by : Jay Recher
@jayRecher
You're not going to get many good pitches to hit against Boston ace Chris Sale, but when you get them, you better make them count.
And that's exactly what the Rays did as they defeated the Red Sox 4-1 on Thursday night at Tropicana Field.
Wilson Ramos was 2 for 3, including a long two-run home run to set the tone for the Tampa Bay offense.
The Red Sox got on the board first against Rays starter Jake Faria with a Deven Marrero sacrifice fly in the 3rd, but that was all the offense Boston could muster.
Faria (4-0) wasn't his sharpest but he still gave Tampa Bay six solid innings giving up four hits, four walks and that lone run.
Ramos then tied the game in the top of the 4th with an RBI double that scored Logan Morrison, who singled with one out. Morrison was 3 for 4 with a double and that one run scored on the evening.
Peter Bourjos hit a solo shot in the 5th to give the Rays a 2-1 advantage and then Ramos' homer in the 6th was all the insurance Tampa Bay would need.
The Rays backstop was also a force behind the plate, throwing out Andrew Benintendi trying to steal in the 2nd and Tzu Wei-Lin trying to advance to third on a wild pitch in the 5th.
Sale (11-4) went seven innings giving up seven hits, four runs and struck out 12.
Alex Colome pitched a scoreless 9th for his 23rd save of the season.
What's Next For The Rays : The Rays are back in action tomorrow night as they welcome in the Red Sox for the second game of a four-game set. Tampa Bay will send RHP Jake Odorizzi (5-3, 4.08) to the mound and Boston will counter with LHP Drew Pomeranz (8-4, 3.64). First pitch is scheduled for 7:10pm with our coverage kicking things off at 6pm with the Inside Pitch ONLY on 620WDAE and 95.3FM, Home of the Rays!