the fifth three-homer game of his career, and J. D. Martinez also homered. The Red Sox reached 11 games over .500 (58–47) for the first time this year. Boston also won the third game of the series, 9–5, with Martinez and Andrew Benintendi hitting home runs. The Red Sox were unable to complete the sweep, as the Yankees won Sunday's game, 9–6. The two teams combined for five errors, including a throwing error by Jackie Bradley Jr. that allowed two runs to score. Benintendi again homered, while Chris Sale saw his record fall to 5–10 on the season. Red Sox won the series 3–1 (44–22 runs) July 30–July 31, vs. Tampa Bay Rays Boston scored two first-inning runs in the opening game of the series and held a 5–4 lead after five innings, but fell to Tampa Bay, 6–5. The Red Sox left seven runners on base in the final three innings. Andrew Benintendi homered for the third consecutive game. In the series' second game, the Rays had a 5–0 lead after two innings, and went on to an 8–5 win. J. D. Martinez and Michael Chavis each homered. Boston finished July with three consecutive losses; at 59–50, the team was 10 games behind the division-leading Yankees, and games out of the second wild card spot. August August 1, vs. Tampa Bay Rays (cont'd) Tampa Bay completed their sweep of the three-game series with a 9–4 win. Xander Bogaerts had two home runs, and Mookie Betts also homered. Andrew Benintendi was 3-for-4 at the plate with three doubles. With four losses in a row, Boston fell to 59–51 on the season. Red Sox lost the series 0–3 (14–23 runs) August 2–4, at New York Yankees The opening game of this series—with four games to be played in three days, due to a rainout earlier in the season—was won by New York, 4–2. All scoring occurred in the first inning, with Boston's runs coming on a J. D. Martinez home run with Xander Bogaerts on base. The Red Sox' losing streak reached five games, for the first time since their 2015 season. New York won the second game of the series, 9–2, in the first game of a Saturday doubleheader. Boston's two runs came on solo homers by Jackie Bradley Jr. and Andrew Benintendi. Red Sox manager Alex Cora and starting pitcher Chris Sale were both ejected in the fourth inning.