Red Sox Suffer First Loss Ever to Rays When Leading by Six Runs

Red Sox loss to Rays Monday first of its kind originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

There's only a few decades of history between the Boston Red Sox and Tampa Bay Rays -- not exactly the century-plus there is with the New York Yankees -- but Monday's meeting between the teams at Fenway Park produced the first ever result of its kind.

Entering play on Labor Day, the Red Sox had been 69-0 all-time against the Rays when leading by six runs or more at any point in the game.

No more.

The Red Sox lost 11-10 to the Rays after leading 7-1.

Entering play, Boston was 69-0 all-time when leading by 6+ runs against Tampa Bay. pic.twitter.com/DHalZqWZiH

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) September 6, 2021

Boston's bullpen yielded single runs in the sixth, seventh, eighth and ninth innings, ultimately allowing Tampa Bay to claw back at tie the game on an inside-the-park home run by Austin Meadows off Garrett Whitlock. 

Red Sox, SS Jose Iglesias to reunite for stretch run

The blown save was the 21st of the season for the Red Sox, who went on to lose to the Rays, 11-10.

The Rays increased their AL East lead to 8 1/2 games over New York. The Red Sox missed a chance to move ahead of the Yankees for the top AL wild-card spot.