Xander Bogaerts takes Red Sox out of last place with grand slam

No support for Ortiz: Red Sox interim manager Torey Lovullo talked pregame about how installing Travis Shaw into the fifth spot in the lineup has been a “no-brainer” of late, and credited Shaw with not being overwhelmed with the task of hitting behind Ortiz.

Porcello held the Tampa Bay to just run over the first seven innings before the Rays added on against Boston’s bullpen for a 6-2 win over the Red Sox on Wednesday night. “He’s obviously one of the better second basemen in the game for a reason”.

IT WAS OVER WHEN…Nava broke open the scoring in the seventh inning, when his single to right just snuck under Dustin Pedroia’s glove to score Kevin Kiermaier from third.

Sure, Porcello lost the game to Smyly and the Rays.

Daniel Murphy lined a two-run double, Yoenis Cespedes had three hits and the Mets handed hard-luck Shelby Miller (5-16) his 15th straight defeat.

Right-hander Jered Weaver (7-12) lasted 5 2-3 innings for the Angels, giving up five runs and nine hits, including the two homers.

“I’ve always had confidence in myself”, Smyly said of his return from the DL.

Luke Maile doubled in his only at-bat. Porcello entered the top half of the 8th and gave up a leadoff double to Asdrubal Cabrera and a single to Steven Souza Jr. The frame was highlighted by Steve Pearce’s two-run homer. OF Mikie Mahtook started in center field.

– Machi’s outing was a disaster, despite only throwing four pitches. Bogaerts hit a grand slam home run to put the Sox up by 2 runs.

He also hit his 499th game home run of the game in the match too. He then retired the side without further incident.

Mookie Betts had two singles for Boston, which had won 11 of 17. “If we can kind of stay where we’re at right now and continue to make pitches when I have to, I think I should be all right heading to the winter”. He now has reached base safely in 26 consecutive games, which is a career high. It all happened with two outs in the bottom of the ninth. Andrew McCutchen, Pedro Alvarez and last night’s starter Charlie Morton were on that team as well. Porcello kept the Rays off the scoreboard until the 7th inning, but it would end up unraveling quickly.

– Boston went 2-for-11 with runners in scoring position. Guyer to third, Mahtook to second.

Jake Arrieta threw a three-hitter to become the first pitcher in the major leagues to reach 20 wins, Kris Bryant set the Cubs rookie record for home runs and Chicago inched closer to a playoff berth with a victory over the Brewers.

Bogaerts has 182 hits this season.

TWEET OF THE GAMEThat happened.

But, that caveat notwithstanding, it’s worth asking at a time when his 500th career homer crystallizes conversations about legacies and intergenerational significance: Is Ortiz the most important player in Red Sox history? Tampa Bay and the plus money here seems like a valuable pick.

After three inconsistent seasons with Seattle, Erasmo Ramirez is making a case to remain part of the Tampa Bay Rays’ long-term plans following a breakout season.