Matt Joyce hit his second grand slam in six games, Elliot Johnson and Carlos Pena also hit homers and the Tampa Bay Rays won their third straight game, 7-4 over the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. The Red Sox fought back from a 7-1 deficit, but lost for just the fourth time in the last 14 games.
Both teams emptied onto the field in the ninth-inning after Red Sox reliever Franklin Morales threw behind designated hitter Luke Scott with his first pitch, and finally hit him in the hip with the count 3-1. Scott began walking towards the mound and was restrained by Red Sox catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia, as both benches and bullpens emptied onto the field.
While there was plenty of pushing and shoving going, no punches were thrown and order was restored. Both teams were warned and there were no ejections. Fernando Rodney closed the game with his 15th save in 15 tries.
Apparently someone in the Boston dugout took exception to Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia being hit by pitch the sixth inning by Rays reliever Burke Badenhop. The Red Sox retaliated by plunking Scott. Rays manager Joe Maddon wants to know who that someone is. The two teams have two games remaining, both nationally televised in this weekend’s series.
