Sale puts Rays in daze
Mookie’s 16th HR lifts lefty
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — One of the shortest paths on the Red Sox’ blueprint for victories is a deep start, power from the lineup and a shutdown effort from the bullpen.
Last night, that’s almost exactly how it played out in the 4-2 win over the Rays in the first game of this threegame road trip.
Chris Sale came one out away from finishing the eighth inning in one of his finest starts of the season, a nine-strikeout showing in which he allowed only four hits.
Home runs from Mookie Betts (three-run shot) and Rafael Devers (solo) provided all the power the Sox needed.
Joe Kelly struck out the only batter he faced in the eighth inning, and in the ninth closer Craig Kimbrel did his job for save No.14 — even if he did load the bases and require 32 pitches for three outs.
The Betts home run, which came in the third inning for the first runs of the ballgame, set the initial tone.
“He’s the best player in the league, I don’t think there’s any arguing that,” said Sale of Betts, who took the major league lead in home runs with No. 16. “Seems like he’s hitting a homer every other day.
“Between him and J.D. (Martinez), we’re having a lot of celebrating in the dugout. So, yeah, you’re in awe of him, the way he handles himself, the player he is, the work he puts in. He’s not just showing up and going out there and doing that. I think the hard work and dedication is also something to show some respect to.”
Betts was glad to chip in and give Sale room to work.
“It was good. I forget what happened throughout the inning. Jackie (Bradley Jr.) got a hit there and then first and second, just trying to put a good swing on it, went over the wall,” said Betts, whose shot came against Rays starter Jake Faria. “Once we get the lead with that guy, we’re in pretty good shape.”
Sale was lifted with two outs in the eighth inning, after his 112th pitch. He surrendered two walks and two runs, but only one earned. It was the fifth time this season he allowed only one run, and the 11th time in 11 starts he allowed three or fewer runs.
The last Sox hurler to allow three runs or fewer for a longer stint was Pedro Martinez — who did it three times: in 1999 (12), 2000 (13) and 2001 (12).
“Felt loose. Obviously having an extra day, was able to get some work in — an extra day of work and also an extra day of rest,” said Sale. “Mixing some things up. (Catcher) Sandy (Leon) was nails back there again today, mixing them — in and out, up and down. I felt good the whole time through.”
Devers’ blast gave the Sox 70 homers on the season. With two games to go, the Red Sox have a good shot at breaking the franchise record of most home runs in the first 50 games of a season (70 in 1969).
In the fourth inning, the Rays got on the scoreboard when highly touted prospect Wily Adames, in only his second major league atbat, hit a one-out solo shot off Sale.
“A changeup I was trying to get in for a strike,” said Sale. “Threw kind of a cut changeup up there, got on the side of it a little bit, and now I’m on his highlight reel.”
In the bottom of the fifth, Rob Refsnyder led off with a double, advanced to third on a passed ball and then scored on Daniel Robertson’s sacrifice fly to left to narrow the deficit to 3-2.
With one out in the sixth, Devers hit a solo shot to right field to push the lead back to two. He seemed surprised the ball went over the fence.
The Rays came close to handing Kimbrel a blown save in the ninth. Jesus Sucre led off with a single. Kimbrel got Adames swinging and Denard Span to foul out to catcher Sandy Leon, but then pinch-hitter Brad Miller ripped a double to right to put runners on second and third.
Kimbrel walked Refsnyder on five pitches, but got Mallex Smith to ground into a force out to end it.
Entering the game, Sale was tops among all hurlers in WHIP (0.76) and opponent’s average (.145) with at least 50 innings pitched at Tropicana Field. His 13.46 strikeoutsper-innings pitched ratio against Tampa Bay was the highest career mark versus a single opponent in the last 100 seasons (at least 100 innings pitched).