While the Red Sox are officially eliminated from the playoffs, they would love to spoil the rival Tampa Bay Ray’s chances as well. It looked like they were on their way to doing just that after they jumped out to an early 4-0 lead, but Tampa Bay fought back with 7 unanswered runs and won the game 7-4.
Blake Snell struggled in his second start after returning from the IL, and was taken out of the game early. In the bottom of the 4th, Ji-Man Choi hit a 3 run homer in the bottom of the 4th to make cut the lead to 4-3. Brandon Lowe added a solo shot to tie the game and 2 batters later Willy Adames hit a two run homer to cap the 6 run inning.
The Ray’s bullpen held Boston scoreless for the rest of the game and Tampa Bay tacked on an insurance run in the 6th to secure the big win.
The win put them a half game ahead of Cleveland for the 2nd Wild Card and the Rays are now only 1.5 games behind the Athletics for the top spot. Unless the Twins completely fall apart in the Central, the division winners are all but locked up and the 2 Wild Card spots will come down to an exciting race between the Athletics, Rays, and Indians.
