Game 87: Pedro Ciriaco Leads Sox Past Rays

After a four day layoff for the All-Star Break, baseball games began once again, kicking off the beginning of the stretch run. Unfortunately for the Rays, they fell in a low scoring affair as Franklin Morales out-dueled Jeremy Hellickson in a 3-1 Red Sox victory.

David Ortiz kicked off the scoring with a solo home run, his 23rd of the year, in the top of the first inning, giving the Sox an early 1-0 lead. The Sox extended the lead in the top of the second, when Pedro Ciriaco singled to center, giving the Sox a 3-0 lead. Ciriaco ended the day going 3-3, with three singles and a sacrifice bunt.

The Rays got on the board in the sixth inning, when Sean Rodriguez‘s two out double drove in Ben Zobrist, cutting the lead to 3-1.

Morales lasted five innings, permitting only two hits and three walks while striking out five Rays batters for the win. Hellickson, after a rough start, managed to get through six innings, allowing three earned runs on five hits and four walks, while striking out five.

Game Notes: Ciriaco is now 10-12 with six RBI in his last three games. Hellickson started the year 4-0, but has not picked up a victory since May 16.