Wander Franco hit a tiebreaking two-run homer in Tampa Bay's three-run sixth inning as the Rays topped the host Boston Red Sox 8-1 in the rubber match of a three-game series on Thursday afternoon.

Mike Zunino had a three-run blast and Brandon Lowe and Manuel Margot drove in one run apiece for the Rays, who bounced back from a 20-8 loss to Boston on Wednesday after winning the series opener 8-4 on Tuesday.

Former Red Sox reliever Collin McHugh (4-1) earned the win after tossing two scoreless innings with three strikeouts. Tampa Bay starter Drew Rasmussen allowed one run on one hit with two walks and four strikeouts.

With their sixth win in their last seven games, the Rays moved five games ahead of the second-place Red Sox atop the American League East standings.

Rafael Devers drove in the lone run for Boston, which has dropped 12 of its last 16 games. Red Sox starter Tanner Houck (0-3) gave up four runs (three earned) on six hits while striking out eight over five innings.

Kevin Kiermaier singled to lead off the Tampa Bay third, stole second and advanced to third on catcher Kevin Plawecki's throwing error before scoring on Lowe's one-out sacrifice fly.

Devers tied the game at 1-1 for Boston on his two-out double in the home fourth.

Franco's fifth homer of the season after Lowe's leadoff single in the sixth made it 3-1. Nelson Cruz doubled in the next at-bat and later scored on a bases-loaded balk by Red Sox reliever Hansel Robles.

Margot tacked on an insurance run with a sacrifice fly in the eighth before Zunino's 23rd homer of the season made it 8-1.

Kiermaier went 3-for-3 with a walk and two runs in his return to the Rays' lineup after missing the last three games with a sore right knee.

Tampa Bay visits Minnesota for a three-game series beginning Friday night. Boston right-hander Nick Pivetta (8-5, 4.34 ERA) starts Friday to begin a three-game home series against Baltimore.

--Field Level Media