BOSTON — Jake Bennett struck out Yandy Díaz on three pitches to start Game 1. The first-place Tampa Bay Rays never recovered.
The Red Sox right-hander delivered 7 innings of 1-hit baseball in a 1-0 victory over the AL-best Rays on July 17 at Fenway Park. It was the pivotal moment of a doubleheader that saw Boston sweep and close the AL East gap to 2.5 games.
Bennett’s fastball sat at 96 mph. His slider generated 12 whiffs. He walked one, struck out eight.
“That’s the best I’ve seen him,” Rays manager Kevin Cash said post-game. “He had command of both edges.”
Game 1 was a pitcher’s duel. Rays starter Griffin Jax matched Bennett for 5 innings, allowing only Jarren Duran’s sacrifice fly in the 2nd. Jonny DeLuca’s running catch in center field preserved the 1-0 lead in the 4th.
Bennett worked out of a jam in the 4th inning. With runners on first and second, he struck out Brandon Lowe on a full-count slider. The Fenway crowd erupted.
The 26-year-old Bennett threw 97 pitches. His 69 strikes were a season high.
“He set the tone,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said. “That’s what we needed.”
Game 2 saw Boston win 5-3, completing the sweep. The Red Sox have now won 8 of their last 10 games.
| Stat Category | Jake Bennett (Game 1) | Griffin Jax (Game 1) |
|---|---|---|
| Innings Pitched | 7.0 | 6.0 |
| Hits Allowed | 1 | 4 |
| Strikeouts | 8 | 6 |
| Walks | 1 | 2 |
| Pitches | 97 | 91 |
| Game Score | 84 | 65 |
The AL East standings now read: Rays 58-38, Red Sox 55-41. The four-game series continues Sunday with a split doubleheader.
Bennett’s emergence changes Boston’s rotation outlook. He has a 2.89 ERA over his last 6 starts. The Red Sox now have a reliable No. 2 behind Brayan Bello.
For the Rays, adjustments are needed. Tampa Bay’s lineup went 1-for-24 against Bennett with 8 strikeouts. Yandy Díaz, Brandon Lowe and Randy Arozarena combined for 0 hits.
“We’ll watch the tape,” Cash said. “He beat us tonight.”
Fan reaction on social media was immediate. #JakeBennett trended on X within an hour of the final out. MLB.com’s game story highlighted his first-inning strikeout of Díaz as the defining moment.
The psychological edge has shifted. Boston believes it can win a division race that seemed settled two weeks ago.
💡 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Q: What was Jake Bennett’s performance on July 17th?
- A: Bennett pitched 7 innings, allowing 1 hit, striking out 8, and walking 1 in a 1-0 victory over the Rays.
- Q: How did the Red Sox sweep the doubleheader?
- A: Boston won Game 1 1-0 behind Bennett’s heroics, then took Game 2 5-3, closing the AL East gap to 2.5 games.
- Q: What was the key moment in Game 1?
- A: Bennett struck out Brandon Lowe on a full-count slider with runners on first and second in the 4th inning, preserving the 1-0 lead.
Extended Reading
MLB Game Story: Rays at Red Sox (07/17/2026) ; Boston Globe: Doubleheader Preview .
