The Boston Red Sox (76-76) defeated the Tampa Bay Rays (74-78) 2-1 on Wednesday night at Tropicana Field. The win evens the three-game series at one game apiece.
Ryan Pepiot had a career night for the Rays, pitching six innings in which he allowed just one earned run on two hits while striking out twelve - a career high - and walking none. In the fifth inning he managed an immaculate inning - striking out three Red Sox batters on just nine pitches - the fourth time a Rays pitcher has managed the feat.
Taylor Walls gave the Rays an early 1-0 lead with a RBI single in the second inning. The only real blemish on Pepiot's night came in the sixth, when Trevor Story hit a solo home run to tie the game 1-1. The Red Sox broke the tie in the eighth inning when Jarren Duran hit a RBI single to give Boston a 2-1 lead. Drew Rasmussen (0-2, 2.78) took the loss out of the bullpen after relieving Pepiot.
The Rays and Red Sox now meet in the rubber game of the three-game series coming up on Thursday night. First pitch Thursday is scheduled for 6:50 PM - pregame coverage begins with Ronnie Lane hosting the Inside Pitch at 5:30 PM on 95.3 WDAE & AM 620, your Home of Rays Baseball.
COVER PHOTO COURTESY GETTY IMAGES