Red Sox file protest during Rays’ victory

Charlie Morton struck out 11 over seven innings and the Tampa Bay Rays avoided a three-game sweep by beating David Price and Boston 3-2 in a game that the Red Sox protested on Wednesday in St. Petersburg, Florida.

Confusion reigned in the top of the eighth when a series of defensive changes involving reliever Adam Kolarek prompted Boston manager Alex Cora to protest the game due to the placement of subs into the Rays lineup after the designated hitter was removed.

Kolarek replaced Morton and retired pinch-hitter Sam Travis on a pop fly. The left-hander then shifted to first base when Rays manager Boston manager Alex Cora yells at the umpires during Wednesday’s game against Tampa Bay. Kevin Cash brought in reliever Chaz Roe, who got a fly ball from Mookie Betts.

After Kolarek then returned to the mound and Nate Lowe entered to play first base, Cora met with the umpires, which prompted around a 15-minute stoppage as the umpires discussed the matter. ASTROS 4, ATHLETICS 2: Jose Altuve and George Springer both hit two-run homers to back up another solid start by Justin Verlander and give Houston a win over Oakland. Verlander (13-4) allowed two singles and one run, which was unearned, while striking out 11 in six innings for his third straight win. CUBS 4, GIANTS 1: Javier Báez homered in the first inning, Kris Bryant and Albert Almora Jr. also went deep, and Chicago beat San Francisco after starter Jon Lester was scratched with an illness. CARDINALS 14, PIRATES 8: Paul Dejong hit a career-high three home runs, including one during a nine-run second inning, and St. Louis walloped Pittsburgh.

FORMER INDIAN MOSSI, 90, DIES: Don Mossi, a left-handed pitcher who won 101 games in over a decade as a major leaguer and was an Allstar for the Cleveland Indians in 1957, has died. He was 90. Mossi made his big league debut in 1954 for the Cleveland team that won the American League pennant with 111 victories. He went 6-1 with a 1.94 ERA that year.