Duran’s clutch homer lifts Red Sox over Rays, eliminates Tampa Bay from postseason

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Jarren Duran hit a go-ahead two-run homer in the seventh inning, Garrett Crochet struck out nine in six innings and the Boston Red Sox eliminated Tampa Bay from postseason contention with an 11-7 win over the Rays on Friday night.

With the win, the Red Sox are tied with Houston for the AL’s second wild card, 1 1/2 games ahead of Cleveland.

Duran’s 16th home run of the season gave the Red Sox a 4-3 lead. He also singled during Boston’s seven-run eighth inning. Nate Eaton had an RBI single in the eighth, Ceddanne Rafaela chipped in with an RBI hit, and Boston also capitalized on two errors and a hit batter.

Everson Pereira hit a grand slam off Chris Murphy with two outs in the bottom of the ninth to cut the Red Sox lead to 11-7.

The Rays struck early. Yandy Díaz doubled on the first pitch and scored on Nick Fortes’ RBI single. Rookie Carson Williams followed with his fifth home run, and Díaz added his 25th of the season leading off the third.

Boston answered in the second when Eaton scored from first on Nathaniel Lowe’s single. Alex Bregman tied it in the third with his 18th homer, a 362-foot shot to left.

 

Related Posts

🚨BREAKING NEWS: SAM ANTONACCI’S PATH TO WHITE SOX MAY NOW BE MORE CLEAR! After a series of key developments, the young prospect’s future with the White Sox seems more secure than ever. With the team’s plans falling into place, Antonacci could be on the fast track to making a major impact in Chicago.

Sam Antonacci has gone from an unheralded fifth-round draft pick in 2024 to a potentially significant part of the White Sox future thanks to his impressive performance…

🚨BREAKING NEWS: ATLANTA BRAVES TRADE IDEA BRINGS IN FERNANDO TATIS JR. IN A DEAL THAT MAKES TOO MUCH SENSE! With the Braves looking to add a dynamic superstar to their lineup, Tatis Jr. could be the perfect fit, bringing unmatched talent and energy to an already powerful team. This blockbuster trade would elevate Atlanta’s chances for a deep postseason run.

Atlanta Braves Trade Idea Brings in Fernando Tatis Jr. – A Deal That Makes Too Much Sense The Atlanta Braves have had an eventful offseason, to say…

🚨BREAKING NEWS: BOSTON RED SOX OUTFIELD TRANSFORMED FROM LOGJAM TO UNTOUCHABLE STRENGTH! What was once a crowded and uncertain outfield has now become a major weapon for the Red Sox, with key players stepping up to elevate the defense and offense. This revamped outfield is shaping up to be one of the strongest in baseball.

Not that long ago, the Red Sox outfield felt like a problem. Too many names. Not enough clarity. Constant trade chatter. Now? It might be the one…

🚨BREAKING NEWS: BRETT GARDNER SUES HOTEL OVER SON’S MONOXIDE POISONING DEATH – A HEARTBREAKING LEGAL BATTLE BEGINS AS THE FORMER YANKEES STAR SEEKS JUSTICE FOR HIS TRAGIC LOSS! The emotional lawsuit claims negligence on the part of the hotel that led to the untimely death of Gardner’s young son. Fans and the public alike are rallying in support of the grieving father’s quest for accountability.

Former New York Yankees athlete Brett Gardner and his wife, Jessica Gardner, filed a lawsuit against Costa Rica’s Arenas Del Mar Beachfront & Rainforest Resort for the…

🚨BREAKING NEWS: SB NATION REACTS – MATT SHAW SHOULD BE IN RIGHT FIELD IF SEIYA SUZUKI CAN’T GO ON OPENING DAY! With uncertainty surrounding Suzuki’s availability, fans and analysts are rallying behind Shaw as the perfect replacement for the season opener. Could this be Shaw’s moment to shine in the spotlight?

Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across MLB. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Cubs fans and fans across the…

BREAKING: Giants’ Hayden Birdsong gets brutal Tommy John injury update

The San Francisco Giants received devastating news as Hayden Birdsong faces a major setback, with the latest update confirming a serious injury just before Opening Day. According…