Game 29: Rays at Red Sox - Boston goes for twinbill split, series win
Contributing Writer
A run walked in and another controversial replay went against the Boston Red Sox in a 2-1 defeat at the hands of the Tampa Bay Rays in the first game of a double-header today. Tonight's rubber game will conclude the three-game series, but the loss this afternoon assures Boston of staying under .500 for another day.
On the mound for the Sox is Mr. Inconsistent Felix Doubront. He's 1-3 with a 6.00 ERA and hasn't won a game since his first start (April 3). Doubront lasted just 2 2/3 innings against the Yankees in a 14-5 loss. he allowed seven runs (three earned) on six hits in the short outing. In the start prior, he gave up just two runs on five hits with seven strikeouts in 6 2/3 innings in a no-decision against Baltimore. The Sox hope the on-again, off-again streaky Doubront is on again tonight.
Here is the Red Sox (13-15) lineup for the double-header and series finale (first pitch - 7:10 pm ET):
1) Pedroia, 2B
2) Victorino, RF
3) Ortiz, DH
4) Napoli, 1B
5) Sizemore, LF
6) Bogaerts, SS
7) Pierzynski, C
8) Middlebrooks, 3B
9) Bradley Jr., CF
Doubront, P
Chris Archer counters for the Rays (12-16). Archer is 2-1 with a 4.11 ERA in five starts. He was tagged for four runs on nine hits in six innings against the White Sox in his most recent start. In three career starts against the Red Sox, Archer is 1-2 with a 5.27 ERA. He's struck out 18 and walked 13 in 13 2/3 innings. Archer has one career start at Fenway Park - a loss in which he didn't reach the fifth inning.
Britton the 26th man
In double-headers, MLB allows teams to have a 26-man roster for the second game. Left-handed reliever Drake Britton got the call and will be available for the Red Sox tonight.
RISP woes continue
Boston entered with a .225 average (54-for-240) with runners in scoring position, ranking 23rd among 30 MLB teams. The Sox went 1-for-8 in the first game of the double-header, dropping the average to .222.
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