Red Sox beat Rays 4-2 to close in on playoff spot

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Roman Anthony homered and drove in three runs and the Boston Red Sox took a big step toward clinching an American League playoff spot with a 4-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday night.

The Red Sox, who entered Friday with a magic number of three, could secure a wild-card spot as early as Saturday.

Junior Caminero and Jonathan Aranda drove in runs for the postseason-bound Rays. They had won six in a row.

Anthony hit the game’s third pitch from Ian Seymour (9-7) into the right-field seats for his third career leadoff homer. Then, in the second inning, Anthony broke a 1-1 tie and drove in two more runs with a two-out single.

Jahmai Jones gave Boston a 4-1 advantage with his own solo homer to lead off the third. Caleb Durbin added two hits for the Red Sox, who own the American League’s third-best record (84-70), behind the Rays and Yankees.

Red Sox starter Ranger Suarez (8-4) threw 5 2/3 innings, allowing three hits and one run with five walks and five strikeouts. He also snared Taylor Walls’ 100-mph liner in the fourth, before completing an inning-ending double play.

Tampa Bay couldn’t capitalize on multiple opportunities, including nine Red Sox walks. The Rays left the bases loaded in the sixth and ninth, when Erik Miller retired Chandler Simpson on a game-ending grounder. Tampa Bay was 0 for 13 with runners in scoring position.

Boston left-hander Erik Miller had his fifth save despite a shaky ninth inning, including three wild pitches and two walks.

Tampa Bay RHP Freddy Peralta (9-11, 4.67 ERA) was set to start Saturday. Boston had yet to announce a starter.

See AP’s full MLB coverage here

Boston Red Sox third baseman Caleb Durbin (5) catches a pop out by Tampa Bay Rays' Liam Hicks during the eighth inning of a baseball game Friday, Sept. 18, 2026, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Boston Red Sox's Greg Weissert pitches to the Tampa Bay Rays during the seventh inning of a baseball game Friday, Sept. 18, 2026, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Boston Red Sox left fielder Roman Anthony celebrates with third baseman Caleb Durbin (5) after the team defeated the Tampa Bay Rays during a baseball game Friday, Sept. 18, 2026, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Boston Red Sox's Trevor Story, left, and Caleb Durbin celebrate after scoring on a two-run single by Roman Anthony off Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Ian Seymour during the second inning of a baseball game Friday, Sept. 18, 2026, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Boston Red Sox's Roman Anthony watches his two-run single off Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Ian Seymour during the second inning of a baseball game Friday, Sept. 18, 2026, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Breanna Stewart scored 24 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, Jonquel Jones had 18 points and 10 rebounds, and the New York Liberty beat the slumping Minnesota Lynx 93-81 on Friday night in a possible first-round playoff matchup.

Stewart moved past Sue Bird and into ninth place on the WNBA's career scoring list with 6,806 points. She's five points behind Cappie Pondexter for eighth place.

Stewart also had four assists and three steals. Sabrina Ionescu scored 17 points, with six assists and three steals, Pauline Astier scored 14, and reserve Marine Johannes 13.

Olivia Miles scored 20 points to lead Minnesota, losers of three straight. Kayla McBride scored 16, Napheesa Collier 14, Courtney Williams 12 and Natasha Williams 11.

Miles converted a three-point play for a 69-67 Lynx lead with 8:18 left. Stewart responded with a 3-pointer on New York's following possession and the Liberty never trailed again.

New York outscored the Lynx 23-12 the rest of the way.

Despite the loss, Minnesota retained the WNBA’s top seed while the Liberty moved up to sixth.

New York (25-16) has won eight of its last 11. The Lynx (31-10) have dropped three straight for the first time this season.

See AP’s full WNBA coverage here

New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu, foreground, shoots during the second half of a WNBA basketball game against the Minnesota Lynx, Friday, Sept. 18, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Minnesota Lynx guard Olivia Miles (5) blocks a shot-attempt by New York Liberty guard Pauline Astier, right, during the second half of a WNBA basketball game Friday, Sept. 18, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Minnesota Lynx guard Olivia Miles, center right, and New York Liberty center Jonquel Jones, center left, hug during the final seconds of a WNBA basketball game Friday, Sept. 18, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

New York Liberty guard Marine Johannes, top, and Minnesota Lynx guard Maya Caldwell, bottom, battle for possession of the ball during the second half of a WNBA basketball game Friday, Sept. 18, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

New York Liberty forward Breanna Stewart (30) dribbles downcourt as Minnesota Lynx guard Maya Caldwell (3) defends during the second half of a WNBA basketball game Friday, Sept. 18, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)