Top 7th: Rays 9, Red Sox 5
If it wasn't for Wheeler allowing a couple of runs in the bottom of the sixth, the Sox would be right smack in this. Marco Scutaro stroked a two-run homer with Yamaico Navarro aboard to pull this one within four.
Bottom 6th: Rays 9, Red Sox 3
Casey Kotchman drilled a two-run homer with B.J., Upton aboard against Dan Wheeler.
Top 6th: Rays 7, Red Sox 3
Dustin Pedroia stroked his 12th homer to left field on a 3-1 pitch by David Price. The Sox are hoping Alfredo Aceves continue to hold things close while the Sox chip away. Price left the inning with 120 pitches.
Top 4th: Rays 7, Red Sox 2
Kevin Youkilis reached on an infield hit to lead off the inning, but didn't advance. Darnell McDonald pieced together a 12-pitch at-bat including seven straight foul balls bnut popped out. Price's pitch count is up to 84 after four innings.
From The Maniacal One, Chuck Waseleski: The last Red Sox starting pitcher to walk at least five batters without a strikeout was Julian Tavares who on Sept. 26, 2006, walked five. The last Sox pitcher with more than five walks and no strikeouts was Matt Clement, who walked six on June 14, 2006
Bottom 3rd: Rays 7, Red Sox 2
After Miller walked Damon to load the bases with his 85th pitch in 2-2/3 innings, Terry Francona had seen enough. Miller was awful tonight with five walks and looked much like the guy who couldn't make it in Florida and Detroit because of control issues.
With one out, Kotchman singled and moved to second on Shoppach's walk. After Johnson lined out to center, Fuld singled to right. McDonald fielded the single and threw toward the plate. Dustin Pedroia cut off the throw and threw to the plate, but too late to nail Kotchman.
Alfredo Aceves came into relieve following the Damon walk, inheriting the bases loaded and two outs. Aceves walked Zobrist to force in the second run of the inning. He finally got out of it when Longoria grounded out to second base.
Top 3rd: Rays 5, Red Sox 2
Jacoby Ellsbury stroked his 12th homer on a 3-2 pitch off Price, a well-hit ball into the rightfield bleachers.
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