I Almost Can't Believe It But The Red Sox Won A Series In Tampa Bay

Even Josh Beckett's killer hangover couldn't derail the Red Sox this afternoon as they picked up a series win in Tampa Bay thanks to a 7-3 victory at Tropicana Field.

Boston (45-44, 23-20 away) won two out of three in its first series of the 2012 second half thanks to some solid pitching that held Tampa Bay (46-43, 25-21 home) to nine total runs. Alfredo Aceves made it interesting by walking the bases loaded in the ninth but he got Hideki Matsui to fly out to the warning track to end it.

You must forgive the Texas Toughguy for allowing three runs in the first inning. After all, he was pounding Bud Heavies with Jon Lester and Clay Buchholz the night before at a swanky Tampa hotel (an oxymoron if I've ever made one up). That has to be the reason he's now given up eight runs in the first during his last two starts (5 against the Yankees).

I will give Beckett (5-7) credit (mark it down, since this will rarely happen) but he quieted the Rays' punchless lineup after that. Beckett went six innings, allowing three earned runs on eight hits with seven strikeouts and two walks.

James Shields (8-6) also allowed three runs in the first for Tampa Bay and he ended up not really recovering. In five innings (113 pitches!), Shields gave up six earned runs on 11 hits with five strikeouts and three walks. For what it's worth, him and Beckett (4.44) have the exact same ERA this season. Wonder if James likes golf?

The Red Sox lineup showed life this weekend thanks to the return of Jacoby Ellsbury (3 hits, run, double) and Will Middlebrooks (3 hits, double, 2 RBIs, run). Mike Aviles (2 hits, 2 RBIs, run), Adrian Gonzalez (2 hits, run, RBI) and David Ortiz (2 hits, walk) also each contributed multiple hits in the slow as molasses win on Sunday (3 hours, 36 minutes). Would you believe that Aviles (46) and Gonzalez have the same amount of RBIs this season? What a nightmare.

Ben Zobrist led the Rays (3 hits, double, run, RBI, walk) while Will Rhymes (2 hits, run), Carlos Pena (2 hits, run) and Elliot Johnson (2 hits, double and walk) all had good days at the plate. Still, Tampa Bay's playoff hopes likely rest on Evan Longoria's tender hamstring. Without his presence, their offense is awful and the starting pitching has been good but far from great.

After missing the first two games with back spasms (picked up while shaking hands with a kid at the mall, haha or so he said), Gonzalez returned with an RBI single in the first inning.

The Rays went ahead 3-1 on Zobrist's infield single that scored a run and Desmond Jennings' two-run single.

Mike Aviles tied it with a two-run homer in the second, his 10th of the season, and Daniel Nava made it 4-3 in the fifth with his fourth homer of the season. Middlebrooks' two-run single later in the frame was the most vital hit of the entire contest.

Boston had the bases loaded with no outs in the sixth but all they could get was a sacrifice fly by Cody Ross. Regardless, the Red Sox were 4-for-12 with runners in scoring position and they left eight on base Sunday; the Rays were 2-for-10 with runners in scoring position and they left 11 on base.

Junichi Tazawa made his first appearance since April (replacing Scott Atchison who went on the DL with tightness in his forearm) but he could only get one out. He was pulled after allowing two hits. Mark Melancon bailed him out by pitching 1.2 scoreless innings that included a strikeout but only took 19 pitches.

Some sweaty bald guy named Kevin Youkilis comes to Fenway Park tomorrow with the White Sox (49-39, 1st place in AL Central). After four with Chicago, Boston hosts Toronto for three more games at Fenway.

Bobby V's six-man rotation will be in full effect tomorrow night (7:10 p.m., NESN) as Aaron Cook (2-2) takes on Dylan Axelrod (1-2). On Tuesday (7:10 p.m., NESN), Jon Lester (5-6) faces Philip Humber (3-4). Wednesday night (7:10, NESN) brings us that Felix Doubront (9-4) vs. Jose Quintana (4-1) matchup that the world has been clamoring for. Thursday night (7:10, NESN) should be the best game as Franklin Morales (2-2) opposes Jake Peavy (7-6).

If your eyes and ears don't bleed too much from the glut of coverage of Youk's return to Boston, after only a few weeks in the Windy City, also keep in mind that Carl Crawford is supposed to make his 2012 Red Sox debut tomorrow as well. Should be a fun night.

UPDATE 7/16: Scrub Brent Lillibridge was designated for assignment to make room for Crawford on the 25-man roster. Crawford and Youk will both hit second in tonight's respective lineups.

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