VIDEO: Bogaerts' grand slam propels Red Sox out of last place
On a night where the Boston Red Sox honored their oldest player, it was one of their youngest who stole the show.
Xander Bogaerts, 22, launched his first-career grand slam into the Monster Seats in the eighth inning on Monday off Tampa Bay Rays reliever Brandon Gomes, to give the Red Sox an 8-6 lead.
"We know there's power in there," interim manager Torey Lovullo told reporters. "We're seeing it of late where he's got a little finish to his swing and balls are jumping off his bat and he's getting that backspin you're looking for. I think the upside for Xander is fairly unlimited. He's going to be a special player moving forward."
Interim closer Robbie Ross would preserve his third-straight save despite surrendering a solo home run, as the Red Sox leapfrogged the Rays in the standings with the 8-7 win.
The victory moved Boston out of last place for the first time since June 3.
The Red Sox celebrated David Ortiz prior to the game for becoming the 27th player in MLB history with 500 career home runs. The 39-year-old clubbed the milestone home run in Tampa Bay on Sept. 12.