Red Sox Blast Four Homers, but Rays Win (Somewhat) Easily

The Rays take the first game of this three game set against Boston 9-6. The Red Sox look a little different this time with no Carl Crawford for Rays fans to cheer/jeer.

Some thoughts:

• Offensively, the Rays played a perfect opening game. Not only did they score nine runs, but they got rid of the starter early and got deep into the Boston bullpen. Unfortunately, none of the top relievers got into the game.
• Lefty Andrew Miller started for the Red Sox. He gave up seven runs in just under three innings and the Rays forced him to throw 85 pitches. Was it the pitch count or ineffectiveness that forced him to hit the showers early?
• Ben Zobrist provided most of the offense with the Rays’ first grand slam of the year in the second. From there it looked like the Rays would roll to an easy win.
• It was not an easy night for David Price, who labored through six innings. Perhaps he was worried about a friend of his who had brain surgery today. He gave up three solo homers and threw over 120 pitches. He was good enough, although he has thrown much better games at home without getting a win.
• Old friend Dan Wheeler threw an inning today and while it looked like mop-up duty at the time, it was a crucial inning. Casey Kotchman took him deep off the right field foul pole for a two run homer that gave the Rays a 9-3 lead. It proved once again that Wheeler should not be facing lefties.
• All those pitches added up to a very long game for Tropicana Field standards. The last time the Red Sox were in town, Tropicana won out as all three games were close, low-scoring games. Tonight’s 15 run affair went over three and a half hours. Well, the Rays played the Red Sox style of baseball and beat them.
• With the win, the Rays are over the .500 mark for the first time at home.

Player of the Game: Ben Zobrist.