Game 28: Rays at Red Sox - Peavy looks to help Sox take Game 1 of DH
Contributing Writer
A rain-out caused some controversy between the Boston Red Sox and Tampa Bay Rays, although, what else is new in this budding rivalry? The Rays felt they shouldn't be forced to play a day-night double-header and wanted to reschedule the washed out game for later in the season. Team representative Ben Zobrist went as far as getting MLB involved, but in the end the double-header was scheduled.
With that said, the Rays and Red Sox are on tap for a full day of baseball at Fenway Park. Getting the start in Game 1 of the double-dip for Boston is Jake Peavy. Peavy picked up his first win of the season in his last start, firing seven innings of one-run ball against Toronto. He boasts a 2.87 ERA through five starts, having given up just one earned run in three of them. He has a 3-1 record with a 4.91 ERA against Tampa Bay in his career. The last time he faced the Rays, Peavy walked off the mound in Game 4 of the ALDS having set up the Sox in the series clincher.
Here's the Red Sox (13-14) lineup for today's first game (first pitch - 1:05 pm ET):
1) Pedroia, 2B
2) Victorino, RF
3) Ortiz, DH
4) Napoli, 1B
5) Gomes, LF
6) Bogaerts, SS
7) Middlebrooks, 3B
8) Ross, C
9) Bradley Jr., CF
Peavy, P
The Rays (11-16) will start Cesar Ramos this afternoon. Ramos is 1-1 with a 3.38 ERA in three starts and seven total appearances. The lefty began the year in the bullpen and was brought to the rotation due to injuries to Alex Cobb and Matt Moore. Ramos has allowed one run on nine hits in his last two starts (10 IP) against the Yankees and White Sox.
Xander's streak snapped
An 0-for-3 night Tuesday snapped Xander Bogaerts' 10-game hitting streak. He walked in one of his plate appearances, meaning he has an 11-game on-base streak still alive. Bogaerts was left standing in the on-deck circle in the bottom of the eighth inning when Jonny Gomes struck out to end the inning, the final at-bat for the Sox in their win.
Napoli finds a way
Through 25 games played in 2014, Mike Napoli has reached base in all but one. He has a career-high 22-game on-base streak, which began on April 4. Napoli went 1-for-3 with two walks in the series opener against the Rays.
Lefty luck
The Red Sox have faced a left-handed starting pitcher 10 times this season. Ramos will be the 11th. Boston owns a 7-3 record this season against teams who start lefties.
Rough Road for Rays
Tampa Bay is tied with Cleveland for the worst road record so far this season at 4-9. The Rays has combined to score 33 runs in the 13 games away from home and their four wins are by a combined seven runs, including three one-run victories.
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