David Ortiz’s three-run homer in the fifth inning broke open a scoreless tie and the Boston Red Sox defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 8-5 at Fenway Park Tuesday night.

The Red Sox moved two games ahead of the Rays for second place in the American League East with the win. The Red Sox trail the New York Yankees by one game in the standings.

John Lackey allowed just one run over seven innings to pick up his ninth win of the season. He surrendered eight hits while striking out three.

Bill Hall added a two-run homer for Boston in the seventh inning and Jason Varitek drove in two runs. Adrian Beltre had four hits and scored twice for the Red Sox.

James Shields took the loss, allowing five runs in five innings.

Willie Aybar belted a two-run homer in the eighth inning for Tampa Bay. B.J. Upton did not start for Tampa Bay but the outfielder did pinch-hit in the eighth inning and tripled.

Upton got into a shouting match with fellow Ray Evan Longoria in Tampa Bay’s last game and the two had to be separated by teammates.

Jonathan Papelbon got the final out for his 18th save.