Rays Vs. Red Sox: Preseason Contenders Now Tied For Distant Last Place

In their first nine games, the Tampa Bay Rays scored 20 runs. The Rays scored nine of those 20 runs in one game, which they won. The lost the other eight games.

Through 10 games, though? The Rays have scored 36 runs, a perfectly respectable figure for this point in the season. And the Rays gained that run-production flexibility Monday night at the expense of the Boston Red Sox, pounding out eight runs against Daisuke Matsuzaka, then seven more against relievers Tim Wakefield and (ex-Ray) Dan Wheeler on their way to a 16-5 blowout.

Most of the damage was done by the bookends in Tampa Bay's lineup: Nos. 1 and 2 hitters Johnny Damon and Sam Fuld both drove in three runs, as did No. 8 and 9 hitters John Jaso and Reid Brignac. Fuld particularly impressed, with his four hits including two doubles, a triple, and a home run. Fuld's second double came in the ninth inning, and he happily took second base instead of remaining on first to complete the cycle. With Manny Ramirez gone and Johnny Damon shifting to DH duties, Fuld figures to see plenty of action down the road.

Rookie of the Year candidate Jeremy Hellickson didn't pitch particularly well, walking five Red Sox in 5-1/3 innings, but gave up only two runs and earned his first win of the season.