The Rays erased an early deficit with a three-run fourth inning, defeating the Red Sox 4-3 at Tropicana Field. Tampa Bay answered Boston's opening run with a decisive burst that proved enough to secure the victory.
Nick Martinez earned the win with seven innings of work, allowing 3 runs on 6 hits while striking out 2. Martinez improved to 6-2 with a 2.43 ERA. Bryan Baker closed out the ninth inning for his 18th save of the season.
The fourth inning belonged to Tampa Bay. Cedric Mullins singled to right to score Ryan Vilade and tie the game at 1-1. Ben Williamson followed with a double to left that brought Mullins home for a 2-1 lead. Nick Fortes capped the rally with another double to left, scoring Williamson to make it 3-1.
Payton Tolle took the loss for Boston, allowing 4 runs on 9 hits over six innings. Tolle fell to 3-3 with a 3.04 ERA. The Red Sox made a late push in the eighth when Marcelo Mayer doubled to right, scoring both Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Caleb Durbin to cut the deficit to 4-3.
Tampa Bay improved to 38-25 and maintained first place in the division. Boston dropped to 27-37 and extended their losing streak to two games.