Boston’s lineup struck out three times in its first three at-bats for the first time since 1901, a grim spark that came during a 7-5 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays. Drew Rasmussen dominated with seven scoreless innings and 13 strikeouts, while the Red Sox’s offens
When the Red Sox came up in the first inning on Wednesday afternoon, it wasn’t just a rough start. It was the kind of start you remember for the stat line, not the highlight reel.
Boston’s first three hitters in the lineup went 0-for-9 with nine strikeouts against Tampa Bay Rays starter Drew Rasmussen. Jarren Duran. Ceddanne Rafaela and Wilyer Abreu were each retired without putting the ball in play enough to change the tone early. and the pattern held through their first three at-bats.
That sequence helped make history—again, for the wrong reasons. Wednesday marked the first time since 1901 that an MLB club’s first three hitters all struck out in their first three at-bats of a game.
Rasmussen, meanwhile, turned that early control into a full outing. He pitched seven scoreless innings, finishing with 13 strikeouts and allowing just two hits to Boston.
Red Sox interim manager Chad Tracy described what made Rasmussen difficult. saying. “It’s tough because you’ve gotta beat guys like that. You watched him early. especially those first few innings. kind of putting the ball where he wanted and good velocity up at the top. And we expanded the zone a little bit.”.
Boston did eventually wake up. Rafaela hit a three-run home run in the eighth inning to pull the team back into the game. But even that jolt wasn’t enough to change the outcome, as the Red Sox lost 7-5 and saw their bullpen falter again en route to a series sweep by the Rays.
The loss adds to a season that’s been defined by instability offensively. The Red Sox now sit 12 games under .500 with a record of 27-39. Their lineup production has lagged across major categories: they rank last in MLB in home runs (52). 29th in runs scored (258). and 27th in slugging percentage (.376).
Red Sox Rays Drew Rasmussen Jarren Duran Ceddanne Rafaela Wilyer Abreu MLB history strikeouts Chad Tracy bullpen