Red Sox Take First Game of Double-Header Behind Gem By Lester (74-46)

Today, the Red Sox played a good game against the Rays, winning 3-1 in a pitcher's duel. After Desmond Jennings doubled to lead off the game for the Rays, he stole 3rd. So with Jennings at 3rd and 1 out, Evan Longoria hit a sharp ground ball to third base. Youkilis made a nice play on the ball, but Jennings rushed home for the 1st run of the game. James Shields had been very sharp through the first 2 innings, but he was a bit shaky in the 3rd and the Sox capitalized. Josh Reddick singled to right field to lead off the inning and after Jed Lowrie struck out, Mike Aviles singled up the middle. With runners at 1st and 2nd with just 1 out, Jacoby Ellsbury lifted a fly ball to right field just just got over the fence for a 3-run homer to make it 3-1 Sox, and that was all we would need behind a sharp Jon Lester.

Jon Lester was very good, allowing just 1 run on 3 hits in 7 innings, along with striking out 8 batters. He is now 12-6/3.22/143, as he is having just another great year. He was relieved by Daniel Bard with a scoreless inning and Jonathan Papelbon with a scoreless inning, as they are also each having fantastic seasons; Papelbon got his 28th save in 29 chances today. Jacoby Ellsbury did the only thing that mattered today in a Boston lineup which only got 3 hits. After that 3-run homer, Ellsbury (left) now sits at .313/21/77 on the season. Tonight, Erik Bedard (4-7/3.55/98) and Jeff Niemann (7-4/3.43/68) will go against one another.

Bright Spots:

Jon Lester- 1 run in 7 strong innings plus 8 strikeouts

Daniel Bard- 2 strikeouts in a scoreless inning

Jonathan Papelbon- his 28th save in a scoreless inning

Jacoby Ellsbury- 1-4 with a big 3-run homer

Josh Reddick- 1-3 with a run scored

Mike Aviles- 1-3 with a run scored

Dull Spots:

Everybody else who played in the game- 0-17 with 4 strikeouts

Well, this was a pretty bad game for the Sox, but hey! We won!