Final
Struggling Red Sox battle Rays at Fenway
Apr 13, 2012 - 2:57 PMVideo
With just one win through their first six games, the Red Sox kick off their home slate with the first of four games against the Tampa Bay Rays at Fenway Park.
Today's contest will also be the first for Bobby Valentine as Boston's skipper inside the ballpark that a week from today will be celebrating its 100th birthday.
"I'm really looking forward to getting into Fenway and getting the fans on our side," Valentine said. "It's been a long time. We've been on the road a couple of months.
"I know the guys are [looking forward to it]. They love playing there. I'll be with them. I've been told 1,000 times, 'Welcome to Boston.' I haven't really been in Boston yet, so it will be great to get to Boston."
The Red Sox, who opened their season a year ago by losing their first six games, started their season by losing all three games in Detroit, then followed that up by dropping two of three to Toronto, including a 3-1 setback on Wednesday at Rogers Centre.
Jon Lester (0-1) was the hard-luck loser in that one after allowing three runs on three hits and two walks while striking out six in his seventh career complete game. As good as he was though, Toronto's Ricky Romero was even better and at one time retired 17 straight Red Sox batters, while holding them to three hits on the day.
"When he's on, he's on," said Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz. "He wasn't making that many mistakes and he went through every hitter. When things get like that, it's tough to hit."
Hoping for a little run support this afternoon will be righty Josh Beckett, who was hit hard by the Tigers in his season debut. Beckett couldn't get out of the fifth inning in that one, as he allowed seven runs and seven hits in 4 2/3 innings to get the loss.
"That first start's always [iffy]," Beckett said. "You've got a lot of anxiety leading up to that. You want to do well. A lot of times, you expend too much energy on things that don't help you be successful."
He is 9-4 lifetime versus the Rays, though, with a 2.94 ERA in 19 starts.
Opposing Beckett this afternoon will be Tampa left-hander David Price, who struggled with his control on Saturday against the Yankees but still picked up the win. Price surrendered two runs and five hits in 6 1/3 frames, while also walking four batters.
Price has faced the Red Sox 10 times and is 6-3 with a 3.16 ERA.
"I'm looking forward to it," Price said of Friday. "They have a very good team. It's always a very good series when we play them. Fenway's a tough place to play."
Tampa enters today's matchup on a sour note after dropping a 7-2 decision to the red-hot Tigers on Thursday. Carlos Pena hit a solo home run for the Rays, who lost two of three in the series, but are off to a 4-2 start.
Jeff Niemann (0-1) allowed three runs on four hits in five full frames to suffer the loss. He struck out six and walked two.
"I felt pretty good today," Niemann said. "It kind of got away from us in the fifth."
Tampa was 12-6 versus the Red Sox last season, with seven of those wins coming at Fenway.
- TAMPA BAY: 2
BOSTON: 12
Final
Apr 13 5:29 PM - Ben Zobrist one-out, solo Home Run (1) to right. Jeff Keppinger due up.
Rays 2, Red Sox 12 Top 9, 1 OutApr 13 5:26 PM - Cody Ross sacrifice fly out to center scored Kevin Youkilis. Runners on first and second and with one out and Mike Aviles due up.
Rays 1, Red Sox 12 Bot 8, 1 OutApr 13 5:16 PM - David Ortiz doubled to left scored Adrian Gonzalez. On the play, Kevin Youkilis advances to third. Runners on second and third with none out and Darnell McDonald due up.
Rays 1, Red Sox 11 Bot 8, 0 OutsApr 13 5:10 PM - Kevin Youkilis singled to center scored Ryan Sweeney and Dustin Pedroia. On the play, Adrian Gonzalez advances to second. Runners on first and second with none out and David Ortiz due up.
Rays 1, Red Sox 10 Bot 8, 0 OutsApr 13 5:08 PM - Ryan Sweeney singled to left scored Mike Aviles and Kelly Shoppach. Runner on second with none out, as Sweeney takes second on the throw home and Dustin Pedroia due up.
Rays 1, Red Sox 8 Bot 8, 0 OutsApr 13 5:04 PM - Josh Lueke enters the game for the Rays with runners on second and third and none out.
Rays 1, Red Sox 6 Bot 8, 0 OutsApr 13 4:59 PM - Jacoby Ellsbury single to right scored Kelly Shoppach with one out. Runner on first and Dustin Pedroia due up.
Rays 1, Red Sox 4 Bot 4, 1 OutApr 13 3:39 PM - David Ortiz single to third scored Dustin Pedroia with one out. On the play, Adrian Gonzalez advances to second. Runners on first and second and Darnell McDonald due up.
Rays 1, Red Sox 3 Bot 3, 1 OutApr 13 3:15 PM - Kevin Youkilis sacrifice fly to right scored Jacoby Ellsbury with one out. On the play, Dustin Pedroia advances to third. Runners on first and third and David Ortiz due up.
Rays 1, Red Sox 2 Bot 3, 1 OutApr 13 3:13 PM - Adrian Gonzalez single to left scored Kelly Shoppach with none out. On the play, Dustin Pedroia advances to second and Jacoby Ellsbury advances to third. Bases loaded and Kevin Youkilis due up.
Rays 1, Red Sox 1 Bot 3, 0 OutsApr 13 3:11 PM - Jeff Keppinger double to left scored Ben Zobrist with none out. Runner on second and Stephen Vogt due up.
Rays 1, Red Sox 0 Top 2, 0 OutsApr 13 2:34 PM - TAMPA BAY: 0
BOSTON: 0
Top 1, 0 Outs
Apr 13 2:09 PM
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