This season, Chris Archer has not found much success at all against the Boston Red Sox. Entering the game, Archer had already made two starts against the Red Sox this season, but struggled severely in both starts. The 27-year-old would lose both starts, combining for just 10.2 innings pitched yielding ten runs, 15 hits, and seven walks.

Also, Archer has struggled pitching away from Tropicana Field this season, as he entered the game with a 6.65 ERA on the road compared to a 2.70 ERA at home. 

Both of those statistics would carry on yet again on Friday. 

The Red Sox offense got to Archer once again, and held on to defeat the Tampa Bay Rays by a final score of 6-5. Robbie Ross Jr. picked up his first win of the season for the Red Sox out of relief, while Archer fell to a dismal 4-12 on the season. 

Red Sox offense gets to Archer early

Archer may have been looking to get going early against the team that has gotten the best of him as of late, but the Red Sox offense clearly thought otherwise. To open up the game, Mookie Betts, Dustin Pedroia, and Xander Bogaerts would all reach base, and Betts would score on Bogaerts' soft single. Two hitters later, the bases were loaded for all-star Jackie Bradley Jr. with one away, and the centerfielder would come through with a sacrifice fly to score Pedroia. 

In the second and third innings, Archer would find his groove, as the Red Sox failed to get a baserunner in both innings. However, they would quickly respond in the fourth. David Ortiz, continuing his MVP worthy season, opened up the inning with a home run. It was the 21st homer of the year for "Big Papi", as well as his 70th RBI of the season. The 40-year-old, who insists he still plans retire following the season, leads the American League in on-base-percentage, slugging percentage, OPS, and doubles. 

David Ortiz celebrates after hitting his 21st home run of the season in the fourth inning. (Photo: Maddie Meyer/Getty Images North America)
David Ortiz celebrates after hitting his 21st home run of the season in the fourth inning. (Photo: Maddie Meyer/Getty Images North America)

The Red Sox would not be finished with the inning. Brock Holt would single with two away, but would exit the game after sliding awkwardly into second base on a stolen base. Holt, who was diagnosed with a knee sprain, was pinch ran for by Bryce Brentz, who would score on a single by the newly-acquired Aaron Hill, making the score 4-2.  

Rays answer back

The Rays offense, however, would battle back both times. In the second inning, after the Red Sox scored the two runs, Nick Franklin followed up a Corey Dickerson double with a single to center field, scoring Dickerson.

The very next inning, the Rays would open up the inning in a big way, as Logan Forsythe smoked a ball over the Green Monster for a home run. It was the eighth home run on the season for Forsythe, and it tied the game up at 2-2. 

In the fifth, starter Sean O'Sullivan and the Red Sox would run into serious trouble. Nick Franklin would open up the inning with a single, and advanced to third following a stolen base and groundout to the right side. Brad Miller would bring him home on a sacrifice fly, but the Rays were not done just yet. 

Forsythe, who was on second base as a result of a walk and stolen base, would score on an Evan Longoria RBI single. Later, Logan Morrison and Brandon Guyer would both reach base, loading up the bases with two away for Steven Souza. This forced manager John Farrell to quickly call the bullpen, but left O'Sullivan out there for a crucial matchup with Souza. O'Sullivan prevailed, as Souza would ground out to third, keeping the score even at 4-4. 

O'Sullivan departed the game after the inning, finishing just five innings allowing seven hits, four runs, and one walk while striking out four. 

Sean O'Sullivan reacts to Evan Longoria's RBI single. (Photo: Maddie Meyer/Getty Images North America)
Sean O'Sullivan reacts to Evan Longoria's RBI single. (Photo: Maddie Meyer/Getty Images North America)

Red Sox pull away late

Although Archer would set down the Red Sox in order yet again in the fifth, Bryce Brentz continued his hot streak in the sixth, as he singled home Hanley Ramirez from second. Brentz, who has made the most from his playing time since Chris Young suffered a leg injury, now has seven RBIs in nine games. 

Archer was finished after the inning, and turned in another shaky start against the Red Sox. He finished six innings giving up seven hits, five runs, two walks, and struck out a season-low three batters. 

The Red Sox bullpen entered in the sixth inning, and sealed the deal. Ross earned the victory, as the left-hander tabbed 1.1 scoreless innings. Heath Hembree and Matt Barnes worked in the seventh and eighth innings, respectively. 

In the bottom of the eighth, Boston got an insurance run that turned out to be huge. With two away, the Red Sox connected with three straight singles, capped off by Hill's RBI single to score Bradley Jr. It was Hill's first game as a member of the Red Sox, and he finished 2-4 with two RBIs. 

Koji Uehara got the surprise save opportunity in the ninth, as Craig Kimbrel was later announced as unavailable to pitch. Evan Longoria hit a first pitch fastball over the left-field wall with two away, but it was not enough as the Red Sox hung on for their 47th victory. 

VAVEL Logo
About the author
Oliver P. Gold
A Providence, Rhode Island based sports journalist and blogger with expertise in baseball and basketball. Includes MLB, NBA and NCAA College Basketball. New England sports fan of Boston Red Sox, Boston Celtics and Providence Friars.