It’s been a long time since the Boston Red Sox took a series from the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Almost two years to be exact. The Red Sox were looking to solve that problem with Clay Buchholz on the bump.
After a rough start, Buchholz settled in and gave the Red Sox six strong innings and Mike Lowell’s sacrifice fly in the sixth brought in the winning run as they went on to win 6-3 over the Rays in front of 20,823 at Tropicana Field.
The win for the Red Sox (78-55) gives them a 3-game lead over the Texas Rangers in the wild card standings. The local nine remains 7.5 games behind the New York Yankees for first place in the AL East. The Rays (72-61) fall six games behind the Red Sox in the wild card with three head-to-head matchups left this season.
Buchholz (4-3) gave up two runs in the first after being staked to a 2-0 lead. He relaxed though and settled down as he retired the final nine batters he faced to get a win against a team other than the Toronto Blue Jays. Buchholz allowed three runs on six hits and a walk with three strikeouts.
The bullpen was solid behind Buchholz. The combination of Billy Wagner, Daniel Bard and Jonathan Papelbon could be a lethal one down the stretch and into the playoffs if they get that far.
Wagner walked one and struck out 2 in an inning while Bard walked one and struck out one in his inning off work. Papelbon picked up his 34th save of the season by striking out two in the 9th.
David Price started for the Rays and was tagged for four runs on six hits and two walks while striking out two in 5 1/3 innings.
Russ Springer retired the only two batters he faced out of the Rays bullpen while Brian Shouse and Chad Bradford each gave up a run. Lance Cormier allowed two hits in two innings.
Kevin Youkilis had a nice night at the plate with a 3-for-5 effort including an RBI. Jason Bay had two doubles and two RBI while Victor Martinez continues to impress in a Red Sox uniform with two more hits and an RBI. Rocco Baldelli added a solo home run off of his former teammate Price in the second inning.
Great effort from Buchholz keeping the Red Sox in the game and giving them a chance to win an important game. Every game is important but when you’re playing a team you’re competing with, it’s even more important to get that win.
The Red Sox did just that and now head to Chicago for a four-game set. Paul Byrd will make his second start for the Red Sox and he’ll be opposed by Freddy Garcia. First pitch is scheduled for 8:11 p.m. EDT.
