Four-Run Rally Puts Devil Rays on Top

Greg Norton hit a home run in the 10th inning, and the Tampa Bay Devil Rays rallied from a four-run deficit to overcome David Ortiz’s major league-high 40th homer and beat the Boston Red Sox, 7-6, on Sunday.

Norton sent an opposite-field drive into the left-field stands on a 2-and-0 pitch from Julian Tavarez (2-4).

Boston, second to the New York Yankees in the American League East, dropped two games behind for the first time this year.

Dioner Navarro’s homer against Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon completed a two-run eighth that tied it at 6-6. Papelbon entered with one out after Travis Lee’s homer against Mike Timlin.

Boston had threatened in the top of the 10th when Coco Crisp singled with one out against Brian Meadows and stole second. Mark Loretta flied out, Ortiz was intentionally walked, Shawn Camp (4-0) relieved, and Manny Ramirez flied out.

Ortiz became the first Red Sox player to hit 40 homers in three consecutive seasons, hitting a home run during a three-run fifth as Boston took a 5-2 lead. Only Boston players Carl Yastrzemski (1967, 1969, 1970) and Ramirez (2001, 2004, 2005) have hit 40 or more homers in three seasons.

Red Sox starter Jason Johnson, who lost his previous seven starts, gave up two runs and three hits in six innings. Tampa Bay’s J.P. Howell gave up five runs and five hits in 4 2/3 innings.

Ramirez extended his career-best hitting streak to 22 games with an eighth-inning single. His fly ball to right center landed between right fielder Russell Branyan and center fielder Damon Hollins, who appeared to have communication problems on the play.