The Tampa Bay Rays (13-0) defeated the Boston Red Sox (5-8) 9-3 on Thursday afternoon at Tropicana Field. The Rays have now tied the 1987 Milwaukee Brewers for the most wins to start a season at 13-0 in the modern day era of Major League Baseball - an era that dates back to 1900.
Rob Refsnyder homered for the Red Sox to give Boston a 1-0 lead in the top of the first, but Yandy Diaz answered with a solo homer in the bottom of the first. The Red Sox then got runs in the fourth and the fifth to build a 3-1 lead, but Tampa Bay's offense exploded with a seven-run bottom of the fifth inning to take control of the game.
Jeffrey Springs allowed one earned run on one hit in three innings of work while striking out five and walking none. He left the game in the fourth inning with what the team is calling left arm ulmar neuritis.
Kevin Kelly (1-0, 3.12) picked up his first major league win after allowing one earned run in two and two-thirds innings of work out of the bullpen. Braden Bristo earned a save after pitching the final three innings of the game in what was his major league debut.
The Rays now go on the road for a six-game road trip that begins with three games in Toronto against the Blue Jays. First game comes up from Toronto on Friday night - first pitch is scheduled for 7:07 PM. Ronnie & T-Kras begin pregame coverage with the Inside Pitch on 95.3 WDAE & AM 620, your Home of Rays Baseball.
PHOTO COURTESY GETTY IMAGES