Rays lose to Red Sox 4-1 on July 13, 2025, getting swept at Fenway. Despite Ryan Pepiot's loss, rookie Chandler Simpson sets a new team hit streak record.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
A quiet Monday feels like a collective exhale for a Tampa Bay Rays team that desperately needs one. After being swept by the Boston Red Sox, capped by a dispiriting 4-1 loss on Sunday, the Rays are now mired in a four-game losing streak. The off day provides a moment to reflect on what went wrong at Fenway and how to stop the slide before it jeopardizes their standing in a tight AL East race.
Amidst the team's struggles, rookie Chandler Simpson set a new franchise record for a rookie with his 14-game hitting streak.
The series finale in Boston was a familiar story of offensive anemia. The Rays managed just five hits against Red Sox pitching, with starter Brayan Bello keeping them off balance into the seventh inning. A two-run homer by Ceddanne Rafaela in the sixth inning proved to be the decisive blow against Ryan Pepiot, who took the loss after allowing four runs (three earned) over six innings. The lone Rays run came on a Josh Lowe sacrifice fly in the fourth. The loss dropped the club to 50-47, putting them 5.5 games behind in the division and in need of a serious turnaround.
While the team-wide performance has been frustrating, one player is providing a consistent spark. Rookie outfielder Chandler Simpson quietly extended his hitting streak to 14 games during Sunday's loss, establishing a new franchise record for a rookie. In a lineup struggling to produce, Simpson's daily contribution has been a significant silver lining and a testament to his readiness for the big leagues. His consistency at the plate is not just a nice story; it's one of the few reliable offensive bright spots for the team right now.
The off day brought no news from the front office, with no transactions, roster moves, or injury updates reported. While fans might be clamoring for a trade or a call-up to shake things up, the silence from the organization suggests a belief that the answers lie within the current clubhouse. After recent moves that saw Brandon Lowe land on the IL and Curtis Mead recalled from Durham, Monday was a day for the existing roster to catch its breath rather than undergo further changes.
This much-needed off day serves as a reset button. The Rays have a chance to flush the frustration of the Fenway sweep and regroup before their next series. The key questions remain: Can the bats wake up and provide some run support? Can the starting pitching get back to its dominant form? And can Chandler Simpson's infectious energy and historic streak spark a fire under the rest of the roster? The answers will start coming tomorrow, as a reeling Rays team looks to stop the bleeding and get back in the win column.
