Red Sox run streak to 13 with 6-1 win over Rays
Boston beat Tampa Bay behind Sonny Gray and Willson Contreras, matching the franchise’s second-longest winning streak, the AP reported.
By Georgia Hale · Staff Writer
2 min read
The Boston Red Sox made it 13 straight wins Sunday, beating the Tampa Bay Rays 6-1 at Fenway Park behind six strong innings from Sonny Gray and a two-run homer from Willson Contreras, according to the Associated Press.
The run now shares second place in Red Sox history with the club’s 13-game streak from July 1948, the AP reported. Boston’s franchise record remains 15 consecutive victories, set in June 1946.
Gray, now 12-1, allowed one run on five hits over six innings. The right-hander struck out five, walked four and logged his ninth straight quality start, according to the AP. He has not given up more than three runs in an outing since April 14.
Tampa Bay landed the first blow in the second inning. Victor Mesa Jr. put the Rays ahead 1-0 with an inside-the-park home run, according to the AP.
Boston answered in the bottom half. Andruw Monasterio drove in the tying run with an RBI double, pulling the Red Sox level at 1-1.
Boston scores three without a hit
The Red Sox took control in the third inning without recording a hit, the AP reported. Jahmai Jones scored on a passed ball, and Wilyer Abreu came home on a fielder’s choice.
On that play, Junior Caminero’s throw hit Abreu in the back as he slid into home, allowing the runners to move up safely, according to the AP.
Contreras then scored from third on Romy Gonzalez’s groundout, pushing Boston’s lead to 4-1.
Contreras added the loudest swing of the afternoon in the fifth. He jumped on the first pitch he saw and sent a two-run shot 414 feet to the triangle in center field, the AP reported.
That homer gave Boston a 6-1 lead and closed the scoring.
McClanahan takes the loss
Rays starter Shane McClanahan fell to 8-6 after allowing six runs, four earned, on five hits across five innings, according to the AP. He struck out three and walked three.
The result continued Boston’s surge and extended Tampa Bay’s rough afternoon after its early lead disappeared quickly. By the end, the Red Sox had another win, another entry in the club record book and a streak that now trails only the 1946 team in franchise history.
This story draws on original reporting from ESPN.com.