The Tampa Bay Rays (44-31) snapped their seven game losing streak by defeating the Boston Red Sox (44-30) 8-2 on Wednesday night at Tropicana Field. The Rays pulled back within half a game of the Boston Red Sox in the AL East standings.
After the Red Sox scored in the top of the first inning, Austin Meadows hit a two-run bomb in the bottom of the inning to give the Rays to lead. The Rays added three in the second - thanks in part to a two-run Mike Zunino homer - and a three-run homer from Brandon Lowe in the seventh to take control of this game.
Rich Hill (6-2, 3.52) allowed just one earned run on three hits while striking out five and walking five in five innings of work.
The Rays and Red Sox meet in the rubber game of the three game series on Thursday night. First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 - pregame coverage begins with Jay Recher and the Inside Pitch at 6 on 95.3 WDAE & AM 620.
PHOTO COURTESY GETTY IMAGES