Richie Palacios delivers game-winning hit as Rays walk off Red Sox

Marc Topkin, Tampa Bay Times on Sep 19, 2026

Published in Baseball

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ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Red Sox have caused the Rays some problems this season, sweeping four games in Boston in the first series after the All-Star break and then taking the opener of the current series on Friday night.

Saturday evening, the Rays struck back.

Richie Palacios blooped a single to shallow right field to score Junior Caminero with the decisive run in a 2-1 walk-off win.

Caminero started the rally with a leadoff single. After Jonny DeLuca popped out, Chandler Simpson also singled. Both runners moved up on a passed ball.

The win improved the Rays’ American League-leading record to 94-60 and maintained at least their four-game East Division lead over the Yankees, who played later at Arizona.

The Rays also reduced their magic number to clinch the division to five, with the potential to do so as soon as Tuesday, when they play a doubleheader at Yankee Stadium.

Saturday’s game drew an announced crowd of 27,402, the second largest of the season at Tropicana Field.

The Red Sox took a 1-0 lead in the third off Rays starter Freddy Peralta, who was throwing well. Chad Durbin led off with a double, and Jarren Duran bunted him to third.

The Rays pulled the infield in and got the second out on a grounder to shortstop Jorge Mateo, but Roman Anthony, who had a big night in Friday’s series opener, delivered an RBI double.

The Rays didn’t have much going at the plate but managed to tie the game in the fourth on one swing. Jonathan Aranda drove Brayan Bello’s first pitch over the left-field fence for his 22nd homer and 92nd RBI of the season.

The Rays had a prime opportunity to go ahead in the seventh inning, when Liam Hicks rapped a leadoff single and Simpson dropped a hit into shallow right field.

But they failed to convert. Victor Mesa Jr. grounded out to second. Palacios hit a grounder to short that the Red Sox turned into an out at home, nabbing DeLuca, who was pinch running for Hicks. Then Cedric Mullins struck out, slamming his bat to the ground in frustration.

The Red Sox had a chance to take the lead in the top of the ninth after Durbin doubled past Caminero with one out. He got a good break to steal third, but Nick Fortes fired a throw and Caminero made a slick catch and tag for the out.

After Duran tripled with two outs, Isiah Kiner-Falefa bounced a ball down the third-base line that Caminero grabbed and fired to first for the out.

Peralta didn’t extend his four-start winning streak but still delivered a strong outing, allowing the one run while pitching into the sixth. He gave up four hits, walked two and struck out six.