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Red Sox attempt to halt skid against Rays

May 25, 2014 - 2:02 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - Losers of nine straight, the Boston Red Sox look to stop the bleeding and avoid a sweep at the hands of the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on Sunday afternoon.

Brandon Workman will be called upon to put an end to Boston's losing streak, earning the spot start in place of the injured Felix Doubront.

Workman had three appearances in early April before being sent down to Triple- A Pawtucket, where he posted a 5.12 ERA in 38 2/3 innings.

The 25-year-old made a start against Tampa Bay on July 22, 2013 and was the hard-luck loser, allowing two runs across six innings.

The Rays will counter with Jake Odorizzi, who's 2-4 on the year with a 4.98 ERA.

Odorizzi last threw on May 20, and while he struck out eight in just 4 2/3 innings of work, he gave up four hits, five walks and three earned runs in a loss to Oakland.

The 24-year-old faced the Red Sox just once before, yielding just one earned run over 5 2/3 innings in a no-decision at Fenway Park on June 18, 2013.

The teams played a 15-inning marathon session on Saturday before Tampa Bay found itself on the positive end of a 6-5 final.

After James Loney and Brandon Guyer reached base in the 15th on a pair of singles, Desmond Jennings reached on an error by pitcher Andrew Miller, which plated the game-winning run.

The Rays have now recorded three straight walk-off wins, their first three of the season.

"It's rare, but we talked about that, we were due for a couple," Rays manager Joe Maddon said. "It really means a lot when you start learning how to win games late. That really can propel you."

David Price allowed just five hits and two walks while striking out seven over eight innings of work but surrendered five earned runs. Cesar Ramos (2-3) came up big in extras, pitching three scoreless innings before earning the win.

Guyer finished with four hits and two RBI. Logan Forsythe was 3-for-5 with two RBI on his own and Evan Longoria and Jennings had two hits each.

Miller (1-4) was saddled with the loss for the second straight day. Jake Peavy started the game for the Red Sox and allowed eight hits and five earned runs in six innings.

A.J. Pierzynski belted his fourth homer of the year, a three-run shot, as part of a five-run first inning for the Sox. Brock Holt and Xander Bogaerts collected two hits apiece.