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Ortiz, Ross lift Red Sox past Rays

Apr 16, 2012 - 3:39 AM Boston, MA (Sports Network) - David Ortiz went 3-for-4 with two runs scored and an RBI, while Cody Ross added a three-run home run as the Boston Red Sox defeated the Tampa Bay Rays, 6-4, on Sunday.

Boston has won the first three of the four-game set by a combined score of 31-11.

"When you play a Tampa team that is touted to win 100 games, it feels pretty good to come out fighting like we did," Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine said.

Vicente Padilla (1-0) tossed 1 2/3 frames of one-hit ball to earn the win.

Carlos Pena smacked a two-run double for the Rays, who were 3-for-14 with runners in scoring position and left 10 men on base.

Matt Moore (0-1) allowed six runs on eight hits and four walks in 6 1/3 innings for Tampa Bay, which has lost four straight contests and five of six.

The Red Sox, who led 4-0 after four innings before the Rays rallied to tie the score, regained the lead in the home sixth.

Kevin Youkilis worked a one-out walk and Ortiz followed by hammering a double high off the center-field wall to bring home Youkilis for a 5-4 Boston advantage.

Boston added another run in the bottom of the seventh after Mike Aviles launched a solo shot to dead center field.

Alfredo Aceves registered a 1-2-3 ninth for his second save of the season.

Boston struck first in the home second. Youkilis led off with a single and Ortiz followed with a double before Ross brought them both home with a three- run homer to deep left.

Boston tallied another run in the bottom of the fourth to make it 4-0. Ortiz reached with a one-out infield single, and Ross followed with a walk. Kelly Shoppach drilled a double off the Green Monster in left field, bringing home Ortiz. Ross attempted to come home after the throw to third got away from Evan Longoria, but Ross was gunned out at the plate.

The Rays got three runs back in the visitor's fifth. Chris Gimenez and Desmond Jennings had consecutive one-out singles and Pena lined a double into the right-center field gap just out of the reach of a diving Jason Repko, plating both Gimenez and Jennings. Longoria followed with a ground-rule double to score Pena.

Luke Scott tied the contest at four with a solo home to right field in the visitor's sixth.

Game Notes

Red Sox starter Felix Doubront allowed four runs on nine hits and one walk in five-plus innings...Boston was 2-for-5 with runners in scoring position...Ortiz has 16 hits and 10 RBI so far in the young season.