The Tampa Bay Rays (15-18) are the Red Sox' biggest rival right now so it was great to see Boston (20-12) take two of three from the Rays with a 4-3 series finale last night at Fenway.
Josh Beckett was good but not great. He went six innings, giving up three runs on six hits with three walks and five strikeouts. More importantly, the Sox found a way to outlast Matt Garza, who has absolutely owned them. Garza went seven innings, allowing three runs on seven hits with two walks and six strikeouts.
Kevin Youkilis sat out his sixth straight game with a back strain. Dustin Pedroia left the game in the fourth after straining his groin.
Despite all the early-season injuries, Boston continues to find ways to get it done.
Down 1-0 after Pat Burrell's RBI single in the first, the Sox tied it on J.D. Drew's fielder's choice.
Boston scored twice in the fourth on Jason Varitek's RBI double and Nick Green's (2 hits) RBI single.
Carl Crawford made it 3-2 Boston in the fifth with an RBI single and Jason Bartlett tied it in the sixth with a sacrifice fly.
Jason Bay continued to play out of his mind as he had the game-winning hit, an RBI double that scored David Ortiz in the eighth.
Hideki Okajima got five outs, Ramon Martinez got the last out in the eighth (and earned the win) before Papelbon worked around a hit and error to strike out Carlos Pena, B.J. Upton and Crawford for his eighth save of the season.
Boston flew to the West Coast last night and opens a three game set with Anaheim tomorrow night.
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