The Tampa Bay Rays (48-40) defeated the Boston Red Sox (47-42) 4-1 on Wednesday night at Tropicana Field. The Rays have now won the first three games of the four game series between AL East opponents.
Rays ace Shane McClanahan (10-3, 1.71) was brilliant once again, allowing just one earned run on three hits in six and one-third innings of work. Needing just 85 pitches, he struck out six and walked none as he continues to make a case to start for the American League in the All-Star Game next Tuesday in Los Angeles.
Ji-Man Choi and Harold Ramirez each had RBI singles in the third, before Taylor Walls hit a solo homer in the fourth to give the Rays a 3-0 lead. The Red Sox got their lone run in the fifth inning, before Yandy Diaz drove in a run in the seventh inning to make it a 4-1 score.
The Rays will now look to sweep the Red Sox in the series finale of the four game series on Thursday night. First pitch Thursday is scheduled for 7:10 PM - pregame coverage begins with Jay Recher hosting the Inside Pitch at 6:00 PM on 95.3 WDAE & AM 620.
PHOTO COURTESY GETTY IMAGES