BOSTON (AP) — Tampa Bay's Chris Archer has experienced lots of trouble beating the Red Sox during his career.
His latest outing didn't go a long way toward ending that drought.
David Ortiz hit his 21st home run of the season, Bryce Brentz had two hits and broke a tie with an RBI single in the sixth and the Red Sox beat the Rays 6-5 on Friday night.
Archer (4-12) lost his ninth consecutive decision to Boston, the longest such streak by a major league pitcher since Mike Moore lost 10 straight to Boston from 1987 to 1992.
The Rays fell behind early, but twice came back to tie the game before Brentz put the Red Sox in front for good.
"It's tough. You want to go out there and have shutdown innings after we score," Archer said. "It's very tough, to answer the question. I'm typically better than that. I'm typically better than what I've shown a lot of starts this year and hopefully for the team's sake we can still win the series and personally come back after the All-Star break and be more consistent, especially from the first pitch on."
Archer entered the night with a 9.50 ERA in the first inning this season — the third-highest in the American League.
He got off to another slow start Friday, allowing two runs in the first inning.
Rays manager Kevin Cash said it's been hard to pinpoint Archer's recent struggles.
"A little bit more of the same," Cash said. "Tough for us to avoid those first-inning struggles right now. It drives Arch's pitch count up a little bit, or a lot. I wish I had a better explanation for it; I don't. I don't think anybody really does."
The win was Boston's fourth in five games as it tries to gain ground on AL East-leading Baltimore before the All-Star break.
Brentz's RBI came after he entered the game in the fourth inning for an injured Brock Holt. Ortiz's homer — the 524th of his career — tied him with Jimmie Foxx for seventh-most in American League history.
Robbie Ross, Jr. (1-1) got the victory for Boston. Koji Uehara picked up his third save.
Red Sox starter Sean O'Sullivan had won in each of his previous three starts, but he allowed four runs and seven hits in five innings on Friday.
Evan Longoria had four hits and a home run for the Rays, who have lost four straight and 20 of 23.
The Red Sox, who have had their share of injuries the past two months, left a little more scuffed up.
Holt left with a left ankle sprain after getting his leg caught underneath him on a slide while stealing second.
He was able to walk off the field under his own power, but did have a slight limp. X-rays were negative and he will be re-evaluated on Saturday. Holt just returned to action July 1 after missing 37 games with a concussion.
Hanley Ramirez also limped his way through an eighth inning at-bat after fouling a ball off his left leg. He left the game with a left shin bruise.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Rays: OF Kevin Kiermaier (wrist) will go through another batting practice session Saturday, and could start a rehab assignment Monday or Tuesday.
Red Sox: IF Travis Shaw remains day-to-day with a bruised left foot. X-rays on the foot were negative Thursday and he said the swelling has reduced significantly since he left Wednesday's win over the Rangers. "It's got good color, but the swelling has gone down," he said.
UP NEXT
Rays: LHP Matt Moore (5-5, 4.54 ERA) is 3-1 over his last five starts with a 2.43 ERA over that span. Moore threw seven scoreless innings in a 4-0 win at home over the Red Sox on June 29. He is 2-2 with a 4.82 ERA in five games (four starts) at Fenway Park. He will be seeking his first road at Boston since September 2015.
Red Sox: RHP Rick Porcello (10-2, 3.82 ERA) will make his 18th start of the season on Saturday. He is 7-0 in eight starts at Fenway Park this season. In two starts against the Rays this season he is 2-0 with a 2.77 ERA.
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Follow Kyle Hightower on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/khightower
