The Boston Red Sox have extended their winning streak to 12 games, the longest active run in Major League Baseball, following a 7-5 comeback victory over the Tampa Bay Rays. The streak has tightened the AL East standings, cutting New York’s division lead to 2.5 games.
Rookie outfielder Wilyer Abreu delivered his second consecutive two-homer performance, a feat unmatched by a Red Sox hitter since David Ortiz in 2015. Abreu’s 444-foot solo shot and 410-foot three-run blast powered the rally. “He’s not just hot — he’s locked in,” manager Alex Cora said. “Every swing has a plan.”
The team trailed 4-2 entering the seventh inning before a four-run rally. Key hits from Trevor Story and Masataka Yoshida set up Abreu’s heroics. Closer Kenley Jansen recorded his 22nd save. The Red Sox are averaging 6.8 runs per game during the streak, up from 4.2 in the first three months. They have outscored opponents 42-18 in the seventh inning or later.
Game 98 on July 20 pits Red Sox ace Brayan Bello (10-3, 2.98 ERA) against Rays right-hander Taj Bradley (6-6, 4.12 ERA). Abreu is expected to start in right field. The top five hitters — Devers, Abreu, Yoshida, Story, Casas — have posted a .298/.371/.532 slash line over the last 12 games. A win would tie the longest Red Sox streak since 2006.
The streak has reshaped the division race. The Red Sox (57-41) now hold a 4.5-game lead over the Rays (52-45). Over the 12 games, Red Sox starters have posted a 2.67 ERA, led by Tanner Houck’s 0.83 ERA in three starts. FanDuel odds shifted from +650 to +350 for the Red Sox to win the division.
💡 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Q: What is the Red Sox score during their 12-game winning streak?
- A: The Red Sox have outscored opponents 42-18 in the seventh inning or later, averaging 6.8 runs per game during the streak.
- Q: How has Wilyer Abreu impacted the Red Sox score and the AL East race?
- A: Abreu hit back-to-back two-homer games, including a 444-foot solo shot and a 410-foot three-run blast, powering the Red Sox to cut New York’s division lead to 2.5 games.
- Q: What is the Red Sox score against the Tampa Bay Rays on July 20?
- A: The Red Sox face the Rays on July 20 with ace Brayan Bello (10-3, 2.98 ERA) against Taj Bradley (6-6, 4.12 ERA), aiming to extend the streak to 13 games.
Extended Reading
Data sourced from MLB.com (Wilyer Abreu’s two-homer game coverage) and Boston Globe (July 19 lineups and preview). The Red Sox’s 12-game streak is the longest in MLB this season, with Abreu’s back-to-back multi-homer games as the statistical catalyst. Market odds reflect the division’s realignment.
