Rays 5, Red Sox 3: David Price outdueled Clay Buchholz and B.J. Upton hit a solo home run as host Tampa Bay evened the three-game set at a game apiece.

Jose Lobaton and Elliot Johnson were credited with RBIs during a two-run rally in the seventh and Fernando Rodney picked up his 26th save for the Rays.

Price (12-4) struck out eight and allowed three runs - two earned - on six hits and three walks in 7 1/3 frames. The All-Star threw 120 pitches but was still reaching 97 mph with his fastball in the eighth.

Buchholz, who was hospitalized last month with esophagitis, came off the disabled list and was sharp through 6 1/3 innings - surrendering just three hits while striking out eight. The right-hander issued his only walk and hit a batter in the seventh before being lifted with a 3-2 lead.

Matt Albers was the first one out of the bullpen and issued an intentional walk to load the bases and then walked pinch hitter Lobaton to force in the tying run. A sacrifice fly by Johnson brought in the go-ahead score and gave the Rays a pair of runs in the seventh without the benefit of a hit.

Buchholz (8-3) ended up charged with four runs and was saddled with the loss.

Upton cushioned the lead in the eighth with a deep blast down the left field line, his eighth.

Will Middlebrooks hit a two-run homer for Boston (44-44), which dropped back to .500 and has lost seven of nine.

GAME NOTEBOOK: The top three hitters in the Rays lineup combined to go 0-for-11 with five strikeouts. … Boston 1B Adrian Gonzalez (back spasms) sat out for the second straight day and is doubtful for Sunday’s series finale. … The Red Sox got some good injury news on Saturday, as 2B Dustin Pedroia (thumb) took batting practice and appears to be on track to come off the disabled list next week. LF Carl Crawford went 2-for-5 in a rehab game at Triple-A Pawtucket and is scheduled to make his season debut on Monday.