The Tampa Bay Rays lost to the Red Sox, 5-3, on Thursday night in the second game of a quick split two-game series at Tropicana Field. The Rays edged out the Sox by a run on Wednesday, but Boston came back to get one off the Rays before interleague play gets underway this weekend. A two-run single by Cody Ross in the top of the 8th inning proved to be the difference. Burke Badenhop gave up a lead-off single to Dustin Pedroia and was tanked for J.P Howell, who promptly walked David Ortiz. Joe Maddon's third reliever of the inning, Wade Davis, gave up the two-out, two-run single to Ross.
Starter Matt Moore struck out eight in six innings, but gave up a run in each of the first three innings, including two solo homers by Ross and Marlon Byrd. The offense got two back with a run in the third and fourth, but they could never string together a big rally against Felix Doubront, who was credited with his fourth win of the season.
The Rays now host Atlanta for a weekend interleague series at the Trop. Game 1 on Friday will feature a solid pitching matchup of Tommy Hanson and James Shields.
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