Recap - Lester strong in Red Sox 6-2 win over Rays

Jim Monaghan
Contributing writer

Jon Lester held the Tampa Bay Rays in check for 6.1 innings, and the offense put together enough punch for the Red Sox to come away with a 6-2 win at Fenway Park. With the win, Boston secured its tenuous hold on first place in the American League East.

For Lester (pictured), it was a very solid outing; he allowed two runs on seven hits. Both runs came on solo home runs - Wil Myers leading off the second inning, and Evan Longoria in the top of the sixth. He struck out eight and didn't walk a batter. It was his first win since June 27th.

Matt Thornton and Junichi Tazawa held the Rays scoreless for 1.2 innings in relief of Lester before giving way to Koji Uehara who pitched a 1-2-3 ninth inning for his tenth save of the season.

The Red Sox offense responded to Monday night's two-hit shutout with an even dozen hits including two apiece from David Ortiz, Mike Napoli and Jarrod Saltalamacchia. Jose Iglesias drove in two insurance runs in the bottom of the eighth inning.

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