Miley outduels Archer for first win as Red Sox edge Rays
ST. PETERSBURG -- An unearned run proved to be the difference Tuesday night as the Red Sox took a 1-0 win at Tropicana Field, handing the Rays their fourth consecutive loss.
"Tough one, obviously, tonight," Rays manager Kevin Cash said. "You don't like to lose one 1-0 on a ball that gets away."
The game proved to be a well-pitched affair pitting Wade Miley of the Red Sox against Chris Archer of the Rays. Neither allowed an earned run in 5 2/3 innings of work.
"As we've expected, he was down in the zone pretty consistently throughout the time on the mound," said Red Sox manager John Farrell. "I think his two-seamer and changeup was good against nine right-handed hitters."
The unearned run the Red Sox scored against Archer came in the third when second baseman Ryan Brett threw wild to first base while trying to complete an inning-ending double play. The errant throw skipped past first baseman Logan Forsythe, allowing Ryan Hanigan to score from second base, thereby minting the only run of the game.
Video: BOS@TB: Betts forces a throwing error, Hanigan scores
"It's huge because it gives us another out to play with," said Red Sox center fielder Mookie Betts. "Especially with this lineup, all we need is maybe one extra out and we can get a lead with maybe one swing of the bat. The things that we have to do all season. This team, with the way we work, I know we'll do it."
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
Ogando rescues Miley: If not for Alexi Ogando, Miley's stat line might not have looked quite as solid. With the bases loaded and two outs, Farrell lifted Miley and entrusted Ogando to get out of the jam. The righty threw a 96-mph heater on a 1-2 pitch, and Desmond Jennings tapped it to short to end the inning. Ogando also got the first two outs of the seventh before giving way to Robbie Ross Jr. More >
Video: BOS@TB: Ogando escapes a bases-loaded jam in the 6th
Dodging the bullet: Archer danced on the edge of the volcano for most of his outing, escaping jams in the second through sixth innings. And he would have escaped in the third had Brett been able to make a successful relay throw to first for an inning-ending double play. Instead, his throw bounced and escaped first baseman Forsythe's glove, allowing a run to score. All told, he allowed no earned runs, seven hits, a walk and he struck out nine in 5 2/3 innings. More >
Video: BOS@TB: Archer strikes out Ortiz to get out of a jam
Mookie takeout sets up run: Though Betts has made plenty of highlight-reel plays in the early part of the season, he can also grind out a run for his team. It was the hard takeout slide Betts made on second baseman Brett in the third that helped set up the only run of the game.
"Talking to some of the guys, the little things we talk about, ways to affect the game in some way, that was my opportunity, nothing dirty, just going in to try and break up a double play," said Betts. More >
QUOTABLE
"No, not really. Still very early. Obviously you'd like to see the guys get their hits, it makes everybody feel better when you're driving runs in. But you're going to run in to runs like tonight. We faced a good pitcher. He really had a good two-seamer running away from all the righties we threw at him. I like the fact we put some pressure on it. We just didn't capitalize on it." -- Cash after being asked if he was concerned about the Rays' offense following the four-hit performance Tuesday night
SOUND SMART WITH YOUR FRIENDS
This was the first time the Red Sox won a 1-0 game with an unearned run since April 21, 2005, against the Orioles.
The Rays lost their challenge Tuesday night, giving the team an 0-8 mark when they've challenged this season.
HOLT LAYS DOWN THE LEATHER
Brock Holt made two spectacular plays at shortstop while starting in place of Xander Bogaerts. In the second, Holt ranged up the middle, swiftly got up from his dive and fired a strike to first to take a hit away from Rene Rivera.
Video: BOS@TB: Holt makes a diving stop, fires for the out
In the seventh, he ranged deep into the hole and made a perfect throw to first to nail pinch-hitter Asdrubal Cabrera. More >
Video: BOS@TB: Holt makes a great diving stop, strong throw
UNDER REVIEW
The Rays challenged the call on the field when Brandon Guyer was ruled out at second base on a fielder's choice in the sixth inning. After two minutes and six seconds, the call on the field stood.
Video: BOS@TB: Out call at second stands in the 6th
WHAT'S NEXT
Red Sox: Right-hander Joe Kelly, who has been Boston's best starter thus far, takes the ball for the second game of this three-game series. First pitch is set for 7:10 p.m. ET on Wednesday.
Rays: Nathan Karns will make his fourth start of the season after taking a no-decision against the Yankees Friday night. In his Rays career, he has allowed six home runs in 29 2/3 innings and all six have come at Tropicana Field. This will be his first start against the Red Sox; they are the only team he has yet to face.
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