A four-run ninth-inning rally earned the Tampa Bay Rays an 8-4 win in the opener of this three-game series on Tuesday. They have now won four straight while the slumping Red Sox have dropped 11 of their last 14 games.

Boston right-hander Nathan Eovaldi (9-7, 4.07 ERA) has allowed 12 runs over his last 12 starts alone, and the Red Sox have lost each of his last five starts. Eovaldi gave up six runs (five earned) in 5 1/3 innings against Tampa Bay in a loss July 31 to fall to 3-6 with a 5.24 ERA in 12 outings (10 starts) against the Rays.

Tampa Bay left-hander Josh Fleming (9-5, 4.12) has fanned 13 while holding opponents to five runs over 10 innings in his last two starts. The team has won five of his last six starts, including a 7-3 win over Boston on July 30.

10* play on Tampa Bay Rays.