MLB: Tampa Bay 8, Boston 5

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., Sept. 2 (UPI) -- Pat Burrell singled in the go-ahead run in the eighth Wednesday and Evan Longoria soon added a two-run homer, launching Tampa Bay to an 8-5 win over Boston.

The Red Sox, whose four-game winning streak ended, saw their lead in the American League wild-card race trimmed to 2 1/2 games over Texas. Tampa Bay is five games back.

Facing a 5-4 deficit in the top of the eighth, Boston loaded the bases with one out and scored the tying run on a wild pitch by reliever J.P. Howell.

Howell then struck out Alex Gonzalez and Jacob Ellsbury to prevent further damage and the Rays regained the lead in the bottom half of the inning.

Carlos Pena led off the eighth with a double off Ramon Ramirez (7-4) and scored on Burrell's single to right. Manny Delcarmen relieved Ramirez and Longoria hit Delcarmen's first pitch over the wall in left.

Burrell and Carl Crawford each hit their 13th homers of the season to help Tampa Bay build a 5-1 lead.

Howell (7-4) got the win despite giving up the tying run in the eighth.