FORT MYERS (620 WDAE) -- Boston's two runs off Rays starter Alex Cobb in the third inning was too much for Tampa Bay to overcome, as the Rays dropped their fourth styraight Grapefruiit League game and fifth contest overall, a 2-1 decision to the Red Sox at JetBlue Park.
Boston got to Cobb in the third inning, as Dustin Pedroia led off the inning with a base hit and Mookie Betts followed two batters later with a walk. Pedroia stoile third base and scored on a base hit by Mitch Moreland, and Betts scored in the same fashion, stealing third and scoring on an infield hit by Pablo Sandoval.
Cobb worked into the fourth, allowing four hits and two walking in giving up the two runs. He said despite the results, he was happy with how things went at JetBlue Park.
"The progress I made this week going into this start versus last week's start I'd take hands down," Cobb explained. "I never understood when guys said 'I don't care about the results,' but it's ringing true to me now."
Meanwhile, Boston starter Chris Sale pitches four innings of one-hit baseball, striking out five.
Tampa Bay's only run came in the top of the eighth inning, as Alec Sole singled home Braxton Lee, who had singled and stolen second base earlier in the frame off reliever Brandon Workman.
The Rays return to Port Charlotte Sunday for a matchup against the Toronto Blue Jays. Eras i Ramirez will get the start, taking on Ryan Borucki. First pitch is scheduled for 1:05, with coverage on WDAE scheduled to start at 12:30 with Countdown to Opening Day.
Listen to comments from manager Kevin Cash and Alex Cobb below!