Boston hits 2 HRs, Early strong as Red Sox beat Rays 2-0, snap Tampa's 7-game win streak

TL;DR

The Boston Red Sox defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 2-0, ending Tampa's seven-game winning streak. Wilyer Abreu and Ceddanne Rafaela hit solo home runs, while Connelly Early struck out eight batters in a strong pitching performance.

Key points

Red Sox beat Rays 2-0
Wilyer Abreu and Ceddanne Rafaela hit solo home runs
Connelly Early struck out eight batters
Rays had no base runners after the sixth inning
Game marked Tampa's first shutout of the season

Mentioned in this story

Pedro MartinezDavid OrtizCarl YastrzemskiWade BoggsCarlton FiskJim Rice

Boston Red SoxTampa Bay RaysWilyer AbreuCeddanne Rafaela

BOSTON (AP) — Wilyer Abreu and Ceddanne Rafaela hit solo home runs in back-to-back innings, Connelly Early struck out eight and the Boston Red Sox snapped the Tampa Bay Rays seven-game winning streak with a 2-0 victory on Friday night. Boston had only four hits, but Tampa Bay didn’t have a base runner after the sixth inning and was shut out for the first time this season. After tying his shortest outing of the season last week at Houston when he exited after four innings, Early (3-2) allowed four hits and walked one n seven innings, throwing a career-high 96 pitches. Aroldis Chapman struck out two in a 1-2-3 ninth and remained perfect in eight save chances. Nick Fortes had two oits. Rays starter Jesse Scholtens (3-2) was pulled after 4 2/3 innings, having allowed only the two home runs, while walking four and striking out four. Boston was hitless until the third inning with Abreu connected on Scholtens’ 86 mph slider and drove it into the right field seats above the Rays’ bullpen for his sixth homer this season. An inning later, Rafaela jumped on Scholtens’ first pitch slider and hit a 379-foot line drive that ricocheted off the seats atop the Green Monster for his third home run this season. Boston had been homerless in its previous two games. Red Sox greats Carl Yastrzemski, Wade Boggs, Carlton Fisk, , and Jim Rice were on hand to commemorate the 125th anniversary of the club’s first home game, a 12-4 victory on May 8, 1901.

Q&A

What were the key plays in the Red Sox vs Rays game on Friday?

Wilyer Abreu and Ceddanne Rafaela hit solo home runs, contributing to the Red Sox's 2-0 victory.

How did Connelly Early perform in the game against the Rays?

Connelly Early struck out eight batters and allowed four hits in seven innings, earning his third win of the season.

What is the significance of the Red Sox's win over the Rays?

The win snapped the Rays' seven-game winning streak and marked the first time Tampa was shut out this season.

Boston hits 2 HRs, Early strong as Red Sox beat Rays 2-0, snap Tampa's 7-game win streak

TL;DR

Key points

Q&A

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