Red Sox eliminated, then lose to Rays in 11

The World Series champion Boston Red Sox were mathematically eliminated in the late innings, then lost to the host Tampa Bay Rays 5-4 Friday night when Willy Adames had an RBI single in the 11th.

A year after going 108-54 to win their third straight AL East title, the Red Sox (80-73) were knocked out during the ninth inning when Cleveland beat Philadelphia, around the time Mitch Moreland hit his second two-run homer.

There has not been a repeat World Series champion since the 1998-2000 New York Yankees. Ten of the last 18 champions failed to reach the playoffs in the year after their title.

Mike Brosseau and Daniel Robertson drew two-out walks in the 11th from Trevor Kelley (0-3), and Adames lined a single to left that scored pinch-runner Johnny Davis from second base.

Diego Castillo (4-8) struck out Moreland with a runner on first to end the top of the 11th.

Moreland put the Red Sox ahead 2-0 with his seventh-inning homer off Charlie Morton on an 0-2 pitch, then tied the score against Emilio Pagan with a drive to left.

ASTROS CLOSE TO CLINCHING >> Carlos Correa hit two home runs, Jose Altuve and Alex Bregman also connected, and the Houston Astros dropped their magic number to clinch a third straight AL West title to one by beating the visiting Los Angeles Angels 6-4 for their sixth win in a row.

Altuve sent Jaime Barria’s fifth pitch into the left field seats to spark a five-run first inning, which also included Bregman’s 38th homer and Correa’s first connection after missing nearly a month with a sore back — this was his second game since returning.

Zack Greinke (17-5) retired his first six batters before Kevan Smith hit his first pitch of the third inning into the bullpen in right-center.