Price outduels Lester as Rays edge Red Sox

The Rays made their stand in the fifth inning. Kelly Shoppach, Dan Johnson and Elliot Johnson cobbled together consecutive one-out singles to load the bases for Sam Fuld. Monday night's Rays hero hit a dribbler down the first-base line. Adrian Gonzalez fielded the ball and the Red Sox's first baseman elected to try for the out at home. Tampa Bay Rays Jerseys Shoppach slid safely ahead of the throw to score the Rays' first run. BOSTON -- Two of the American League's best left-handers faced off Tuesday night at Fenway Park and the results were predictable: a lot of zeroes. David Price and Jon Lester made knees buckle and bats miss through the their matchup, with Price and the Rays coming away 3-2 winners. Boston scored first when Price hung a curve ball to Darnell McDonald leading off the third. McDonald re-routed the pitch over the Green Monster in left field for a 1-0 Red Sox lead. Johnny Damon then stepped to the plate and shot a single through the middle to drive home both Johnsons, giving the Rays a 3-1 lead.
Dustin Pedroia doubled off Price to lead off the sixth. Gonzalez hit a ball of Price's left hip that ricocheted to second baseman Sean Rodriguez, who threw to first for the out while Pedroia moved to third. The Rays' ace appeared to be out of the jam when he struck out Kevin Youkilis looking. But the next hitter, Jed Lowrie doubled to right to score Pedroia and cut the Rays' lead to 3-2. Lester gave way to Daniel Bard in the eighth after allowing three runs on seven hits, two walks and striking out eight.The Sox threatened again in the eighth. MLB Jerseys After retiring Carl Crawford on a fly ball to left field, Price walked Pedroia. Pitching coach Jim Hickey visited the mound,Louis Vutton Jeans, and Price forced Gonzalez to ground to second base. Elliot Johnson bobbled the ball but recovered in time to retire Gonzalez at first. Price threw a little to far inside to Youkilis, nicking his elbow pad and putting runners on first and second. At that point, Rays manager Joe Maddon turned the ball over to Joel Peralta, who induced a flyout off the bat of Lowrie, ending the frame. Kyle Farnsworth pitched the ninth inning, earning his second save.