The Rays found just enough offense to outlast Boston 3-1 at Tropicana Field, with Yandy Díaz providing the decisive power in a pitcher-friendly contest that featured only 11 total hits.
Díaz went 1-for-3 with a home run and two RBIs, carrying a .325 average with 12 homers and 44 RBIs this season. His leadoff homer in the first inning gave Tampa Bay an early advantage, and his sacrifice fly in the eighth provided the insurance run that sealed the victory.
The game remained tight after Marcelo Mayer homered to right center in the third inning to tie it 1-1. Tampa Bay regained the lead in the fifth when Jonathan Aranda singled to left, bringing Slater home to make it 2-1. Díaz's sacrifice fly in the eighth scored Walls and extended the margin to 3-1.
Connelly Early took the loss for Boston, allowing 2 runs on 5 hits over 4.2 innings with 6 strikeouts and 4 walks, carrying a 3.30 ERA. Casey Legumina earned the win with 1.1 scoreless innings of relief, while Bryan Baker recorded his 17th save with a perfect ninth inning.
Tampa Bay improved to 37-25 and maintained first place in the division despite a two-game losing streak. Boston fell to 27-36 and sits in fifth place in the division.