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Crawford, Red Sox square off against Rays

Apr 11, 2011 - 3:01 PM (Sports Network) - Carl Crawford faces his former team for the first time this evening when the Boston Red Sox square off against the Tampa Bay Rays in the first of three matchups at Fenway Park.

Arguably the best player in Tampa's short history, Crawford was a four-time All-Star in nine years with the Rays and is the franchise leader in hits (1,480), runs (765), RBI (592), doubles (215), triples (105) and stolen bases (409). Crawford left the Rays as a free agent this offseason, signing a monster seven-year, $142 million deal with the Red Sox.

While Crawford hasn't made an impact yet with the Red Sox, who have just two wins through their first nine games, his presence has certainly been missed with the Rays, as they are off to an even worse start, winning just one of their first nine games.

Crawford was 0-for-5 on Sunday and saw his average dip to .132 on the year, but it didn't matter, as Josh Beckett was brilliant in his team's 4-0 win over the New York Yankees. Beckett (1-1) struck out 10 and allowed only two hits and walked just one in eight innings to get the win.

"It was huge," said Red Sox catcher Jason Varitek. "That lineup has been real good. You have to be good. He was really good."

Marco Scutaro hit a key two-run double in the seventh to help Boston win the series after it started the year 0-6. Dustin Pedroia also had three hits in the win and recorded at least three in each of the three games this weekend, making him the first Red Sox player to accomplish that in the team's first three home games since Ira Flagstad did it in 1926.

"We just need to win," said Red Sox manager Terry Francona. "Tonight's game is tonight's game. Now we have to move on and play good tomorrow."

Getting the call for the Red Sox tonight will be Japanese righty Daisuke Matsuzaka, who struggled in losing his season debut. Matsuzaka lost to the Cleveland Indians on Wednesday, allowing three runs and six hits with three walks in five innings.

He has also had his issues with the Rays, as he is just 2-6 in 12 starts against them with a 5.09 ERA.

Tampa, meanwhile, continued to struggle this weekend, dropping three of four to the Chicago White Sox, culminating with a 6-1 loss on Sunday at U.S. Cellular Field.

Tampa Bay starter Jeff Niemann (0-2) got rocked in 2 2/3 frames, allowing five runs -- three earned -- on five hits.

Offense has been the Rays' biggest problem in the early going. Aside from their only win that saw the Rays cross the plate nine times, Tampa Bay has managed just 11 runs in its eight losses.

"Nine games in, bottom line is we need to find a way to win," Rays outfielder B.J. Upton said.

Tonight, the Rays will turn to 24-year-old right-hander Jeremy Hellickson, who lost to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim his last time out. Hellickson gave up three runs and six hits in 5 2/3 innings of that one.

He had a forgettable relief appearance against the Red Sox last season, as he surrendered three runs in just 1 2/3 innings.

"Really looking forward to it," Hellickson said of getting the start at Fenway. "I didn't pitch too well there last year, so I'm looking forward to getting back out there. ... It's a park you really want to go to growing up. I was in the bullpen [when we pitched at Fenway last year]. I enjoyed being in there. Once I got in there, I didn't do too well, so I want to get back out there."

Tampa won 11 of 18 from the Red Sox last season, including six of the nine matchups at Fenway.