Brosseau's leadoff HR sparks Rays in 8-2 rout of Red Sox

BOSTON (AP) — Mike Brosseau led off the game with a home run, Yandy Díaz and Hunter Renfroe each had two RBIs and the Tampa Bay Rays continued their offensive onslaught against the Boston Red Sox in a 8-2 win Tuesday night.

Brosseau hit Boston starter Martín Pérez’s sixth pitch of the game into the Rays’ bullpen in right for his first career leadoff homer.

“It’s a good feeling knowing the manager has the confidence to put you in the leadoff spot,” Brosseau said. “(Manager Kevin Cash) made a little joke with me prior to that first at-bat, about making him look good. I’m glad I was able to do that.”

Brosseau, Díaz and Manuel Margot had multihit games as Tampa Bay won its fourth straight game. The Rays had a season-high 16 hits in an 8-7 win to open the four-game series Monday.

Tampa Bay starter Andrew Kittredge exited with right elbow soreness after throwing only five pitches. Kittredge was pitching in an opener role after recording the final two outs for his first career save on Monday.

“It was something I’ve never felt before. But as soon as I came out of the game it started to feel better,” Kittredge said. “Feel great now, but the last pitch, just the forearm kind of tightened up there.”

John Curtiss (1-0) pitched 2 2/3 innings of one-run ball in relief of Kittredge.

Michael Chavis and Alex Verdugo each hit RBI singles for the Red Sox. Pérez (2-2) allowed two runs on three hits and struck out five in 5 2/3 innings after tossing five scoreless innings in a 5-0 win at Tampa Bay last Wednesday.

“We played a really good game for six innings,” Red Sox manager Ron Roenicke said. “We didn’t swing it again, but it was a good ballgame until then.

Boston has lost seven of its last 10.

“We’ve been struggling a little bit, but we...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/Brosseau-s-leadoff-HR-sparks-Rays-in-8-2-rout-of-15477105.php