Although the Tampa Bay Rays were the first to strike, the Boston Red Sox made sure the 100th home opener in Fenway Park history would be a win. The Sox used a huge 8th inning to dismantle the Rays, 12-2.
After a Jeff Keppinger double scored Ben Zobrist in the top of the second inning, the Red Sox took over, scoring four runs off of David Price in three innings, and then pulling away for good late.
Joel Peralta was shelled, giving up four runs on two hits and two walks and was pulled without even recording an out. Josh Lueke was also pummeled in the 8th, giving up another four runs on six hits before finally recording an out. He would finish the inning.
Zobrist would add his first home run of the year in the top of the 9th inning, but it would not nearly be enough. He was the only Ray who had more than one hit on the day, as Josh Beckett shut down Tampa for eight innings.
The two teams return to action Saturday, with first pitch at 4:05 p.m. EST.
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