Rays 7, Red Sox 4: B.J. Upton hammered a three-run walk-off homer to cap a six-run ninth inning as host Tampa Bay rallied for a stunning victory over Boston.
Desmond Jennings tied the game with a two-run single off Red Sox closer Andrew Bailey (1-1) before Upton followed with his 24th homer, a shot to center field off Vicente Padilla to pull the Rays within 5 1/2 games of wild card co-leaders Oakland and Baltimore with 12 to play.
Burke Badenhop (2-2) retired the only batter he faced as Tampa Bay earned a split of the four-game series to keep its faint postseason hopes alive. Carlos Pena also had an RBI single in the ninth.
The loss spoiled a superb effort by Boston starter Clay Buchholz, who threw seven scoreless innings to outpitch Rays ace left-hander David Price. Price allowed three runs on eight hits in 7 1/3 innings.
Jose Iglesias had three hits and clubbed his first career homer to give the Red Sox a 4-1 lead in the top of the ninth. Ryan Lavarnway and Mauro Gomez each had two hits and an RBI for Boston.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Pedro Ciriaco started in center field for the Red Sox but was yanked from the game in the fourth inning after allowing a pair of fly balls to drop in for doubles. … Price had his 29 1/3 scoreless innings string at home snapped by Cody Ross’ double in the sixth. The Rays haven’t scored for Price at home since July 19. … The Boston Globe reported that Rays bench coach Dave Martinez and Red Sox bench coach Tim Bogar are front-runners for the vacant managerial opening in Houston.
