Abreu’s two-homer night lifts Red Sox past Rays, extends winning streak

The Boston Red Sox reminded everyone Friday night at Fenway Park why they’re the hottest team in baseball right now. A 5-3 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays marked their 11th consecutive win, and it wasn’t some pitching clinic or defensive masterpiece. No, this was old-fashioned offensive firepower, with Wilyer Abreu putting on a two-homer clinic that had the Fenway faithful roaring.

Let’s be honest: the first inning was an absolute mess for Boston. Jarren Duran’s throwing error allowed the Rays to score two runs immediately, and Junior Caminero‘s ground ball single pushed another run across. Suddenly, the Red Sox were down 3-0 before most fans had finished their first beer. This looked like a potential letdown spot for a team riding high.

But the Red Sox didn’t blink. Abreu answered back in the bottom of the first with a two-run homer that made it 3-2, and then Willson Contreras followed immediately with a solo shot to even the score at 3-3. That back-to-back power display was exactly the kind of confidence statement a winning team makes. Contreras looked tremendous connecting on his 21st home run of the season.

The Rays momentarily seized momentum when Junior Caminero launched his 29th home run in the third inning to retake a 4-3 lead. For about 10 minutes, it felt like this thing was going to be a genuine shootout. But Abreu had other plans. His second homer of the night in the third inning tied it right back up, and by the fourth inning, Anthony Seigler’s RBI double off the bat gave Boston the lead for good at 5-4.

What’s remarkable here isn’t just that the Red Sox won. It’s how they won. Mason Englert was decent for Tampa Bay through five innings, allowing five runs on eight hits, but that wasn’t nearly enough firepower for a Rays team that scored exactly three runs. The bullpen work was where things got interesting. Greg Weissert came in for just two-thirds of an inning, then Aroldis Chapman sealed the deal with a perfect ninth inning, striking out two batters to preserve the victory.

This Red Sox team is something special right now. Abreu finished 2-for-4 with two home runs and three RBIs. Contreras added his power stroke. Caminero battled for Tampa Bay with two hits and a homer, but it wasn’t enough. The real story is Boston’s consistency and that they can overcome early mistakes and respond with the kind of punch that separates contenders from pretenders.

With 11 straight wins, the Red Sox aren’t just playing well. They’re playing with the kind of swagger that makes October opponents nervous. Friday’s 5-3 victory at Fenway wasn’t pretty, but it was effective. And in baseball, effective wins are the only ones that count in the standings.