BOSTON -- Not since the early playing days of Carlton Fisk had a Red Sox team seen so many rookies starting a game as it did Wednesday night.

Back on Sept. 21, 1971, Fisk led the way along with six other rookies to lift Boston to a 6-3 win over the Ted Williams-managed Washington Senators. Forty-three years later, the likes of Xander Bogaerts and Garin Cecchini were doing the same, leading a septet of rookies into battle against a Tampa Bay Rays team that didn't even exist back then.

Whether Bogaerts or Cecchini go on to enjoy as successful a career as Fisk did won’t be determined for years to come. For now though, the two are riding high as Cecchini hit his first career home run Wednesday night and Bogaerts collected three RBIs in an 11-3 rout of the Rays that gave the Red Sox their 69th win of the season, tying the total achieved by the disastrous 2012 team managed by Bobby Valentine.

“This is what Red Sox Nation has been following for a lot of years, the young guys,” Cecchini said. “It’s pretty cool getting opportunities and producing.”

“Youth is served, there’s no doubt about it,” manager John Farrell said. “There’s a talented group. We’ve got an opportunity in September to give experience.”

Joining Cecchini and Bogaerts in Wednesday night’s lineup were fellow rookies Mookie Betts, Bryce Brentz, Rusney Castillo and Christian Vazquez, all enjoying solid nights at the plate to back rookie starter Anthony Ranaudo.

Each of the six reached base multiple times on the night, sparking the Sox to their largest margin of victory since July 21 (a 14-1 win over the Blue Jays). In all, the six went a combined 7-for-20 with eight runs scored and seven RBIs.

Anthony Ranaudo (career-high seven innings) and Garin Cecchini (first career home run) were two of seven rookies to help boost the Sox past the Rays. AP Photo/Michael Dwyer

Cecchini got things started for the Red Sox early, blasting a 2-1 fastball from Rays starter Jake Odorizzi over Tampa’s bullpen in right for a solo shot to lead off the second inning.

“Dream come true,” Cecchini said of his first homer. “As a little kid you dream of hitting home runs in the big leagues. Thought I had one yesterday, but this one was pretty cool.”

Later in the frame, Bogaerts came to the plate with the bases loaded and one out with the Red Sox down by one. Although he wasn’t able to open the game up, Bogaerts lofted a fly ball deep enough to left to score the tying run.

Put in a similar situation in the fourth inning after Brentz, Vazquez and Betts all reached with no outs, Bogaerts took advantage the second time around, roping a single off the wall in left for two runs. A Daniel Nava double one batter later drove in another two and sent Odorizzi packing after three-plus innings with five runs allowed.

Then came the final rookie-fueled rally two innings later. Already up 7-2, the Red Sox tacked on three more runs via bases-loaded walks from Castillo (his first major league RBI), Vazquez and Betts. With ball four to Betts getting past Rays catcher Jose Molina, Castillo took advantage, coming around to score from second and give the Red Sox a four-run inning.

“He makes a good read,” Farrell said. “From the dugout you couldn't tell if the ball lodged behind anything after the wild pitch or the fact that he saw Molina go after it. Whatever the reason, he read it accurately. To see the speed underway is pretty exciting.”

While Castillo’s speed was seen by all in the park, Cecchini running in front of him had another sense triggered on the play.

“I saw him coming. I heard him too,” Cecchini said. “He got to show off his speed, that’s what you all were talking about when he signed.”

The offense was plenty of support for Ranaudo, who put together the best start of his major league career. The right-hander cruised through a career-high seven innings, allowing two runs on six hits and holding an opponent homerless for the first time in his seven major league starts.

With the quality outing, Ranaudo’s season ends at 4-3 with a 4.81 ERA.

“I think if he takes a step back and looks at the overall work this year from April through his time in Pawtucket to know it’s been an outstanding development year for him,” Farrell said. “He’s learned some valuable things while here. This should be a little bit of a springboard into the offseason.”

Ranaudo agreed, pointing specifically at being able to go seven Wednesday night.

“I think that’s a really good building block for me to take home for the offseason,” he said. “There’s still some things that I need to work on and get better with. Definitely something to build off of for sure.”

Wednesday’s game represented a best-case scenario for the Red Sox. Not only did they come out on the winning side, but they were able to provide valuable experience to a group of young players who could hold a pivotal role with the team entering 2015.

And while the wins and losses matter little at this point in the season, don’t tell that to the rookies like Cecchini who want nothing more than to continue enjoying nights like Wednesday with the big league club.

“No matter if you’re in last place or first place, we got the win and that’s what it’s here for,” Cecchini said. “I know it’s cliche saying that, but we’re here to win. Sometimes you’ve got to have pride. Even if you’re in last place, you want to be here to win.”