BOSTON, Sept. 15 (UPI) -- Evan Longoria ignited a home run barrage with a three-run shot Thursday and powered the Tampa Bay Rays to a 9-2 victory over Boston.
The Rays moved within three games of the Red Sox in the race for the American League wild-card berth. The teams have met four times during the past week and Tampa Bay has won each time.
Longoria's homer, his 27th, highlighted a four-run third inning. Casey Kotchman added a two-run blast in the sixth and B.J. Upton had a two-run homer in the seventh. Upton singled in a run prior to Longoria's shot in the third -- giving both players three RBI for the game.
Jeremy Hellickson (13-10) benefited from the long-ball outburst, getting the win after giving up a lone run on three hits over 5 1/3 innings.
Kyle Weiland (0-2), making his fourth start since being called up from Class AAA, surrendered four runs on three hits in three innings to take the loss. Weiland's previous start also came against the Rays and he gave up three runs over four innings in that one while not figuring in the decision.
