The Boston Red Sox (88-36) knocked off the Tampa Bay Rays (62-61) 5-2 on Saturday night to win the three game series at Fenway Park.
Tyler Glasnow (1-3, 4.10) got the start for the Rays, and was not sharp early. After the Rays missed an opportunity to score with runners at first and third and only one out in the top of the first, Boston had no trouble coming alive offensively in the bottom half of the first. After Andrew Benintendi doubled with one out, Mitch Moreland drove him in with an RBI double. Glasnow then walked three consecutive batters, including a bases loaded walk to Ian Kinsler, that gave Boston a 2-0 lead. Jake Bauers then committed a fielding error that allowed two runs to score and gave the Red Sox a 4-0 lead and put Tyler Glasnow in danger of not finishing the first inning. However, the Red Sox them attempted a double steal - and the Rays were able to get both outs - to get Glasnow out of the jam and give him a chance.
From there, Tyler Glasnow's only mistake was a J.D. Martinez home run pitch in the third inning that lifted the Red Sox to a 5-0 lead. For Martinez, it was his MLB-best 38th home run and 106th run batted in. Glasnow then went on to retire the next twelve batters he faced, making huge adjustments and eating huge innings for the Rays after such a rough first inning. Though he appeared moments from being pulled in the first inning, Tyler Glasnow rallied to turn in the longest outing of his brief Rays career.
Former Ray David Price (13-6, 3.69) started the game for Boston, and had another successful outing. He pitched seven innings, allowing only a CJ Cron two-run home run in the sixth innings as the only blemish against him. All told he pitched seven innings, allowing just the two earned runs on five hits, striking out eight while walking two. Ryan Brasier worked a perfect eighth before Craig Kimbrel came in to close it out. Kimbrel pitched a 1-2-3 ninth inning to pick up his 37th save for the first place Red Sox.
The Rays now look to avoid being swept when they battle the Red Sox in the series finale on Sunday afternoon. First pitch from Boston comes up at 1:10 Sunday - coverage begins with Steve Carney and the Inside Pitch at 11 AM on 620 WDAE and 95.3 FM, your home of the Rays.