The Boston Red Sox crushed the AL East-leading Tampa Bay Rays 10-0 in the first game of a Friday doubleheader to earn their 10 straight win.
The Red Sox are now tied with the Seattle Mariners and Minnesota Twins for the AL's final wild-card spot. On June 18, Boston dropped to a season-worst 14 games under .500 after getting swept by the Toronto Blue Jays. The team then won 15 of its next 17 contests.
Left-hander Jake Bennett didn't allow a run on just one hit with one walk and three strikeouts over six innings to pick up the win. The rookie owns a 2.35 ERA with 0.88 WHIP over 53 2/3 innings this season.
Masataka Yoshida and Carlos Narváez combined for six hits with two homers and six RBIs. Caleb Durbin added another three hits, and Jarren Duran had three RBIs.
Boston's improbable run comes with rising star Roman Anthony and reigning AL Cy Young runner-up Garrett Crochet sidelined. Ranger Suarez and Connelly Early have also been out of the rotation due to injuries. In addition, Willson Contreras has been serving a suspension since July 9. The team went 5-0 without the All-Star first baseman.
