June 30, 2008
Garza, Rays Take Opener From Sox
Tampa Bay 5, Boston 1
Coco Crisp's return from the bench was welcomed, but Boston could not solve Matt Gaza as the righthander held the Red Sox to just four base runners over seven solid innings in leading the Rays to their five victory in ten games against Boston this season.
Trailing 1-0 in the fourth, Crisp hit a solo home run off Garza to tie the game, but Boston starter Jon Lester could not solve the Rays. In the bottom of the fourth, Tampa Bay scored three runs to take the lead as their cruised to victory.
Dioner Navarro broke the tie with a RBI double to left that scored BJ Upton easily from second without a throw. Reid Brignac followed Navarro with a long single to right center that scored Johny Gomes and Navarro.
The loss snapped Boston's sox game win streak, as they finished the month of June with a 14-13 record. The Red Sox still hold a seven game lead of the New York Yankees.
W: Garza (9-5) L: Lester (9-4)
Player of the Game: Matt Garza (7 IP, 4 Hs, R, BB, 8 K's, 94 PI)
Around the League:
...New York Yankees placed SS Derek Jeter on the 60-day disabled list...Houston C J.R. Towles (.232, 3 HRs, 10 RBIs) was suspended 6 games for arguing balls and strikes...