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Justin Turner’s 3-run double helps Red Sox beat MLB-best Rays in doubleheader opener

By The Associated Press

Justin Turner Boston Red Sox's Justin Turner runs on his three-run double during the sixth inning of the first baseball game of a doubleheader against the Tampa Bay Rays, Saturday, June 3, 2023, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer) (Michael Dwyer/AP)

By The Associated Press

BOSTON (AP) — Justin Turner hit a three-run double in Boston’s six-run sixth inning, and the Red Sox beat the major league-best Tampa Bay Rays 8-5 on Saturday in the opener of a day-night doubleheader.

Alex Verdugo had three hits and two RBIs for the Red Sox, who were swept by the Rays in a four-game series in their first meeting at Tropicana Field in April.

Yandy Díaz hit a two-run double and Wander Franco had three hits for Tampa Bay (40-19), which lost for the fourth time in six games.

Boston shortstop Kiké Hernández made two throwing errors. The first one brought home a run.

Trailing 4-1, the Red Sox rallied against Jalen Beeks (2-3). Pablo Reyes hit an RBI single before Turner doubled off the Green Monster, making it 5-4.

Masataka Yoshida followed with a run-scoring double before Jarren Duran hit an RBI single off Cooper Criswell.

Playing the opener of a four-game series on an unseasonably cool day after Friday’s game was rained out and rescheduled for Monday, the Rays jumped ahead 3-0 in the second against Garrett Whitlock.

Díaz drove his two-run double into the left-field corner after Hernández’s throwing error allowed Harold Ramírez to score. Hernández made a nice sliding play on a grounder up the middle but fired wide of second from his knees trying to get a forceout.

Corey Kluber (3-6), recently demoted to the bullpen, worked a perfect inning of relief for the victory. Kenley Jansen pitched the ninth for his 12th save, getting three strikeouts.

There were a handful of fly balls knocked down by a breeze gusting to 26 mph and blowing straight in. Red Sox left fielder Yoshida broke back on Franco’s fly before racing in with the ball falling for a double.

Making his second start since spending a month on the injured list with ulnar neuritis of his throwing elbow, Whitlock gave up four runs and six hits in 4 2/3 innings.

SEEING DOUBLE

It was Boston’s first scheduled doubleheader since Aug. 30, 1978.

YOU CAN’T CATCH ME

The Rays had their 26th straight stolen base when Franco got his 21st, extending the longest streak in team history.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Rays: Franco trotted into third slowly on a single and was checked by a trainer but remained in the game. ... Catcher Christian Bethancourt got up slowly favoring his left leg after Boston catcher Reese McGuire landed on him on a close play at the plate but stayed in. ... LHP Josh Fleming underwent an MRI for a sore left elbow.

Red Sox: Manager Alex Cora said INF Christian Arroyo (right hamstring) was set to return from his rehab assignment Saturday to be re-evaluated. “No guarantee he’ll be active here or go back and play more,” Cora said.

UP NEXT

Rays RHP Tyler Glasnow (0-0, 6.23 ERA) is slated to start the nightcap. Cora hadn’t named a starter yet. “We will, when the game starts,” he said, joking in the morning. “I don’t know yet.”

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