The Boston Red Sox dropped a 5-1 decision to the Tampa Bay Rays on Sunday, September 20, 2026, at Tropicana Field in a division matchup that wasn't particularly close. Patrick Sandoval took the loss after allowing all five Rays runs over seven innings, while Boston's offense managed just four hits and a single run against a Tampa Bay bullpen that held firm through the final frames. The four-run margin tells the story: the Sox never really threatened, and a Trevor Story solo home run accounted for their lone score.

Patrick Sandoval Struggles Against Tampa Bay Lineup

Sandoval went the full seven innings — durable, if nothing else — but the results were rough. He surrendered five earned runs on four hits to go along with two walks and five strikeouts. Getting through seven frames matters, but not when you hand the opponent a five-spot. Griffin Jax earned the win for Tampa Bay, tossing five clean innings with five strikeouts, three hits allowed, and two walks. He was sharp when it counted, and Boston's hitters couldn't do much with him.

The Sox bullpen held up its end of the bargain after Sandoval exited. Tyron Guerrero came on in relief and was electric, punching out two batters across a scoreless eighth inning without allowing a hit or walk. It was one of the few clean moments in an otherwise forgettable afternoon for Boston.

Trevor Story Home Run Provides Boston's Only Offense

Story's solo shot was the lone bright spot in the Red Sox lineup. He finished 1-for-4 with the home run and one RBI — the only run Boston would score all game. Roman Anthony went 2-for-4 and showed some life at the plate, as did Caleb Durbin, who also collected two hits in four at-bats. But neither Anthony nor Durbin drove in a run, and Boston repeatedly left opportunities on the table against a Tampa Bay pitching staff that was ultimately too much to overcome.

Victor Mesa Jr. did the damage for the Rays, going 1-for-2 with a home run and an RBI. Tampa Bay's offense was efficient rather than explosive — they didn't need to be flashy with Jax and the bullpen doing the heavy lifting.

Tampa Bay Bullpen Shuts the Door

After Jax exited, Tampa Bay cycled through Cole Sulser (1.0 IP, 0 ER), Brody Hopkins (1.0 IP, 2 K, 0 ER), Steven Matz (1.0 IP, 1 K, 0 ER), Ty Johnson (0.2 IP, 1 ER), and Kevin Kelly (0.1 IP, 0 ER). Boston managed just one hit off that group and could never generate the kind of rally that would've made this game interesting. The Sox offense simply ran out of answers.

Key Performances

  • Patrick Sandoval (L): 7.0 IP, 4 H, 5 ER, 2 BB, 5 K
  • Trevor Story: 1-for-4, 1 HR, 1 RBI
  • Roman Anthony: 2-for-4
  • Caleb Durbin: 2-for-4
  • Griffin Jax (W): 5.0 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 5 K
  • Victor Mesa Jr.: 1-for-2, 1 HR, 1 RBI
  • Tyron Guerrero: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 2 K

What's Next for the Red Sox

Boston takes this loss and moves forward in a regular season that still has games to play. The Sox will need to shake off this kind of flat offensive performance quickly. Sandoval's seven-inning workload at least keeps the bullpen fresh, but the lineup needs to find a way to generate more than one run against divisional opponents. Keep an eye on whether Story's power stroke carries over, and whether Anthony can start cashing in on the hard contact he's been making.