St. Petersburg, FL (Sports Network) - Jon Lester threw six scoreless innings while he and three relievers combined to hold Tampa to one hit, as Boston topped the Rays, 2-0, in the middle portion of a three-game series at Tropicana Field.
Jon Lester, Three Relievers Combine To One-Hit Rays
David Ortiz slugged a two-run double for the Red Sox, who have taken the first two games in the set and have won four in a row overall.
Lester (5-2) struck out nine and surrendered the hit to Willy Aybar with one out in the fourth, but despite issuing a season-high five walks, picked up his fifth straight positive decision.
“I had a hard time getting into a rhythm,” said Lester. “It was one of those nights; it was just kind of a battle from the beginning. I was just not in a rhythm, not in the flow of the game, just kind of had a thick feeling. It’s obviously nice to get out of there without any runs.”
Jonathan Papelbon turned in a scoreless ninth to record his 11th save.
Jason Bartlett walked three times for the Rays, who have lost three of five.
James Shields (5-2) took the loss despite allowing four hits and two runs over eight innings. The right-hander retired the final 16 batters he faced but suffered his second defeat in three decisions.
Boston got on the board in the third as J.D. Drew singled with two down, Kevin Youkilis walked and both men scored on an Ortiz double.
Rays left fielder Carl Crawford and manager Joe Maddon were both ejected by home-plate umpire Bob Davidson while vehemently protesting a first-pitch strike with one on and two down in the fifth. Lester remained composed and struck out pinch-hitter Sean Rodriguez swinging and the Rays came away with nothing.
“(There was) just a wide strike zone all night long,” said Maddon about his disagreement. “When Gabe Kapler starts to complain, then I really have to pay attention.”
Lester walked Evan Longoria with one out in the sixth, but he was stranded on second after the left-hander finished his outing by getting Aybar on a grounder and fanning Carlos Pena swinging.
Manny Delcarmen set down Tampa in order in the seventh, and Daniel Bard followed suit in the eighth.
Aybar walked with one out in the ninth against Papelbon, then moved to second on a weak grounder to the mound from Pena. B.J. Upton then struck out swinging to end the game.
The Red Sox, who were swept in a four-game set by the Rays in Boston from April 17-19, have won four of their last five games in St. Petersburg...Boston pitchers fanned 12 Rays batters.
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