The Red Sox lost a tight game in extras to the Rays, their fourth straight, by a score of 6-5. Kyle Weiland started for the Sox, and lasted just four innings, allowing three runs, all earned, with just one strikeout and three walks. Alfredos Aceves, the ace out of the bullpen this year, kept the game close, pitching 4 solid innings, and allowing two runs. Then Papelbon followed with two perfect innings, and Daniel Bard pitched just one out and got the loss in extras. The Rays starter was Jeremy Hellickson, who pitched six innings and allowed three earned runs with two K’s and three walks. After that, the Rays used an astounding seven relievers, with Brandon Gomes getting the win.
It was a close contest throughout, with a lot of back and forth scoring, two of the Red Sox’s runs courtesy of a two run blast by Adrian Gonzalez. But the Rays surged ahead in the sixth, up 5-3. But late in ninth, Saltalamacchia and Ellsbury hit two clutch homers to send it into extras. Bard eventually gave up a walk off single by Evan Longoria.
The Red Sox look to salvage a win out of the series with Jon Lester (15-6, 2.93) pitching against James Shields (14-10, 2.77) at Tropicana Field.
