Roman Anthony delivered the big blow Friday night, going 2-for-5 with a home run and three RBIs to lead the Boston Red Sox past the Tampa Bay Rays 4-2 in nine innings on September 18, 2026. Jahmai Jones added a solo shot of his own, Ranger Suarez earned the win on the mound, and Boston walked away from Tropicana Field with a two-run division victory that matters heading into the final stretch of the 2026 regular season.

Roman Anthony and Jahmai Jones Provide the Power for Boston

Anthony was the story of this game. The young outfielder went 2-for-5 and did his damage in bunches, finishing with three RBIs and a home run that gave Boston the cushion it needed. In a game decided by two runs, his production was the difference.

Jones backed him up in a big way. The utility man went 1-for-3 with a solo home run and one RBI, giving the Red Sox back-to-back punch in what turned into a comfortable win by the final frame. Caleb Durbin rounded out Boston's offensive contributors with a 2-for-3 night, providing contact at the top of the order without an extra-base hit.

Key Red Sox Offensive Highlights

  • Roman Anthony: 2-for-5, 1 HR, 3 RBI
  • Jahmai Jones: 1-for-3, 1 HR, 1 RBI
  • Caleb Durbin: 2-for-3, 0 RBI

Ranger Suarez Battles Through 5.2 Innings for the Win

Suarez was not crisp — five walks in 5.2 innings is a problem, and Tampa Bay had opportunities — but he limited the damage to one earned run on three hits while striking out five. He gutted through it when he needed to, and that's enough to hang a win on him. Suarez gets the decision and the Red Sox move forward with him in the books as the winning pitcher.

The bullpen did its part cleanly. Wyatt Olds handled one-third of an inning, striking out one without allowing a run despite issuing two walks. Greg Weissert threw two clean innings, allowing just one hit and fanning one. Erik Miller closed it out in the ninth, working a full inning with two strikeouts to earn the save — though he did give up one earned run on one hit and two walks, making the final score a touch closer than Boston would have liked.

Boston Pitching Breakdown

  • Ranger Suarez (W): 5.2 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 5 BB, 5 K
  • Wyatt Olds: 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 1 K
  • Greg Weissert: 2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
  • Erik Miller (SV): 1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 2 K

Tampa Bay's Ian Seymour Takes the Loss After Rough Outing

Rays starter Ian Seymour couldn't survive the Red Sox lineup. He gave up seven hits and all four Boston runs in five innings, walking two and striking out five. Suarez's wildness gave Tampa Bay chances on the bases, but Seymour's inability to keep Boston's bats quiet made those missed opportunities costly. Ty Johnson and Casey Legumina kept the Rays in it with a combined three scoreless innings — Legumina in particular was sharp, striking out four over two innings — but the early damage was already done.

Turning Point: Anthony's Homer Blows It Open

The game's critical moment came when Anthony connected for his home run, driving in enough runs to give Boston a lead that Tampa Bay's bullpen could not claw back. With Suarez walking batters and giving the Rays life, the Red Sox needed those runs on the board, and Anthony provided them. That swing shifted the momentum decisively in Boston's favor.

What's Next for the Red Sox

The Red Sox pick up a road division win on Friday night and will look to build on it as September continues. Every game against a division opponent carries added weight this time of year, and Boston walked out of St. Petersburg with two points in the standings column. The series with Tampa Bay continues, giving the Sox another chance to pad the margin.