Boston wins at Tampa Bay while Friday's MLB race tightens

Boston took a 4-2 win at Tampa Bay on Friday, extending a four-game winning streak and taking a useful road result from the American League East leader. MLB's standings listed the Red Sox at 79-65 before the game and Tampa Bay at 85-58, so the win narrowed Boston's immediate margin in the division race while preserving its position in the wild-card picture.

The Red Sox scored four runs on nine hits and hit two home runs, while Tampa Bay finished with two runs. Boston also drew two walks and left 18 runners on base, a sign that the final score could have been wider even though the Rays never found a late answer.

New York moved the other way in Arizona. The Yankees beat the Diamondbacks 9-2, putting together the cleanest offensive night among the American League contenders in Friday's late window. The Dodgers also beat San Francisco 8-2, a result that kept Los Angeles from giving back ground in the National League West.

Other notable finals included Atlanta's 6-2 win at Houston, Seattle's 5-4 win at Colorado and Washington's 9-1 win at St. Louis. Saturday's schedule gives the Red Sox and Rays another meeting in Tampa Bay, while the Yankees return to Arizona and the Dodgers host the Giants again.

The Friday results left Boston with momentum and another chance to pressure Tampa Bay directly. The next game will show whether the Red Sox can turn one strong road night into a series win.