Final: Red Sox 1, Rays 0 - Crochet pitches complete-game shutout against Rays

The Boston Red Sox extend their winning streak to nine games behind a complete game shutout from their ace. 

In his last start before the all-star break, Garrett Crochet was on the mound through all 27 outs of the game striking out nine batters and limiting the Rays to just three hits. 

It wasn't just Crochet's pitching that got this shutout. The defense, especially in the infield, made huge plays to help Boston come away with the win.

The most notable defensive play came in the 6th inning. With runners on the corners, Ha-Seong Kim dropped a bunt. Abraham Toro fielded the bunt and tossed the baseball to home plate in time for Carlos Narváez to tag the tying run out.

Although the Red Sox went relatively quiet at the plate, they were able to get on base in most innings collecting five hits on the day. Narvaez drove in the only run of the game in the 4th inning after a Roman Anthony double, and every bat at the top of the order recorded a hit.

While it wasn't as exciting of a game compared to yesterday, Crochet again showcased his value to this team pitching one of his his best starts in a Red Sox uniform.

Boston will wrap up their series with Tampa Bay tomorrow at 1:35 p.m. with Brayan Bello on the mound. 

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WHO: Red Sox (51-46) vs Rays (50-45)
WHEN: 4:10 p.m.
WHERE: Fenway Park, Boston
SERIES TO DATE: (2-0), (6-2)
STARTING PITCHERS: LHP Garrett Crochet (9-4, 2.39 ERA) vs. RHP Shane Baz (8-4, 4.34 ERA)
TV/RADIO: NESN, MLB Network, WEEI-FM 93.7

LIVE BOX

LINEUPS

RED SOX

Jarren Duran (L) CF
Ceddanne Rafaela (R) 2B
Roman Anthony (L) LF
Carlos Narváez (R) C
Masataka Yoshida (L) DH
Trevor Story (R) SS
Wilyer Abreu (L) RF
Abraham Toro (S) 1B
Marcelo Mayer (L) 3B

SP Garrett Crochet

RAYS

Yandy Díaz (R) 1B
Ha-Seong Kim (R) 2B
Jake Mangum (S) CF
Junior Caminero (R) DH
Christopher Morel (R) LF
Curtis Mead (R) 3B
Danny Jansen (R) C
José Caballero (R) RF
Taylor Walls (S) SS

SP Shane Baz

WHAT'S UP

The Red Sox look to keep their winning streak going after yesterday's miraculous walk-off home run from Ceddanne Rafaela.

 Hunter Dobbins tore his ACL in his right leg in yesterday's start. This injury will likely end his season. Richard Fitts was called up to take Dobbins' spot on the roster.

Alex Cora said that  Red Sox and Houck have not had discussions about his role (starter or reliever) when he returns, per MassLive. “I think we’re still talking through what the situation looks like,” chief baseball officer Craig Breslow said in regard to Houck. “Obviously, he’s been a really good starter in the big leagues for some time. We’ll have to figure out what’s right for Tanner and what’s right for the team.”