The Boston Red Sox will look for their first win of the Roman Anthony era when they continue a three-game series against the visiting Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday night.
The No. 1 overall prospect according to MLB.com, Anthony made his big-league debut on Monday in the series opener, a 10-8, 11-inning win for Tampa Bay.
Though Anthony went 0-for-4 with a walk and an RBI after being recalled from Triple-A Worcester earlier in the day, the game offering a glimpse into Red Sox’s future. Fellow youngsters Kristian Campbell and Marcelo Mayer hit behind him in the lineup.
“We’re excited. It’s a big day for the organization,” Boston manager Alex Cora said of Anthony joining the club. “He’s going to swing at strikes. That’s the key, right? That’s his mantra, and he’s going to continue to do that here.”
At 21 years, 27 days old, Anthony — who batted fifth and played right field on Monday — became the youngest Boston player to earn a promotion since a 20-year-old Rafael Devers in 2017.
“(The feeling) is just more excitement — it’s more knowing that you’re ready and just trusting in my ability to go out there and have fun and play with these guys and help the team,” Anthony said.
The Red Sox were unable to find a win in Anthony’s debut, though, as they battled late but lost for the eighth time in 12 extra-inning games this season.
With Anthony gaining comfort in the lineup, the Red Sox will be hoping for a bounce-back start out of Lucas Giolito (1-1, 6.42 ERA), who lasted just 1 2/3 innings in his Wednesday start against the Los Angeles Angels. He allowed seven runs on eight hits but took a no-decision as Boston came back for an 11-9 win.
Giolito has not emerged victorious since May 11 against the Kansas City Royals, as he has taken no-decisions in his past four straight outings. In eight career starts vs. Tampa Bay, he is 2-1 with a 2.70 ERA.
The Rays, meanwhile, have won back-to-back games and six of their past seven to move six games above .500 for the first time since the end of 2023.
Highlighted by an 11th-inning RBI single, Jake Mangum finished 4-for-6 and drove in two runs for Tampa Bay, but Connecticut native Ian Seymour stole the show in extras in his major league debut.
“The pitchability stands out,” Rays manager Kevin Cash said of the 26-year-old left-hander, who was recalled from Triple-A Durham over the weekend.
All Seymour did was become just the third major league pitcher since 1901 to debut and earn a win in extra innings while recording at least two innings pitched without allowing an earned run or a hit.
“I don’t know if I could script it any better, truly,” Seymour said. “Pretty special moment that I certainly won’t ever forget.”
It was a brilliant effort amid a taxing stretch for the Tampa Bay bullpen, as the Rays was playing extra innings for the second time in three days.
Tampa Bay righty Ryan Pepiot (3-5, 3.20 ERA) has taken tough-luck no-decisions in his past two starts since earning a May 25 win over the Toronto Blue Jays. He has allowed just two runs and five hits in 12 2/3 innings across his two more recent outings, most recently working six innings of two-run ball with eight strikeouts on Thursday against the Texas Rangers.
Pepiot is 0-2 with a 4.95 ERA in four career starts against the Red Sox. He lost to Boston on April 15, when he struck out eight but allowed six runs on nine hits across six innings.
–Field Level Media
