Blake Snell (6-3) pitched six shutout innings to lift the Tampa Bay Rays to a 6-3 win over the Boston Red Sox at St. Petersburg on Thursday night.
The hard throwing lefty allowed three hits and two walks, while striking out eight. The Rays scored five runs the first two innings off Rick Porcello. They added another run in the fourth inning. Porcello (6-2) only lasted 3.2 innings. He allowed six runs (four earned) on eight hits and two walks, while striking out two.
Sandy Leon and Eduardo Nunez had two hits. Mitch Moreland smashed a solo homer. The Red Sox bullpen continued to pitch well. The pen pitched 4.1 innings of scoreless relief. The lead got down to three when Rafael Devers hit a double that scored Nunez. Alex Colome retired Leon for the final out.
The Red Sox and Braves will play a three game series at Fenway Park this weekend in a battle of division leaders. Eduardo Rodriguez will start the series opener for the Red Sox on Friday night.
