The Boston Red Sox entered their Thursday night matchup with the Tampa Bay Rays at Fenway Park needing a win to split the series, but instead, they dropped the contest 7-5.
Starter Cooper Criswell came back down to earth a bit after a solid start to the year, allowing five runs (three earned) on four hits and two walks over 3 2/3 innings. However, one of those runs came on a play where Richie Palacios hit a ball off of his foot, and the umpire didn't see it.
Criswell wasn't helped by shortstop Ceddanne Rafaela, who made another error in the field, leading to one of the runs, and a wild pitch allowed another to score.
When Criswell exited the game in the fourth, the Red Sox were down 5-1 due to a Rafael Devers home run in the second, his second shot in as many games.
Boston got to Tampa Bay starter Zack Littell in the fifth, scoring three runs on a Dominic Smith ground out with the bases loaded and a two-run double from Garrett Cooper. Jarren Duran tied the game in the next inning with a solo home run to center field.
While it looked like the Red Sox might have a chance to win, Kenley Jansen entered a non-save situation in the top of the ninth. After striking out the first batter, he allowed a walk, two singles and a sacrifice fly to allow the Rays to take a 7-5 lead that they would finish the game with.
Boston has now fallen to 22-22 and fourth place in the AL East. They'll take on the St. Louis Cardinals for a three-game series starting on Friday.
