Tampa Bay Rays shut-out Boston Red Sox 7-0

The Game: The Tampa Bay Rays rocked their AL East foe the Boston Red Sox 7-0 on Tuesday night at Charlotte Sports Park. Wade Davis and Andy Sonnanstine were perfect, combining to shut out the Sox while battling for the fifth spot in the starting rotation.

The Rays broke the tie ball game in the home half of the fourth inning. Ben Zobrist doubled to right with two outs to get things going. Pat Burrell then drew a walk followed by a single by BJ Upton to load the bases. Dioner Navarro picked up an RBI the hard way by being hit by a pitch to score Zobrist. The next batter, Gabe Kapler drove home two runs with a single to give the Rays a 3-0 lead.

The Rays struck again in the seventh inning. Hank Blalock double to left field and then later scored on an RBI single by Willy Aybar to increase the lead to 4-0.

Then Tampa Bay posted a three run eighth inning to put the nail in the coffin. Elliot Johnson double to right followed by a single by Fernando Perez to put runners on the corners. Then Johnson scored on a double steal, with Johnson swiping home and Perez going to second and then to third on an interference call. Sean Rodriguez cleared the bases with a two run home run, his fifth of the spring, giving the Rays the 7-0 win.

Wade Davis went four shut-out innings allowing 3 hits and striking out 5 with a walk in the winning effort. Dan Wheeler picked up his third hold of the spring throwing a no-hit inning with 2 strikeouts and a walk. Andy Sonnanstine pitched the final four innings, allowing no runs on 1 hit with 3 strikeouts and recording the save.

RP Top Prospect Watch:
Reid Brignac: 0 for 2 with a strikeout.
John Jaso: 0 for 1.

A Look Ahead: The Rays (10-3) will take on the Minnesota Twins (5-7) on Wednesday afternoon at Charlotte Sports Park. James Shield will get the start with Rafael Soriano expected to make his first appearance of the spring.