It's time to win in Tampa Bay

With 13 games left in the regular season, the Boston Red Sox (88-61) are one game back of the Tampa Bay Rays in the AL East.

Boston did what it had to do over the weekend, taking three of four from what had been a red-hot Toronto Blue Jays (80-70) team.

Jon Lester capped off the series yesterday afternoon with eight solid innings as the Red Sox held off the Blue Jays, 4-3.

In improving to 15-5, Lester lasted eight innings, giving up one run on four hits with two walks and six strikeouts.

Roy Halladay (18-11) didn't go the whole way which is newsworthy. He pitched seven innings, allowing three runs (two earned) on six hits with five strikeouts.

Boston's hottest hitter continued to scorch the ball, Coco Crisp contributed two hits and two RBIs.

Jose Bautista had a solo homer in the first off Lester but the Red Sox scored four straight runs. Ortiz knocked in Jacoby Ellsbury with an RBI groundout in the first while Crisp's RBI singles were in the second and seventh. Kevin Youkilis' sacrifice fly in the eighth pushed across Ortiz with what turned out to be a vital run.

Jonathan Papelbon gave up two runs in the ninth but still managed to record his 38th save of the season. Adam Lind had an RBI single for Toronto and Scott Rolen drove in the other run with a groundout.

The Sox left after the game for Tampa Bay and three games at the Trop. Boston is winless (0-6) in Tampa Bay this season but that will soon be forgotten if they can pick up a win or two the next few days.

Dice-K and Scott Kazmir go tonight.