Rays Snap Sox Win Streak at 9 With Shutout

 

                                                         Sports Illustrated

Rays 4 Red Sox 0

Winning Pitcher: James Shields (6-4)

Losing Pitcher: Tim Wakefield (3-2)

Recap

The Red Sox offense came in red-hot, scoring 35 runs in their last three games in Toronto, but were shut out by James Shields and the Rays on Tuesday night. The Red Sox probably had their best chance in the top of the first, when Jacoby Ellsbury led the game off with a walk. After Dustin Pedroia's bunt attempt ended as a pop out to the pitcher, Adrian Gonzalez got a base hit that moved Ellsbury to third. David Ortiz drew a walk, and the Sox had the bases loaded with two outs. Carl Crawford, in his first game back at Tropicana after playing his whole career for the Rays, couldn't capitalize, grounding out to third. Tim Wakefield was the starter for the Red Sox, and didn't have many struggles early in the game. He cruised to the fifth inning, when the score was still 0-0. His first mistake came to Justin Ruggiano, who put one in the left field seats to give the Rays a 1-0 edge. Wakefield struggled in the 6th, as well. He led off the inning with an out, then a walk, then allowed Evan Longoria to reach second on a passed ball from Saltalamacchia. Eventually, after another walk and a fielder's choice, the Rays had Longoria at third and BJ Upton on first. Salty let another ball by him, and the Rays had a 2-0 lead. Wake was pulled after the inning, after going 7 innings, allowing 2 runs (1 earned) on 4 hits, 5 walks and 2 strike outs. It wasn't enough, however, as James Shields completely shut down the Boston offense, earning his third complete game shutout of 2011.

Home Runs

Boston: None

Tampa Bay: Justin Ruggiano (3)

The Red Sox and Rays continue their three game series Wednesday night at 7:10 PM ET. Boston will send Josh Beckett (5-2 2.06) to the mound against Tampa's Jeremy Hellickson (7-4 3.03).