Red Sox Hand Rays First Shutout Loss Of Season, Rookie Spins A Gem

Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Connelly Early

Red Sox Hand Rays First Shutout Loss Of Season, Rookie Spins A Gem originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Boston Red Sox stayed hot and defended Fenway Park for the first time this home stand, knocking off the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday night by a score of 2-0.

The win was a big one for Boston as they became the first team to hand the Rays a shutout loss this season.

Rookie starting pitcher Connelly Early took the mound and handed in a more than satisfactory start. The 24-year-old put in seven innings of work. He allowed only four hits and struck out eight batters before handing it to the bullpen in the eighth.

Garrett Whitlock was the set-up man. Whitlock fanned two and retired the side in order before surrendering the ball to Aroldis Chapman.

Chapman, like Whitlock, struck out two in the 1-2-3 top of the ninth and secured his eighth save of the season.

Despite Boston's struggles this year, Friday night's victory made them the leader in Major League Baseball as far as shutout wins are concerned. The Rays became the sixth team that Boston has shut out.