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Kazmir returns when Rays visit Red Sox

May 4, 2008 - 2:21 PM Tampa Bay (16-14) at Boston (19-13), 1:35 pm EDT

BOSTON (Ticker) -- The Tampa Bay Rays welcome back ace Scott Kazmir when they visit the Boston Red Sox on Sunday.

The Rays recently completed the best month of April in club history, reached four games over .500 for just the third time in club history and currently rank fourth in the American League in team ERA - all without the services of Kazmir.

Kazmir was placed on the disabled list on March 21 due to a left shoulder strain. He made three rehab starts in the minors, going 0-1 with a 3.55 ERA for Class A Vero Beach and Class AAA Durham.

The 24-year-old Kazmir led the AL with 239 strikeouts last season while posting a 13-9 record and a 3.48 ERA in a career-high 206 2/3 innings.

The southpaw has dominated the Red Sox in his career, going 6-5 with a 2.23 ERA in 17 starts against the AL East rivals. Kazmir has limited Boston to a .213 batting average while striking out 118 in 101 1/3 frames.

Kazmir may need to be at his best to shut down the Red Sox, who have piled up 19 runs while taking the first two games of the series. In Boston's eight previous games, it managed a total of just 17 runs.

David Ortiz and Dustin Pedroia each had three hits Saturday and Jason Varitek drove in three runs in Boston's 12-4 win.

Jon Lester (1-2, 4.31 ERA) will get the start for the Red Sox in Sunday's series finale.

The 24-year-old lefthander did not factor in the decision in Tuesday's 1-0 win over the Blue Jays, but still turned in his best start of the season when he allowed just one hit in eight innings.