Renfroe HRs in 8th, throws out runner in 9th for Red Sox

BOSTON (AP) — Hunter Renfroe hit a two-run homer in the eighth inning and threw out Joey Wendle trying for a triple from deep center field for the final out of the ninth as the Boston Red Sox beat the Tampa Bay Rays 2-1 Wednesday night.

Renfore's big bat and strong arm helped the Red Sox avoid a three-game sweep against the AL East-leading Rays.

He drove a hanging slider from reliever JT Chargois (5-1) over the Green Monster in left field just after Boston had fallen behind in what had been a scoreless tie through the first seven innings.

A half-inning later, the right fielder tracked down Wendle's drive toward the deepest part of Fenway Park after center fielder Danny Santana dived and missed. Renfroe's one-hopper from just in front of the warning track reached third baseman Bobby Dalbec just in time to tag the sliding Wendle.

Renfroe also threw out Manuel Margot for the last out of the fourth inning when he tried for second on a base hit toward the right field corner. Umpires reviewed the play for about a minute before confirming the initial call.

Boston pulled within nine games of Tampa Bay for the division lead. The Red Sox started the day a half-game behind the New York Yankees for the top AL wild card.

Tampa Bay's Nelson Cruz drove in the game's first run with a single up the middle off Garrett Richards in the eighth, driving in Brandon Lowe after he reached on a two-out single and Wander Franco walked.

Richards (7-7) got the win and Hansel Robles pickced up his 12th save. Nathan Eovaldi pitched seven shutout innings for Boston, striking out eight and allowing just three hits and two walks.

Shane McClanahan pitched five scoreless innings for the Rays, holding Boston to three hits and a walk while striking out three.

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source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/Renfroe-HRs-in-8th-throws-out-runner-in-9th-for-16444874.php