Carl Crawford Hitless Against Former Team Tampa Bay Rays in 4-0 Win Over Red Sox

Carl Crawford had a dismal performance in his first trip back to Tampa Bay as a member of the Boston Red Sox. 

Crawford went 0-for-3 against James Shields as the Rays defeated the Red Sox 4-0, snapping Boston’s nine-game winning streak.

Coming into Tuesday night’s game Crawford had hit safely in 10 of his previous 11 games. His performance drops his batting average to .243 for the season.

His career low batting average as a member of the Rays was .254 in his first season.

He was greeted to a mixed fan reaction in his first at-bat in a Red Sox uniform. There were some fans that booed, some that cheered and even some fans that gave him a standing ovation.

Then he was reminded them he is no longer a member of the Tampa Bay Rays.

In his final two at-bats, he was greeted with a chorus of boos from the majority of the 20,972 in attendance. It seemed that fans' boos didn’t stop throughout all 12 pitches in his final at-bat in the seventh inning.

Following the game, Crawford gave his reaction to the reception the fans gave him.

"It was cool," Crawford said. "There were a few cheers and a few boos, I guess there were a lot of mixed emotions out there. I tried to focus on the game. To the people who cheered, I appreciate it."

Prior to the game, Crawford was asked if there was any pitcher on the Rays’ staff in particular that he would like to get a hit on. He responded by saying, “I want to get a hit on all those guys if it’s possible.”

James Shields extinguished that wish in his complete game performance.

"There's not too many nights where he goes 0-for-3," Shields said. "I've said from day one he is one of the best players I have ever seen in baseball. He had a tough little battle against me with the 12 pitch at-bat and I ended up going out on top."

At least Crawford can now put his first trip back to Tropicana Field behind him.

"It was nice to get it out of the way," Crawford said following Tuesday night's game. "I am going to make tomorrow feel as normal as possible. Today, I can't lie; it didn't feel like it was a normal game."

The Rays have now defeated the Red Sox in 10 of their last 13 games dating back to June 30 last year.

In fact, the Rays are 20-8 against Boston in Tropicana Field since 2008.

Jamal Wilburg is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. All quotes were obtained first-hand.