The Tampa Bay Rays beat the Boston Red Sox 5-0 in the first game of the ALDS matchup. The Rays now lead the best of five series one game to none, and picked up their first ever shutout in a home game in the postseason.
The Rays took an early lead in this game, thanks to an RBI double from Wander Franco and a RBI single from Yandy Diaz in the bottom of the first. Nelson Cruz hit a solo home run in the bottom of the third, and Randy Arozarena hit a solo home run in the fifth to build a 4-0 lead. Arozarena, last year's postseason star for the Rays, then made some history in the seventh inning.
After there was already two outs in the seventh inning, Arozarena took a walk. He then moved to third on a double from Wander Franco, before beginning some theatrics at third base. Those theatrics resulted in him stealing home base - a straight steal of home - to give the Rays a 5-0 lead. He became the first player in major league history to hit a home run and steal a base in a playoff game.
Shane McClanahan (1-0, 0.00) pitched five shutout innings for the Rays to start the game. A year after he made his major league debut in the playoffs, he made the most of his opportunity on Thursday night, striking out three and walking none. Eduardo Rodriguez (0-1, 10.80) lasted only an inning and two thirds in his start for Boston, allowing two earned runs on two hits while striking out one and walking two.
The Rays now look to take a commanding 2-0 series lead over the Red Sox on Friday night. Shane Baz will start for the Rays, opposite Chris Sale for Boston. First pitch Friday is scheduled for 7:02 PM - pregame coverage begins with Jay Recher and the Inside Pitch at 6 PM on 95.3 WDAE & AM 620.
PHOTO COURTESY GETTY IMAGES