Colome couldn't retire the Red Sox in the ninth./JEFFREY S. KING
Saturday, 2:45 a.m.
This one is going to sting for a while.
On the verge of what would have been one of their biggest victories, the Tampa Bay Rays blew a game against the Boston Red Sox that might last into the off-season. The Rays, ahead 5-2 going into the ninth with Alex Colome, who has been the best closer in the major leagues this year, Tampa Bay gave up three runs to tie it. Boston scored seven runs in the the 15th inning to win it, 13-6.
Tampa Bay gave up a season-high 21 hits in the game.
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Kiermaier tied the game in the 14th./JEFFREY S. KING
For Colome, it broke a streak of 15 straight converted saves. He had not blown a save since July 27.
The Rays used 12 pitchers in the game. Starter Matt Andriese gave up two runs through 4 2/3. No other Ray pitched as much as two innings.
Tampa Bay had taken a 5-2 lead into the ninth, but the Red Sox tied it off of Colome with three hits, a walk and an error.
The teams combined for 37 strikeouts, a record for a Rays' game. Tampa Bay struck out 24 times.
Ramos hit two home runs to lead the Rays./JEFFREY S. KING
Wilson Ramos had two homers for the Rays. Adeiny Hechavarria and Kevin Kiermaier also homered. Ramos and Evan Longoria each had three hits. Kiermaier and Corey Dickerson each had two.
The Red Sox took a one-run lead in the 14th, but Kiermaier's third homer in three games tied it, leading up to the seven-run 15th for Boston.
The Rays are now 5 1/2 games out of the final wild-card berth. They are four games under .500.
The Rays and Red Sox play again this evening at 6:10 p.m. Alex Cobb starts for the Rays against Rick Porcello.
Bourjos slides in with a triple./JEFFREY S. KING
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