Rays fall to Red Sox 4-3 on June 12, 2025, despite Yandy Díaz's homer. A bases-loaded rally fizzled in the 8th. Read how Boston's solo HRs won it.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It was a night of 'almosts' and 'what-ifs' for the Tampa Bay Rays in Boston. In a classic Fenway Park nail-biter, the Rays clawed their way back, loaded the bases in a high-leverage eighth inning with a chance to take the lead, but ultimately fell 4-3 to the Red Sox, leaving fans to wonder what might have been.
It was only the third time in Zack Littell's last 19 starts that he allowed more than three earned runs, a testament to his incredible consistency.
The Red Sox played long ball all night, launching four solo home runs to account for all their scoring. Rookie Marcelo Mayer did the most damage with two solo shots, while Abraham Toro and Jarren Duran also went deep. The game's pivotal moment came in the top of the eighth. Down by one, the Rays masterfully loaded the bases, sending a jolt of hope through the fanbase. But the rally died on the vine as Matt Thaiss struck out, ending the threat and sealing the team's fate against Boston's Walker Buehler and Aroldis Chapman.
If there's a major silver lining from Wednesday's loss, it's the continued resurgence of Yandy Díaz. His two-run homer was the biggest blow for the Rays' offense, keeping them squarely in the game. For a team that has been searching for offensive consistency, Díaz's hot bat is a welcome sight. He's providing the middle-of-the-order thump the Rays desperately need, and his performance was a bright spot in an otherwise frustrating defeat.
Coming off a masterful complete game in his last outing, Zack Littell (6-6) wasn't quite as sharp at Fenway. While allowing four runs is never the goal, it's crucial to put this start in perspective. This was a rare off-night for a pitcher who has been a rock for the rotation. In fact, it was only the third time in his last 19 starts that he's given up more than three earned runs. While Littell took the loss, his overall body of work shows this was likely a blip, not a trend.
The loss stings, especially against a division rival, but there's no time to dwell on it. The Rays will pack up and head home to prepare for a weekend series against the New York Mets. The team will hand the ball to right-hander Taj Bradley (4-5, 3.95 ERA) in the opener, looking for him to set the tone and get the team right back in the win column.
