Sandy Leon hit a go-ahead single in the bottom of the eighth inning as the Red Sox held on for a 4-3 win to salvage their series against the Tampa Bay Rays at Fenway Park. Craig Kimbrel, who entered the game in the eighth inning, closed the door to earn his first win of the season.
Red Sox left fielder J.D. Martinez delivered the first clutch hit of the afternoon for the Red Sox, who improved to 20-7 with the win. He singled home Andrew Benintendi and Eduardo Nunez on a single to left, which cut the Rays’ lead to 3-2. Jackie Bradley Jr. then tied the game up with a sacrifice fly.
Apr 29, 2018, Boston, MA, USA: Boston Red Sox catcher Sandy Leon watches his RBI single against the Tampa Bay Rays during the eighth inning at Fenway Park. (Photo Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports)
Rick Porcello got a no-decision in another strong outing for the Red Sox, allowing three runs on seven hits in 7.2 innings, posting six strikeouts and no walks. Porcello threw a whopping 116 pitches before exiting the game in the eighth inning in favor of Kimbrel.
Martinez finished 4-for-4 on the day, raising his batting average to .330 on the season with a .941 OPS.
Up Next: The Red Sox close out April with the first of a three-game set against the Kansas City Royals at Fenway on Monday.
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