Boston @ Tampa Bay preview

Last Meeting ( May 15, 2013 ) Boston 9, Tampa Bay 2

The Boston Red Sox finally managed to string together some hits with runners in scoring position and earn a win. They will be looking for a series victory when they visit the Tampa Bay Rays on Thursday in the rubber match of a three-game set. The Red Sox had lost nine of 11 while averaging 3.3 runs before breaking out in Wednesday’s 9-2 triumph. The Rays have built their recent success around starting pitching but may have lost the staff anchor.

Reigning American League Cy Young Award winner David Price left Wednesday’s contest in the third inning with tightness in his left triceps and will be monitored carefully. Price allowed an RBI single to David Ortiz and began shaking his left arm, drawing the trainer and a quick hook from manager Joe Maddon. A lack of clutch hits had doomed Boston through much of its slump but the Red Sox did not let up when Price left on Wednesday. Stephen Drew capped the eight-run rally with his second career grand slam and gave Boston a chance for its first series win since taking two of three at Toronto from April 30-May 2.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, NESN (Boston), SUN Sports (Tampa Bay)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Red Sox LF Felix Doubront (3-1, 6.40 ERA) vs. Rays RH Alex Cobb (4-2, 3.09)

Doubront was bumped from the rotation last week but still ended up throwing over 100 pitches and allowing six runs and 11 hits over 5 1/3 innings in relief of ineffective replacement Allen Webster. Doubront has surrendered a total of 12 runs and 23 hits in nine innings over his last two appearances. The 25-year-old has had some success against the Rays in the past and owns a 2-1 record with a 3.91 ERA in seven games (four starts) against the division rivals.

Cobb has had trouble keeping the ball in the park over his last two outings, in which he has yielded a total of five home runs in 11 1/3 innings. The Boston native struck out 13 against San Diego on Friday but only lasted 4 2/3 innings due to a high pitch count. That made him the first pitcher in history to record that many K’s without making it through the fifth inning. Cobb allowed four runs (three earned) over 6 2/3 innings in a loss at Boston on April 14.

WALK-OFFS

1. Red Sox 2B Dustin Pedroia has multiple hits in six of the last seven games to raise his average from .299 to .340.

2. Tampa Bay 3B Evan Longoria has hit safely in nine straight and has reached base in all but one game this season.

3. Boston RF Shane Victorino was cleared to play after slamming into the wall at Fenway Park on Sunday but has gone 0-for-9 in the first two games since the collision.

PREDICTION: Rays 6, Red Sox 4