4.

Roman Anthony’s two-out RBI single into right field in the third inning initially put Boston on the scoreboard.

Kim erased Boston’s lead with a two-run homer in the fourth, bringing in Lowe.

Caminero extended Tampa Bay’s lead to 3-1 in the sixth with a leadoff solo home run to left field.

Taj Bradley, Tampa Bay’s starter, allowed one run on two hits, walked three, and struck out five.

Drew Rasmussen (7-5, 2.78 ERA) is scheduled to make his first start against Boston since July 14, 2022, in the upcoming match on Friday.