Final
for this game
Boston's Crawford makes return to Tampa
Jun 14, 2011 - 2:55 PMVideo
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, though, left the Rays as a free agent this offseason, signing a monster seven-year, $142 million deal with the Red Sox.
"I know there's a lot of mixed emotions down there about me coming to Boston, so I'm not sure what kind of reception I'll get," Crawford said. "I'll just have to see when I get there."
Crawford has started to resemble the player he was with Tampa following a horrific beginning to his tenure in Boston. He is hitting .338 with 17 RBI over his last 17 games and has been a huge part of the Red Sox' current nine- game winning streak that has vaulted them into first place in the American League East.
The nine game tear is the team's longest winning streak since ripping off 11 straight wins from April 15-27, 2009.
Despite one of the worst starts in team history, the Red Sox now own the best record in the AL at 39-26. They have also won 14 of their last 16 away from home.
Hoping to keep the Red Sox rolling tonight will be veteran knuckleballer Tim Wakefield, who has won his last three decisions. Wakefield defeated the New York Yankees on Wednesday, but was not sharp, as he allowed five runs and five hits in 5 1/3 innings. Still, he improved to 3-1 to go along with a 4.84 ERA.
Wakefield has faced the Rays 45 times (34 starts) and is 21-6 against them with a 3.78 ERA.
Tampa, meanwhile, comes in on a sour note after dropping a 2-1 decision in 10 innings to the Detroit Tigers on Monday. Justin Ruggiano smacked an RBI double and Johnny Damon added a pair of hits for the Rays, who had won six of their previous eight contests.
Kyle Farnsworth (2-1) gave up two hits and the winning run in the 10th to pick up the loss.
Tonight, the Rays turn to right-hander James Shields, who is 5-4 with a 2.85 ERA. Shields did not get a decision on Wednesday in Anaheim, as he allowed three runs and seven hits in seven innings of his team's 4-3 win.
Shields is 5-9 lifetime against the Red Sox with a 5.17 ERA in 16 starts.
Tampa swept a weather-abbreviated two-game series from the Red Sox earlier in the year at Fenway Park.
- BOSTON: 0
TAMPA BAY: 4
Final
Jun 14 9:37 PM - Justin Ruggiano flied out to center. On the play, John Jaso doubled off first to end the inning.
Red Sox 0, Rays 4 End 8Jun 14 9:30 PM - Casey Kotchman single to left scored Matt Joyce. On the play, Evan Longoria advances to third. Runners on first and third with none out and B.J. Upton due up.
Red Sox 0, Rays 3 Bot 8, 0 OutsJun 14 9:21 PM - Jarrod Saltalamacchia's passed ball scored Evan Longoria. On the play, B.J. Upton advances to second on the passed ball. Runner on second with two outs and John Jaso at the plate.
Red Sox 0, Rays 2 Bot 6, 2 OutsJun 14 8:42 PM - Justin Ruggiano one-out, solo Home Run (3) to left. Reid Brignac due up.
Red Sox 0, Rays 1 Bot 5, 1 OutJun 14 8:19 PM - BOSTON: 0
TAMPA BAY: 0
Top 1, 0 Outs
Jun 14 7:11 PM
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