Game 1: Runs were hard to come by but the Rays got the odd one in five and edged the Red Sox 3-2 at Publix Park. Randy Mastropietro (10-4) had a rare big strikeout game, going 5.2 7 1 1 0 10, giving him still only 80 in 128 IP this year. Jake Cid made a mess in the 8th, giving up an RBI triple with out but Mario Berumen rescued him with a pair of whiffs and handled the 9th as well for save #21. Dave Gonzalez's 2-run single in the 5th was the game's big hit as it broke a 1-1 tie.
Game 2: The Rays were cruising through 3 innings, up 5-0 and with Elijah Whitaker retiring the first 9 Red Sox to face him. But it all went wrong after that as Whitaker allowed 4 in the 4th, the tying run in the 5th, and Boston scored off Danny Sanchez (0-3) in the 7th to take a 6-5 comeback win over Tampa Bay. Whitaker ended up 5.1 8 5 5 0 6 in the no-decision. Paul Mayes had a 2-run double and Dave Gonzalez a 2-run homer (#11) when things were going well early.
Game 3: Tampa Bay took the rubber game in more comfortable fashion, downing the Red Sox 7-2. Jorge Barraza (8-6) tossed another gem, going 6.1 6 2 0 2 4 for the win and he had plenty of support. Aaron White's 2-run homer (#5/13) in the 4th broke a 2-2 tie, Henry Dominguez tripled and homered (#7) and Dave Gonzalez capped a big series by going 3-3 with a walk.
Team record: 82-49. Baltimore also took 2 of 3 so the Rays' division lead remains 7 games, although their magic number dropped to 25.
Gonzalez was recognized by the league:
