Napoli homer gives Red Sox 7-5 win against Rays

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BOSTON -- In terms of artistic merit, it left a lot to be desired. But there was some late-inning drama, and for the Red Sox, a win, too, which have been rare enough.

Mike Napoli, whose name was mentioned prominently in trade rumors before Friday's deadline, delivered a two-run homer into the first row of the Monster Seats, erasing a one-run deficit and sending the Red Sox to a 7-5 win over the Tampa Bay Rays.

The two teams combined for five errors and three wild pitches and a handful of lead changes.

Alejanrdo De Aza singled home a run in the fifth to snap a 3-3 tie for the Sox, but Robbie Ross Jr. walked one batter and hit another in the seventh, and pinch-hitter John Jaso blasted a double over the head of center fielder Jackie Bradley Jr., giving the Rays a 6-5 lead.

In the bottom of the inning, however, David Ortiz worked an 11-pitch walk against lefty Jake McGee and Napoli followed with his third homer in the last 13 games and 13th of the season.

Junichi Tazawa picked up the win, and Koji Uehara nailed down the save, his 23rd of the season.

Starter Eduardo Rodriguez had an off night, walking four in just five innings and allowing a run in each of the first three innings of the night.

The Sox scored three runs in the bottom of the first off Tampa Bay starter Erasmo Ramirez, with all three unearned thanks two errors by the Tampa infield.

      

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