The Sox came into the game last night clinging to a 1/2 game lead in the AL East, so if they wanted to stay on top of the division they needed a win last night. The Sox had Jon Lester on the mound who has spent most of the last couple of months struggling, but he would not struggle last night. Lester had a quality start and got his 9th win of the season.
The Rays took an early lead in the 2nd when Wil Myers hit a leadoff HR, but the lead would not last for long. In the bottom of the inning the Sox tied the game when Carp hit an RBI single to score Napoli. Sox 1-1. In the 3rd the Sox took the lead on a double steal when Pedey went to 2nd and Victorino stole home. That's one of my favorite plays ever, unless it is happening to us. Sox 2-1. The Sox grabbed another run in the 5th when Pedey hit a sac fly to score Nava. Sox 3-1. The Rays got that run back when Lester gave up another leadoff HR, this time to Longoria. Lester didn't make many mistakes last night and luckily no one was on base either time he gave up a long ball. Sox 3-2. Lester started the 7th inning, but when he gave up a double he was done for the night. Lester looked like the pitcher we need him to be in his outing last night. His pitching line for the night was 96 pitches, 6.1 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 0 BB and 8 Ks.
Matt Thornton came out in the 7th and got an out before handing the ball over to Tazawa. Tazawa got the 3rd out of the inning and then pitched a scoreless 8th inning as well. It sure looks like the break gave Tazawa some much needed rest. In the bottom of the 8th the Sox added on some insurance runs. Stephen Drew hit an RBI single to score Napoli. Sox 4-2. Iglesias then hit an infield single to score Gomes and Drew. Sox 6-2. Uehara came out and had his usual 1-2-3 shutdown inning for the win.
Red Sox 6 Rays 2 BOXSCORE
WP: Lester (9-6) LP: Hernandez (5-11)
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