The Rays came up empty last night in the Bronx, but the Red Sox choked away a late lead in a 7-5 loss to Baltimore at Fenway Park.
That leaves Boston with a two-game lead in the AL wild card. The Sox have seven left to play; Tampa Bay has nine.
The Sox’ magic number to clinch the playoff spot is now seven.
The simplest way to explain that: If the total number of Red Sox wins
and Rays losses for the rest of the year reaches seven, Boston clinches. Red Sox losses and Rays wins do not affect the total.
