A steady parade of Tampa Bay pitchers managed to silence Red Sox bats Sunday, with five different hurlers contributing to a two-hit, 2-0 shutout of the Sox. It was the fifth shutout loss of the season for the Red Sox, who didn't have a hit after the fourth inning and couldn't produce a baserunner after the fifth.
The winning pitcher was former Red Sox prospect Jalen Beeks, who pitched four innings, allowing one hit and two walks.
The Rays got solo homers from Joey Wendle off starter Hector Velazquez in the second and a one-out solo shot from C.J. Cron off Matt Barnes in the ninth.
IN-GAME OBSERVATIONS:
3:38 First run by either team since the second inning, as C.J. Cron golfs a changeup out to left-center off Matt Barnes. Only the third homer allowed by Barnes this season.
2:41 Brandon Workman has been the very picture of efficiency, retiring the first six hitters he's faced in a row and needing just 13 pitches to record six outs.
2:28 After averaging 5.5 runs in the first two games, Red Sox bats have been mostly quieted today, with two hits through four innings. Red Sox are also 0-for-4 with RISP.
2:08 Some control issues for Hector Velazquez -- three walks and a hit batsman -- but he's allowed just one run in four innings to give the Red Sox a chance here today. At 73 pitches, that's probably it for him.
1:35 Jalen Beeks coming in to pitch for the Rays -- no doubt, a bundle of emotions for him as he faces the team that drafted him and then traded him last month.
WHO: Red Sox vs. Tampa Bay Rays
WHEN: 1:05 p.m.
WHERE: Fenway Park
WHAT’S UP: The Red Sox have won the first two games of the series and go for the sweep this afternoon. They’ve taken 11 of 15 between the teams this year and own a 10.5 game lead over the second-place Yankees. Overall, Boston has won 7-of-8, 13-of-15 and 17-of-20. Tampa has lost its last two after starting their road trip 4-2. They remain, however, a game over .500 for the season.
STARTING PITCHERS: RHP Hector Velazquez (7-0, 2.77) vs RHP Diego Castillo (3-2, 3.63)
TV/Radio: NESN; WEEI FM, 93.7 FM
LIVE BOX: MLB Gameday
LINEUPS
Red Sox
Betts RF
Benintendi LF
Pearce 1B
Martinez DH
Bogaerts SS
Nunez 3B
Holt 2B
Swihart C
Bradley CF
Rays
Smith RF
Duffy 3B
Bauers LF
Pham CF
Wendle SS
Cron 1B
Choi DH
Lowe 2B
Sucre C
NEWS AND NOTES
- Alex Cora said he hopes for five innings from spot starter Hector Velazquez this afternoon.
- Eduardo Rodriguez will make a rehab start for Double-A Portland Monday, looking to go four innings.
- Steven Wright is also getting closer to a rehab assignment, though he will be utilized in relief.