Carl Crawford homered and Jeff Niemann pitched six solid innings as the Tampa Bay Rays eked out a 3-2 victory over the visiting Boston Red Sox on Tuesday night.

Sean Rodriguez and John Jaso each scored a run and Jason Bartlett added an RBI single as the Rays beat the Red Sox for the second straight night and won for the sixth time in seven games.

Niemann (7-2) started the season 6-0, but snapped a two-game losing streak and won for the first time since June 8. He allowed just an unearned run and four hits while striking out six and walking three.

Closer Rafael Soriano worked out of a jam in the ninth for his 23rd save in 24 chances.

Red Sox rookie left-hander Felix Doubront (1-1) handled himself well in his second major-league start, allowing two runs on five hits in 5 2/3 innings. He walked four and struck out four.

Boston already has 11 players on the disabled list and saw another go down as first baseman Kevin Youkilis left the game in the fourth inning with pain in his right ankle.

Niuman Romero, who replaced Youkilis, went 0-for-4 and stranded six runners as the Rays intentionally walked David Ortiz three times to get to him.