Game 67: Red Sox at Rays – Sox seek to split

The Guru
Contributing Writer


It’s the rubber game of the three-game series tonight at the Trop. The Red Sox seek a split after Jon Lester’s lackluster performance in an 8-3 loss. The Red Sox (40-26) will look to keep the Rays (35-29) in the rearview mirror in the American League East standings.

Alfredo Aceves (2-1, 6.57 ERA), fresh from Pawtucket, will face off against right hander Chris Archer (1-1, 4.91).

In Aceves’ last spot start he went six innings, allowing one run on seven hits in a 9-3 win over the Phillies.

Archer will be making just his seventh career start. Archer earned his first career win against the Red Sox last September, going five innings and giving up three runs.

In the first two games of the series, the Sox and Rays have put up 29 runs. The Rays have hit eight home runs, the Red Sox have hit zero.

First pitch 7:10 EDT. Here’s tonight’s starting nine:

1. Ellsbury CF
2. Nava RF
3. Pedroia 2B
4. Ortiz DH
5. Napoli 1B
6. Carp LF
7. Saltalamacchia C
8. Middlebrooks 3B
9. Drew SS

Pitching: Alfredo Aceves

Ellsbury Stealing: Jacoby Ellsbury collected a stolen base in his fourth straight game last night and has 11 in his last six Boston Red Sox games. He could tie the franchise record tonight by stealing a base in his fifth consecutive game. Ellsbury leads the American League with 27 stolen bases.

Salty Surging: Jarrod Saltalamacchia is now hitting .285 with 15 hits and 13 RBI in his last eight starts.

Making the Case for Nava: Daniel Nava is hitting .300 with eight home runs, is fifth in the AL in OBP (.396), 15th in OPS (869) an tied for 10th in RBIs (42). He’s outplaying guys with names like Braun, Holliday and Crawford. Write Daniel Nava's name in on your All-Star ballot. He deserves to be there.

Let Red Sox Life know your thoughts on tonight’s game below.

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