Ramos, Rays ruin Sale’s record-setting showcase
Lefty allows two Tampa Bay homers
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — For a change, the story with Chris Sale on Thursday night wasn’t all the bats he missed, but the ones he didn’t.
Wilson Ramos homered and drove in three against Sale despite the All-star’s record-setting performance, rookie Jake Faria remained unbeaten and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Boston Red Sox 4-1.
Ramos homered on a firstpitch fastball for two runs in the sixth inning, the second homer allowed by Sale in the game.
“I was trying to get ahead,” Sale said. “He had other plans.”
Sale (11-4) struck out 12 while giving up four runs and seven hits in seven innings. He became the first Red Sox pitcher to strike out 10 or more in 12 games before the All-star break, surpassing the 11 games of Pedro Martinez in 1999.
“The one thing with Chris — you look at the walk totals (22 walks in 18 starts), he’s going to be around the plate,” Boston manager John Farrell said. “If guys are aggressive against him, they may end up getting a pitch that’s on the plate because he attacks everyone.”
Faria (4-0) gave up a run and four hits while walking four in six innings. The rookie righthander has pitched at least six innings in each of his six starts.
Alex Colome pitched the ninth for his 23rd save.
Ramos’ homer capped the scoring.
“It sucked the energy out of us, and that’s on me,” Sale said. “It’s easier to fight when you’re down one than when you’re down three, so I put our guys in a bad spot.”
Peter Bourjos had homered earlier to put the Rays up 2-1.
Ramos has three homers in seven games since returning from a torn ACL, and nine RBIS in his past five games.
“I feel a lot better at the plate,” he said. “I’m happy because I’m getting my timing back with my swing.”
Boston shortstop Xander Bogaerts left in the first inning with a right hand contusion after getting hit by Faria’s pitch. X-rays were negative.