The Rays built a commanding lead through six innings, then watched Boston nearly erase it all in a frantic eighth before holding on for a 7-5 victory Tuesday night at Tropicana Field.
Drew Rasmussen controlled the game for seven innings, allowing just 2 hits while striking out 13 batters. The right-hander reached 500 career strikeouts in this game, carrying a 2.71 ERA into his sixth win of the season. His dominant performance staked Tampa Bay to what appeared to be a comfortable advantage.
The Rays methodically built their lead across the middle innings. Walls hit a sacrifice fly to center in the third, bringing Fortes home for the first run. Tampa Bay broke it open in the fifth with 3 runs, as Díaz reached on an infield single to score Fortes, Slater doubled to bring home Walls, and Vilade hit a sacrifice fly to score Díaz. Díaz singled home Fortes again in the sixth for a 5-0 cushion.
Boston erupted for 4 runs in the eighth to make it a one-run game. Durbin homered to left, then Rafaela launched a three-run homer that scored Kiner-Falefa and Duran. But Mullins answered immediately with a two-run homer to right center, scoring Simpson and restoring breathing room at 7-4. Durbin homered again in the ninth, but Garrett Cleavinger secured his second save despite allowing the run.
Tampa Bay extended its winning streak to two games and improved to 39-25, maintaining first place in the division. Boston fell to 27-38, extending its losing streak to three games.