Tampa Bay Rays fail to stop Boston Red Sox offense in 9-4 loss

Rick Porcello became the majors’ first 18-game winner and the first Red Sox pitcher in 70 years to open a season 13-0 in Fenway Park, going seven solid innings in Boston’s 9-4 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays on Monday night.

Mookie Betts hit his 30th homer, a solo shot, and drove in two runs for the Red Sox, who hold the American League’s first wild-card spot but had lost four of five.

Brock Holt had three hits and drove in two runs, Travis Shaw had three hits and Chris Young added a tiebreaking two-run double for Boston.

The Rays, buried in last in the AL East, have lost three of four.

Porcello (18-3) allowed three runs and six hits, striking out seven without issuing a walk to become the first Boston pitcher since Dave “Boo” Ferriss finished 13-0 at home in 1946 to start a season by winning his initial 13 decisions in Fenway.

Red Sox 2B Dustin Pedroia missed the game after a death in the family, but he’s expected back Tuesday.

Matt Andriese (6-6) took the loss, giving up a season-high seven runs in four-plus innings. Evan Longoria had two sacrifice flies for the Rays, who split a four-game series against the Red Sox at home last week.

The game was tied 2-2 after three innings before Boston took charge with three runs in the fourth and two in the fifth.

Young lined his two-run double past third baseman Longoria, moving the Red Sox ahead 4-2. Longoria seemed to mistime the speed of the liner, raising his glove a bit late.

Holt added an RBI double.

After the Rays cut it to 5-3, Betts lined a run-scoring double into the left-field corner. He scored on Shaw’s infield hit.

Manager Kevin Cash has decided to go with six starters when RHP Alex Cobb returns to the rotation this weekend against Toronto after being sidelined since Tommy John surgery in May 2015.

“We have six guys, all with the reason to be starters,” Cash said.

Jake Odorizzi (9-5, 3.53 ERA) is set to start Tuesday for the Rays.

The right-hander pitched seven innings at home against the Red Sox last Thursday, his longest outing in a month.

This story was originally published August 29, 2016 at 11:46 PM with the headline "Tampa Bay Rays fail to stop Boston Red Sox offense in 9-4 loss."