Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Kutter Crawford reacts after giving up an RBI single to Tampa Bay’s Junior Caminero in the fifth inning Saturday in Boston. Michael Dwyer/Associated Press

BOSTON — Kutter Crawford allowed his major league-high 34th home run – a go-ahead drive by Junior Caminero – and took his big league-worst 16th loss when the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Boston Red Sox 7-2 Saturday.

“Command was off today. He didn’t have feel for the four-seamer,” Red Sox Manager Alex Cora said. “So, a lot of cutters. He’s very efficient if he attacks the zone. Today he was erratic.”

Caminero had three RBI for the Rays (80-81), who with a series sweep would avoid their first losing season since 2017. Caminero and Brandon Lowe had three hits each.

“I felt good,” Caminero said through a translator. “Go out there, play my game that I know how to pay. Things are working out for me right now. And just being consistent, that’s the key for me.

Shane Baz (4-3) won his third straight start, allowing two runs and three hits in six innings with seven strikeouts, one walk, two hit batters and a run-scoring wild pitch.

“Very encouraged with the way he finished it,” Rays Manager Kevin Cash said. “He looked good today. Limited damage. Did a nice job of being super efficient, even with the home run in the first inning. The swings and misses that they took, the efficiency. I think you respect the fact that he’s got nasty stuff. Guys don’t want to get deep in an at-bat with him, and that works in his favor if he’s throwing strikes like he was.”

Crawford (9-16) gave up six runs, five hits and four walks in 4 1/3 innings, with six strikeouts, finishing with a 4.36 ERA. His 33 starts tied for the major league lead.

“Not very good,” Crawford said. “Didn’t have a whole lot of feel for the fastball, so I had to use the cutter a lot, but overall, just not a very good outing.”

Tristan Casas’ 13th homer put Boston (80-81) ahead in the first inning.

Caminero gave the Rays a 2-1 lead with a two-run homer in the third, following Yandy Díaz’s walk,

Tampa Bay opened a 4-1 lead in the fifth on consecutive one-out singles by Díaz, Brandon Lowe, Caminero and Jonathan Aranda, the last two driving in runs. Josh Lowe hit a two-run single off Greg Weissert.

Red Sox center fielder Jarren Duran doubled up Josh Lowe at first base in the fourth on Jose Siri’s flyout. Duran began the day with 12 assists, tied for the major league lead among outfielders.

Boston finished 8-7 this year in its yellow City Connect uniforms, a tribute to Patriots Day weekend and the Boston Marathon. The Red Sox are 20-10 in the yellow jerseys since the start of 2023.