Red Sox beat Rays 11-7 behind Crochet, Duran’s go-ahead HR, and a bullpen collapse. Rays’ postseason hopes end. Recap, stats & playoff implications.
Quick snapshot :Red Sox vs Rays
The Boston Red Sox defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 11-7 in a wild, momentum-swinging game as Garrett Crochet struck out nine, Jarren Duran delivered a big go-ahead homer in the seventh, and Tampa Bay was eliminated from playoff contention.
Why this Red Sox – Rays game mattered
This game carried significance on multiple levels:
- Playoff picture: With this loss, the Rays are officially eliminated from postseason contention. Boston, meanwhile, continues to jockey in the AL Wild Card race and looks to solidify its seed, leverage tiebreakers, and build momentum.
- Pitching & bullpen volatility: Garrett Crochet’s strong start helped Boston, but the Rays’ bullpen collapsed in the later innings — a recurring issue that has hurt Tampa’s postseason hopes. For Boston, late-game bullpen and lineup depth remain under scrutiny.
- Key moments & emotional lift: Jarren Duran’s go-ahead two-run homer in the 7th broke open a tight game. Ceddanne Rafaela’s multi-hit day added to Boston’s offensive surge. For a club fighting for a postseason spot, such performances are huge.
- Rivalry and momentum: The Red Sox have now won 7 straight vs the Rays. That dominance not only helps in standings but also in psychological edge down the stretch. (Reuters)
Background & season context
Boston Red Sox
- Record going into the game: 84-70.
- Need to finish strong. Red Sox are tied or very close with other clubs for Wild Card positions. They’re leaning on veterans, players returning from injury, and bullpen performance in tight games. Offensively, inconsistent stretches have been a problem, so when things click (like in this game), it provides vital breathing room.
Tampa Bay Rays
- Record going into the game: 75-79, already in the difficult stretch of their season.
- Rays have seen flashes of offense via players like Yandy Díaz, Carson Williams, Everson Pereira, but bullpen and defensive miscues have undermined many rallies. The elimination from postseason contention in this loss confirms that Tampa will need to regroup for 2026.
Detailed game recap — inning by inning
| Inning | Key Events & Game Flow |
|---|---|
| 1st–3rd | Rays strike first: Yandy Díaz doubles on the first pitch and scores on Nick Fortes’ RBI single. Carson Williams hits his fifth homer. Boston responds in the 2nd with an RBI from Eaton and in the 3rd with Alex Bregman’s 18th homer. Score roughly tied 3-3 early. |
| Middle innings (4th-6th) | Tight game. Neither side takes a big stretch. Boston starter Garrett Crochet keeps Tampa in check, while Rays starter Drew Rasmussen gives up some damage and is pulled after about three innings. |
| 7th inning | Turning point: Jarren Duran hits a go-ahead two-run homer, giving Boston a 4-3 lead. Boston then adds insurance in the 8th. |
| 8th inning | Boston explodes: seven runs scored aided by hits, walks, a hit batter, and defensive errors by the Rays. Rays’ bullpen(s) struggle. Boston effectively seals the game here. |
| 9th inning | Rays make a late push: Everson Pereira hits a grand slam off Chris Murphy to cut deficit to 11-7, but it’s too late. Boston closes out. |
Standout performances & player notes
- Garrett Crochet (Boston starter): 6 innings, 3 runs allowed, 9 strikeouts. He improves to 17 wins on the season. Strong performance just when Boston needed it.
- Jarren Duran: Go-ahead two-run homer in the 7th, multiple hits, and key at-bats throughout. His bat provided a spark in a tense game.
- Ceddanne Rafaela: Four hits, two runs, and an RBI. Seems hot and picking spots. (Reuters)
- Yandy Díaz, Carson Williams, Everson Pereira (Rays): Strong individual showings: Díaz had a homer and a double; Williams homered; Pereira’s grand slam in the 9th, though too late, showed the Rays still have fight.
- Boston bullpen / Rays bullpen struggles: Boston’s defensive errors helped, but Tampa’s relievers surrendered many of the runs during the 7th-8th collapse. That remains an area of concern for Tampa. (DRaysBay)
Statistical & trend insights
- Boston is now 7-0 in their last 7 or more games vs Rays in recent encounters. (StatMuse)
- Rays’ offense in this matchup: low batting average vs Boston in recent games (around .200 in last 5) but still capable of big swings (home runs, errors) that can change momentum.
- Boston’s wild card position: With this win, they are tied with Houston for AL’s second wild card, about 1.5 games ahead of Cleveland. Wild card seeding and games remaining will be tight.
[Note: Images are collected from Instagram]
Implications & what’s next
For the Red Sox
- Breathing room in Wild Card race: They needed a game like this. The tiebreakers are in their favor against several teams. Momentum will matter. (CBSSports.com)
- Avoiding complacency: bullpen security and minimizing defensive lapses will be essential in the final stretch. High-scoring innings are great, but consistency every inning counts.
- Off days & rotation rest: Boston will need to manage arms and give players breathing room; games like this help but also expose fatigue.
For the Rays
- Season officially over: Eliminated from playoff contention. The rest of games become about evaluation, player development, maybe trying out younger pitchers or bench players. (DRaysBay)
- Addressing bullpen & defense: late-game meltdowns and errors have cost more than once. Finding reliable situational relievers and tightening defensive miscues will be priorities in offseason.
- Offensive bright spots: Pereira, Díaz, Williams had good games. Team has pieces but consistency is lacking. Developing more regularity in run production (not just in bursts) will be key.
Broader AL East & Wild Card landscape
- Boston is still trailing the Yankees and Blue Jays in AL East, but they are contending in the Wild Card picture. These final nine or so games will involve tough matchups. Every run, every win counts.
- Rays fall back into rebuilding/rehabilitating mode. With future uncertainty (potential roster changes, contract expirations), this game likely signals a changing of seasons.
W heading into the weekend.
FINAL: #RedSox 11, Rays 7#DirtyWater pic.twitter.com/Fnn2Hxm952
— Red Sox (@RedSox) September 20, 2025
What fans & analysts are saying
- Many Boston fans felt “a weight off shoulders” after this game. A win this kind of emotional magnitude helps morale. Reports note that the offense “woke up.” (NESN.com)
- For Tampa, disappointment but some pride in individual performances. Media coverage points to bullpen collapse and errors as familiar enemies.
- Analysts are calling this game a statement from the Red Sox: they have the ability to close tight games and break open close contests — an essential quality in postseason baseball.
Series & upcoming schedule
- This Red Sox-Rays game is part of one of Boston’s final road series of the regular season. They will travel next to Toronto after finishing in Tampa. (MLB.com)
- Rays will finish their season with home games and then road matchups, likely using them to test depth and prepare for offseason.
Predictions & what to watch in the next few games
- Will Boston continue this offensive surge, or regress? Regression is possible — their bats have been streaky.
- Can the Rays salvage pride and find consistency in pitching and fielding? Someone like Pereira might emerge as a breakout piece.
- The Wild Card standings will shift nightly — injury reports, rest days, bullpen health, and matchups against weaker opponents will factor heavily.
Final thoughts — what Red Sox vs Rays result really indicates
This was more than just a win for Boston; it was a reaffirmation. Against a Rays team fighting for scraps, the Red Sox showed the kind of offense, bullpen strength, and mental toughness they need in October. For Tampa Bay, this loss doesn’t define the season but heightens the need to evaluate what works and what doesn’t.
Baseball in late September is a grind. One bad inning, one bullpen misstep, or one swing of momentum can reinvent narratives. The Red Sox have seized this moment; now the challenge is to maintain and close strong.