Carl Crawford had three hits and John Jaso added a two-run single as the Tampa Bay Rays rallied for a 6-5 victory over the visiting Boston Red Sox on Monday night.
Jason Bartlett delivered the go-ahead run with a sacrifice fly in the seventh inning for the Rays, who rallied from a 5-1 deficit in the opener of a three-game series.
The victory vaulted Tampa Bay over the Red Sox and into second place in the American League East.
After an uncharacteristically shaky start by Matt Garza, who lasted just three innings, the Rays got six innings of one-run ball by six relievers.
Andy Sonnanstine (2-0) went two innings for the victory, allowing one hit – a solo homer by Eric Patterson, who was 3-for-5 with a pair of RBIs.
Closer Rafael Soriano worked around a two-out walk in the ninth for his 22nd save in 23 chances.
Sean Rodriguez went 2-for-4 for Tampa Bay to extend his hitting streak to seven games, including six multi-hit contests.
Red Sox starter Daisuke Matsuzaka was knocked out in the sixth inning after surrendering Jaso’s tying two-run single. He allowed five runs on eight hits.
Ramon Ramirez (0-2), the third Boston pitcher, took the loss.
Boston | Tampa Bay | |
Daisuke Matsuzaka | Player | Matt Garza |
No Decision | W/L | No Decision |
5.0 | IP | 3.0 |
4 | Strikeouts | 1 |
8 | Hits | 7 |
7.20 | ERA | 12.00 |
Boston | Tampa Bay | |
Eric Patterson | Player | Carl Crawford |
3 | Hits | 3 |
2 | RBI | 1 |
2 | HR | 0 |
10 | TB | 4 |
.600 | Avg | .600 |