Boston Red Sox vs Tampa Bay Rays Match Player Stats On Aug 08, 2017

The Sports Xchange
Aug 8, 2017

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Chris Sale struck out 13 batters in eight shutout innings to lead the Boston Red Sox to a 2-0 win over the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday night at Tropicana Field.

The Red Sox have won seven straight. The Rays are 1-3 in their past four games and have been shut out three times during that span.

Sale (14-4) gave up two hits and one walk on 112 pitches (80 strikes). He struck out every batter in the Rays' starting lineup at least once. His 229 strikeouts are the best in the major leagues.

Craig Kimbrel struck out all three batters he faced in the ninth inning for his 28th save.

Boston (64-49) got 12 hits. Jackie Bradley Jr. and Rafael Devers drove in the game's two runs.

Rays starter Austin Pruitt (6-3) allowed one run and seven hits in six innings.

In the fourth inning, Dustin Pedroia walked and Andrew Benintendi singled to put runners on first and second with no outs. After Mookie Betts grounded into a fielder's choice for the out at second, Devers grounded to Pruitt, who tried to turn a 1-6-3 double play but made a wide throw to Adeiny Hechavarria, who could only get the force at second, allowing Pedroia to score.

The Red Sox were able to add insurance in the ninth. Rays reliever Ryne Stanek gave up singles to Xander Bogaerts and Mitch Moreland to put runners on first and third with no outs. Stanek recovered to strike out Sandy Leon, but Bradley hit a 2-2 pitch into short center for an RBI and a 2-0 lead.

The Rays (58-56) got base hits from Wilson Ramos and Peter Bourjos but did not get a runner to third base.

Sale breezed through the first five innings, allowing just two Rays batters to reach base -- Trevor Plouffe reached on an error in the fourth inning and catcher Ramos singled in the fifth.

NOTES: The Rays placed RHP Alex Cobb on the 10-day disabled list, retroactive to Sunday, due to turf toe. RHP Blake Snell was recalled and will start Thursday against the Cleveland Indians. ... Red Sox 2B Dustin Pedroia was activated off the 10-day disabled list and batted in the two hole as a designated hitter. Pedroia went 0-for-4 with a walk and a run. ... Rays RHP Matt Andriese (hip) threw live batting practice and is likely to make a minor league rehab start this weekend.