BOSTON – Justin Meadows tied the game with a homer on the field in the ninth inning, Dominican Nelson Cruz took the lead with a single in the tenth and the Tamba Bay Rays bounced back 6 points to prevail Monday 11-10 to the Boston Red Sox.
The Rays, leaders of the Eastern Division of the American League, took advantage of four opposing errors, the worst when center fielder Alex Botxí failed to catch a high cross in the look due to the sun with full bases and two outs in the fourth.
The ball bounced off Oak’s glove and Cross ended up flipping all the pads in the play and scoring when second baseman Taylor Motter made an uncontrolled throw that allowed Tampa Bay to come close to 7-5 against the ‘opener Chris Surt.
Cross also shook a home run and a couple of singles for the Rays’ cause, which increased their lead in the LA East Division lead to eight and a half games over New York. The Red Sox missed a chance to beat the Yankees by the top spot on the LA wildcard.
When the Red Sox went up 9-8, Meadows opened the ninth and connected a fastball with full account to Garrett Whitlock (7-3). The ball bounced off the central garden wall of Fenway Park without Botxí being able to catch it by jumping. Boston failed in the relays and Meadows overtook the throw on the plate.
When they went down 11-9 in the 10th inning, Boston narrowed the gap to one when Cuban Jose Iglesias connected on a single to Collin McHigh (6-1). With an out against and runners in the opening and intermediate, JD Martinez fired an indisputable right-footed shot.
For the Rays, Cuban Randy Arozarena 6-2, two scored, one produced. Dominicans Wander Franco 6-4, 3 scored; Nelson Cruz 6-3, 3 scored, 3 towed, and Francisco Mejía 3-0.
For the Red Sox, the Cuban José Esglésies 1-1, a boost. Dominican Rafael Devers 4-2, one scored, one produced. Puerto Rican Christian Vázquez 5-1, one scored, one towed. Panamanian Jonathan Araúz 5-1, two scored, one driven.