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Xander Bogaerts, who has had a resurgent 2018, doubled twice and had a toe-run triple in Boston 87th win of the year—
a 7-3 drubbing of the Rays. Boston fell behind early, as starter
Brian Johnson coughed up three runs in the first inning. The lefty found his sea legs, though, and ended up going 5.2 solid innings and getting his fourth win of the year. The Boston bullpen performed well tonight—with four relievers going 3.1 scoreless innings. Other key offensive contributors were:
Mitch Moreland (2-4, R, go-ahead RBI);
J.D. Martinez (1-3, 2 R, RBI, BB) and
Jackie Bradley, Jr. (2-4, RBI). JBJ also made two more spectacular defensive plays in the field.
Mookie Betts scored a run to reach the 100 mark—
in mid-August. The Boston victory—coupled with a wimp-out, truncated rain-out "win" by
The Evil Ones—keeps the Red Sox lead at 10.5 games in the division.