Rays Display Patience And Power Defeat Red Sox 7-2

Scott Kazmir looked very good, and the Rays batters displayed power and patience, as the Tampa Bay Rays won their first game of the 2009 season.

Boston coming off the season opener with a dominating performance from ace Josh Beckett, sent Jon Lester to the mound. Tampa sent out young Scott Kazmir for his first outing of the season.

Both pitchers struggled to get out of the first inning, but were able too, without allowing any runs.

Tampa struck first on a Carl Crawford single to first basemen Kevin Youkilis, when Youkilis made a throwing error to second base allowing Akinori Iwamura to score.

Youkilis redeemed himself in the bottom half of the third, when he singled in Dustin Pedroia, but got caught inbetween the bases and was thrown out to end the inning.

Tampa then broke it open in the top of the fifth inning, Jason Bartlett had a bunt hit which scored Gabe Kapler. Evan Longoria grounded into a double play with the bases loaded, but Akinori Iwamura scored from third.

Then Carlos Pena got his first hit of the season, by sending a two run shot into the center field seats, putting the Rays up 5-1, and sending Jon Lester to the dugout with only 5 innings pitched, eight hits, five earned runs, striking out five, and walking two.

For Lester it had to be a disappointing performance, he was able to get ahead in most counts, but the Rays were able to foul off pitches, and get back into counts.

Scott Kazmir pitched six innings for the Rays allowing just five hits, one earned run, striking out four, and walking three on 111 pitches.

In the top of the 8th inning, Evan Longoria hit a solo shot just over the green monster, and into the bleachers.

Boston made a push for a comeback in the bottom of the 8th as the Red Sox were able to get three hits, and a run off of Tampa Bay reliever J.P. Howell. Howell exited the 8th leaving the bases loaded with two outs.

Tampa called on Grant Balfour to get them out of the jam, and he did. He struck out Jacoby Ellsbury on a 2-2 fastball leaving the bases loaded, and keeping the Rays up by four runs.

In the top of the 9th the Rays added one more insurance run when Carl Crawford hit a ball back to the pitcher, but Lopez could not grab it, and then lost sight of the ball, allowing Iwamura to score.

Grant Balfour came back out to finish the game, and he went 1-2-3 to finish off Boston, and give the Rays their first win of the season.

Tomorrow Tampa and Boston will play the rubber match of the series. The pitchers will be ALCS MVP Matt Garza for Tampa against Dice-K Matsuzaka for the Red Sox.

First pitch is scheduled for 1:35 p.m.