Grissom has RBI double to help Red Sox beat Rays 3-1

BOSTON (AP) — Vaughn Grissom had an RBI double and scored a run to help Boston beat Tampa Bay 3-1 on Sunday in the teams’ season finales, earning the Red Sox third place ahead of the Rays in the AL East.

The Red Sox finished the season with a record of 81-81, missing the playoffs for the third straight year for the first time since 2010-12. Boston was 78-84 in each of the past two seasons.

“It’s disappointing that we didn’t make it, especially the way the season went the last month and a half, not only with us but around the league,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said before the game. “We had a chance.”

The Rays ended the year at 80-82, halting a stretch of five consecutive seasons going to the postseason. They went 99-63 in 2023. It was the Rays' first losing season since 2017.

“I mean, look, not where we want to be,” Tampa Bay manager Kevin Cash said. “Know that we've got some work to do. I'm confident we will work very hard this offseason and certainly going into spring training to find a way to be playing a little deeper.”

Dylan Carlson had three singles and an RBI for Tampa Bay.

Boston honored longtime radio voice Joe Castiglione with an on-field pregame ceremony. The 77-year-old called his final game Sunday after being the team’s lead radio voice since 1983. He was honored by the Baseball Hall of Fame this summer with the Ford C. Frick Award.

Before the top of the eighth, the team ran a montage of his calls over highlights shown on the center-field scoreboard. When it was over, the entire Red Sox dugout emptied, with players stepping onto the field, looking up and applauding toward him in the booth behind home plate.

“The players coming out ... that would be up there,” he said of what moment touched him the most.

Recalled from Triple-A Worcester before the game, 24-year-old right-hander Quinn Priester (3-6) allowed a run on four hits over five innings in his Red Sox debut. He was acquired from Pittsburgh for minor league infielder Nick Yorke on July 29.

Justin Slaten got the final three outs for his second career save.

Making his 26th start, Rays 27-year-old righty Ryan Pepiot (8-8) gave up two runs, one earned, in four innings. It was his 13th straight start allowing three or fewer runs.

Grissom doubled in the third and scored from third on Triston Casas’ grounder to first, sliding in to make it 2-0.

“It was a long season, I thought we did some great things,” Boston outfielder Jarren Duran said. “We had our bumps in the road. Overall, I thought we had a really good season. We had some young guys, (they) kind of had to learn their bumps in the big leagues, which was good. ... I’m just excited with what they’re going to be able to do in the years to come.”

The paid attendance was 34,862, giving the Red Sox a home total of 2,659,949 for the season.

“You reflect on what happened during the season, what happened in the second part of the season,” said Cora of his team going 28-38 since the All-Star break. “It's going to hit us hard to be honest with you. ... It's a reality. We didn't play good baseball at the end.”

TRAINER'S ROOM

Red Sox: Cora said after the game that Masataka Yoshida would have an MRI on one of his shoulders Tuesday.

UP NEXT

Rays: Host the Red Sox in their spring training opener on Feb. 22.

Red Sox: Host Northeastern in their first spring training game on Feb. 21.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB

Tampa Bay Rays' Ryan Pepiot delivers a pitch to a Boston Red Sox batter in the first inning of a baseball game, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Boston Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran, center, smiles after scoring on a Tampa Bay Rays error after teammate Vaughn Grissom hit a double in the third inning of a baseball game Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Tampa Bay Rays' Josh Lowe, left, scores on an error in front of Boston Red Sox catcher Connor Wong, right, fourth inning of a baseball game, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Boston Red Sox's Ceddanne Rafaela, right, slides out at second on a steal attempt as Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Jose Caballero, left, tags him in the fourth inning of a baseball game, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Tampa Bay Rays' Logan Driscoll, left, slides out at second base as Boston Red Sox shortstop Nick Sogard, right, throws to first to complete a double play in the fifth inning of a baseball game, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Boston Red Sox's Connor Wong grounds into a fielder's choice in the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Boston Red Sox's Luis Guerrero delivers a pitch to a Tampa Bay Rays batter in the seventh inning of a baseball game, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Tampa Bay Rays' Ryan Pepiot delivers a pitch to a Boston Red Sox batter in the first inning of a baseball game, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Boston Red Sox's Quinn Priester delivers a pitch to a Tampa Bay Rays batter in the first inning of a baseball game, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Boston Red Sox's Vaughn Grissom hits a double in the third inning of a baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Boston Red Sox's Vaughn Grissom, right, scores in front of Tampa Bay Rays catcher Logan Driscoll, left, after Triston Casas grounded into a fielder's choice in the third inning of a baseball game, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — Patrick Mahomes has run through the gamut of situations in his 100 regular-season starts.

Even though the Kansas City Chiefs were down 10-0 to the Los Angeles Chargers a little more than 11 minutes into Sunday's game, Mahomes knew there was plenty of time to bounce back.

On a day he passed for 245 yards and a touchdown while rediscovering his connection with Travis Kelce, Mahomes singled out his defense as the pivotal reason the two-time defending Super Bowl champion Chiefs rallied for a 17-10 victory and are 4-0 for the first time since 2020.

