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Devil Rays look to end losing ways in Boston

Aug 14, 2007 - 1:18 PM Tampa Bay (45-73) at Boston (71-47) 7:05 pm EDT

BOSTON (Ticker) -- The Tampa Bay Devil Rays will look to rebound Tuesday after being shut out by Tim Wakefield and the Boston Red Sox during the opener of a three-game series.

Carl Crawford's leadoff single in the seventh inning broke up Wakefield's no-hit bid on Monday and helped him get back on track. The speedy outfielder had at least two hits in eight straight games before going hitless on Sunday.

However, Crawford has been one of the few bright spots this season for Tampa Bay, which owns the worst record in the majors and also has traditionally struggled on the road vs. Boston.

The Devil Rays are 7-35 at Fenway Park since 2003, giving them the lowest winning percentage of any team at any park in the majors. Tampa Bay has not won a series in Boston since winning two in 1999.

While Tampa Bay continues to struggle in Boston, Scott Kazmir (9-7, 3.58 ERA) has pitched well against the Red Sox in his career. The lefthander is 5-3 with a 2.55 ERA in 13 starts versus the Red Sox.

Kazmir led the Devil Rays to a 5-2 win over the Red Sox in his last start against Boston, allowing six hits over six scoreless innings on July 29.

Boston's Jon Lester (1-0, 6.43) will make his first start at home since being diagnosed with lymphoma during the 2006 season. The lefthander has been terrible since returning to the Red Sox.

After winning his first start of the season against the Cleveland Indians on July 23, Lester has allowed 13 earned runs in his last three starts. The 23-year-old has surrendered 22 hits in 15 innings over that span, striking out 10 while walking five.