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Red Sox pay a visit to Rays at the Trop

Jul 15, 2011 - 3:10 PM (Sports Network) - Two teams hoping to get their second half off to a better start than they began the first half square off this evening, as the Boston Red Sox begin a three-game set with the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field.

Both Boston and Tampa Bay opened the year by losing their first six games. The Red Sox actually lost 10 of their first 12, but managed to turn it around and headed into the break atop the American League East standings, 1 1/2 games in front of the New York Yankees and six ahead of the Rays.

"It was a very difficult start. There's no getting around that," Boston manager Terry Francona said. "We were taking some pretty good shots. I think we went out and proved that we can be a good team. We're not done yet, not even close, but we're playing better baseball."

While prized free agent signing Carl Crawford, who is currently sidelined with a hamstring injury, has struggled, it has been Boston's other offseason pickup who has carried the team. Adrian Gonzalez has been everything the Red Sox could have asked for, as the slick fielding first baseman is tied for the major league lead with a .354 average and leads the majors with 77 RBI.

Injuries have also wreaked havoc on the Red Sox' starting rotation, opening the door for left-hander Andrew Miller, who has responded by going 3-0 with a 3.57 earned run average. Miller won his third straight start last Thursday against Baltimore, as he allowed three runs and six hits in five innings.

Miller lost his only other start to the Rays, surrendering five runs in 6 1/3 frames.

The Red Sox may not have designated hitter David Ortiz in the lineup this evening. The All-Star slugger was suspended four games by MLB on Thursday for his actions in last Friday's melee with the Orioles. However, he could decide to appeal the decision.

Tampa, meanwhile, headed into the break by losing four of six, but tonight will hand the ball to their ace in lefty David Price, who was part of history his last time out. Price served up Derek Jeter's 3,000th hit on Saturday, but did not receive a decision in his team's 5-4 loss that day, as he allowed four runs and seven hits in five innings.

Price lost to the Red Sox the last time he faced them, but owns a 4-3 lifetime mark against Boston with a 3.43 ERA in seven games.

The Rays have won three of five from the Red Sox this season. Boston, though, has won six of its last nine in St. Petersburg.