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Mahtook caps Rays' comeback win vs. Red Sox

BOSTON -- Tampa Bay got just enough offense along with a quality start from Matt Moore en route to a 5-2 win over Boston on Tuesday night at Fenway Park.

Trailing, 2-1, after five innings, the Rays scored twice in the sixth against Henry Owens on Evan Longoria's sacrifice fly, aided by right-fielder Mookie Betts' throwing error. Mikie Mahtook added a two-run homer in the eighth to put the Rays up, 5-2.

The Red Sox got busy early against Moore when Travis Shaw singled home two in the first against the Rays' left-hander, who came away with his second win of the season.

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
Forsythe breaks Owens' spell: Owens retired the first 12 Rays batters he faced before Logan Forsythe doubled to left to lead off the fifth. Forsythe eventually scored on a sacrifice fly by Steven Souza Jr. to cut the Red Sox lead to 2-1.

Video: TB@BOS: Souza Jr. plates Forsythe with a sac fly

Sharp start, bumpy finish: It was Owens' second straight start in which he faced the minimum the first time through the opponents' lineup, and this time he extended the effort by three additional batters. He struck out four and needed only 38 pitches through the first four innings before allowing the Forsythe double. Owens then allowed the leadoff batter to get on in the next four innings and faced 19 batters in that span before departing with one out in the eighth, with his club trailing, 5-2. More >

Video: TB@BOS: Owens strikes out Maile in the 3rd inning

More from Moore: Moore carried a string of seven scoreless innings into Tuesday night's start. The Red Sox ended the streak in the first when they scored twice to take a 2-0 lead. The Rays' left-hander, who has had endured some rough spots since returning from Tommy John surgery, then held the Red Sox scoreless over the next 5 2/3 innings. More >

Video: TB@BOS: Moore strikes out seven over 6 2/3 innings

Mookie continues to mash: Betts led off the bottom of the first with a double to left-center, extending his on-base streak to 25 consecutive games. The double sparked an early rally that was highlighted by Shaw's two-run single. Betts, who has hit safely in 31 of his last 34 games, now has 37 doubles and 60 extra-base hits on the year.

QUOTABLE
"He's making the most of an opportunity right now. We felt very strongly about Mikie helping us at some point this year, even in Spring Training, getting some consistent at-bats. He's making even more of those opportunities. He's done a tremendous job since he's been back up here in September." -- Rays manager Kevin Cash, on Mahtook, who has hit .391 since being recalled on Sept. 1

"I think a little bit of credit has to be given to Matt Moore for finding a rhythm. He started getting a breaking ball over, his elite breaking ball. He got aggressive with his fastball and he shut us down, and they were able to play catchup and chip away at Henry." -- Red Sox interim manager Torey Lovullo

SOUND SMART WITH YOUR FRIENDS
Brad Boxberger, who earned his 36th save of the season, has made nine appearances against the Red Sox this season and is 2-0 with four saves, allowing no runs on five hits and two walks while striking out 17 in nine innings.

Video: TB@BOS: Boxberger fans Marrero to record the save

The 60 extra-base hits by the 22-year-old Betts are the most in a season by a Red Sox player under 23 years old since Tony Conigliaro had 61 in 1966 at age 21.

WHAT'S NEXT
Rays: Drew Smyly (3-2, 3.64 ERA) allowed a season-high-tying five earned runs in his last start on Friday night against the Orioles, all scored via two home runs. He has surrendered 11 home runs in 54 1/3 innings this season. He is 2-1 with a 2.10 ERA in seven career regular-season appearances (five starts) against the Red Sox. He'll get the ball at Wednesday for the 7:10 p.m. game.

Red Sox: Right-hander Rick Porcello (8-13, 5.16 ERA) will make his fourth start of the season against the Rays on Wednesday. In the prior three vs. Tampa Bay, he has gone 2-0 with a 2.70 ERA and 19 strikeouts, and in his five starts since returning from the disabled list, he is 3-2 with a 3.06 ERA and 34 strikeouts, eight of which came in a Sept. 12 win over the Rays.

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Bill Chastain is a reporter for MLB.com. Craig Forde is a contributor to MLB.com.