“We weren’t playing good. but I think the best thing is, no one talks about it and they start to now, but our defense is really good,” said Mahomes, who completed 19 of 29 passes. “They know how to shut the door and keep us in games. Then they believe that the offense is going to find a way to score enough points at the end.”

Kansas City has won six straight over the Chargers. It also has 11 straight road victories victories over its AFC West rival, the longest active winning streak by a visiting squad and tied for third all-time.

“I’m proud of our guys for hanging in there. Easily could have gone a different direction there, but the guys supported each other," coach Andy Reid said.

The Chiefs bounced back after losing wide receiver Rashee Rice to a potential season-ending knee injury in the first quarter. Rice was hit by Mahomes while both players were pursuing Chargers cornerback Kristian Fulton during an interception return.

The Chargers (2-2) scored 10 points off a pair of Chiefs turnovers — a fumble by Carson Steele and Mahomes' fifth interception of the season — but that was it.

Los Angeles went three-and-out on four of its eight possessions in the final three quarters. Nonetheless, the Chargers had a chance to take the lead early in the fourth quarter when they drove to the Kansas City 3-yard line, but Justin Herbert's pass intended for tight end Hayden Hurst was incomplete after Chris Jones and Felix Anudike-Uzomah applied pressure on fourth-and-1.

Seven minutes later, Samaje Perine put Kansas City ahead with a 2-yard touchdown run up the middle.

The Chargers, who won their first two games behind a strong running game, finished with only 55 yards rushing and averaged 2.3 yards per carry.

“Got to get Justin just a little bit more time. Some of the throws he made, some of the plays he made were incredible,” Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh said. “Got to look at how we respond from here, and it’ll be like starting the season over again when we come back (from the bye week).”

Mahomes completed passes to six players. Kelce had a season-high seven receptions for 89 yards and set the franchise’s career receptions record, surpassing fellow tight end Tony Gonzalez.

Xavier Worthy had three catches for 73 yards, including hauling in a 54-yard pass from Mahomes in the second quarter for the Chiefs' first touchdown.

Kansas City's defense also took advantage of a hampered Herbert, who was playing with limited mobility because of a high ankle sprain and had a patchwork offensive line because of injuries to tackles Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt.

“We were able to create some pressure there in the second quarter and second half, and get those guys going,” linebacker Drue Tranquill said. “We knew they were a little beat up on the O-line, and there might be some communication, chemistry issues. We were able to take advantage of that down the stretch.”

Herbert was sacked twice by Jones and was hit 10 times on 31 dropbacks. He completed all seven passes in the first quarter, but was 9 of 20 the rest of the way.

“They do a good job of getting after the passer. We expected that, we knew that, and I thought we were preparing for it,” said Herbert, who was 16 of 27 for 179 yards with a touchdown. “I thought the offensive line did a great job stepping up, blocking, doing everything they needed to do, but it’s definitely on us to be better.”

After Steele's fumble, Herbert completed all four of his passes on Los Angeles' opening 10-play drive, including a 7-yard strike to Ladd McConkey in the back of the end zone. Herbert took a big hit from Chiefs defensive end Malik Herring while throwing, but he put the ball in a tight spot as safety Bryan Cook had his back turned.

Cameron Dicker's 50-yard field goal extended the Chargers' lead to 10-0. The drive started after Fulton intercepted Mahomes' pass intended for Kelce and returned it 29 yards up the right sideline.

Rice punched the ball loose behind Fulton and Chiefs center Creed Humphrey recovered. But a video review showed Rice was out of bounds when he forced the fumble, allowing LA to keep the ball.

Kansas City had a pair of turnovers and went three-and-out on four of its first five possessions before getting on track late in the second quarter.

The Chiefs took over at their 46 after forcing the Chargers to go three-and-out, and Mahomes immediately connected with Worthy for the deep touchdown. Worthy, the speedy rookie receiver who was the 28th overall pick in April's draft, blew past Fulton on a go route and caught it 3 yards deep in the end zone on a pass from Mahomes that went 64 yards in the air.

Harrison Butker's 37-yard field goal tied it at 10-all midway through the third quarter.

Chiefs: At Minnesota Vikings next Sunday.

Chargers: After a bye, visit Denver on Oct. 14.

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/NFL

Los Angeles Chargers cornerback Kristian Fulton, left, fumbles the ball out of bounds after intercepting a pass as Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice (4) defends during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice is taken off the field on a cart after being injured during the first half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Los Angeles Chargers running back J.K. Dobbins, top, is stopped by Kansas City Chiefs defensive back Chamarri Conner, bottom, during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert throws under pressure from Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Trent McDuffie (22) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) catches a pass as a host of Los Angeles Chargers defend during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

Kansas City Chiefs defensive back Jaden Hicks is unable to make an interception in the end zone during the second half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

Los Angeles Chargers running back J.K. Dobbins, right, struggles for yardage as Kansas City Chiefs safety Nazeeh Johnson, left, defends during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Kansas City Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt (29) runs with the ball as Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Daiyan Henley defends during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid yells from the sideline during the second half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) is pushed out of bounds by Los Angeles Chargers cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. (26) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy, right, is celebrates after catching a 54-yard touchdown pass from teammate Patrick Mahomes, left, during the first half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)