Friday, 4 a.m.
Sometimes, pitchers who aren’t even here yet can fit right in with a bullpen in trouble.
The Rays, who have struggled to get batters out late in games recently, were back at it Thursday night. Tampa Bay blew a late 3-1 lead in a 4-3 loss to Boston.
Newly-acquired reliever Bryan Baker had a rough debut for the Rays. Entering in the seventh inning, Baker gave up two hits, two walks, two steals and three earned runs.
The loss, the team’s ninth in 12 games, enabled Boston to creep within a half-game of the Rays.
Taj Bradley was impressive in his start, giving up just two hits and one earned run in his six innings.
Junior Caminero hit his 23rd home run of the season. Ha-Seong Kim hit his first homer for the Rays.
The Rays scored three times off Boston starter Walker Buehler, but none off three Red Sox relievers.
The Rays and Boston play again tonight in Fenway Park at 7:10 p.m. Drew Rasmussen will start for the Rays against Hunter Dobbins.