BOSTON – A strong first inning was all the Red Sox needed to beat the Rays 5-2 at Fenway Park Saturday.
The Sox scored four runs in the opening frame to put the Rays in the rear view immediately. Andrew Benintendi doubled and was then driven in by a double from Mitch Moreland. Rays starter Tyler Glasnow then walked three straight batters to bring in the second run of the ballgame. A throwing error by Tampa Bay first baseman Jake Bauers brought in two more runs to put the Sox up 4-0.
That was all the support David Price needed. The lefty tossed seven innings, allowed just five hits, and struck out eight Rays hitters. The lone blemish on Price’s line was a two-run homer by C.J. Cron.
Price moved to 13-6 on the year and the Sox have now won 15 out of his last 17 starts.
J.D. Martinez hit his 38th home run of the season, a solo shot in the third.
Glasnow settled in after his rough first inning and allowed only three hits over 6 2/3 innings.
Boston had just four hits in the game. Benintendi singled in the eighth as part of a 2-for-4 night.
Ryan Brasier tossed a scoreless eighth inning out of the Red Sox bullpen. Brasier lowered his ERA to 1.00 and now has struck out 18 batters in 18 innings pitched.
Craig Kimbrel tallied his 37th save with a 1-2-3 ninth.
The Sox and Rays will wrap up their weekend series Sunday at 1:05. Hector Velazquez (7-0, 2.77 ERA) will take the ball in place of Chris Sale, who was placed on the 10-day disabled list Saturday with left shoulder inflammation.