G141: Red Sox 3, Rays 1

Rays    - 000 000 100 - 1  6  0
Red Sox - 000 001 02x - 3  9  0

Dustin Pedroia doubled and scored Boston's first run, then hit a two-run opposite field home run to break an eighth-inning tie. Pinch-hitter David Ortiz began the eighth with a double.

Buchholz had his stuff working well, especially the changeup: 7-5-1-3-5-97. Hideki Okajima and Jonathan Papelbon closed it out.

Matt Garza (3.85, 118 ERA+) / Clay Buchholz (3.92, 121 ERA+)

First of two today. The "nightcap" is at 5 PM.

If all goes according to plan, Boston could be only 6 GB the Yankees by 9 PM, having cut three games off New York's lead in three days.

MLB.com:

Buchholz won his fourth consecutive decision last Tuesday, shutting out the Orioles over seven innings of three-hit ball at Fenway Park. The 25-year-old right-hander is 4-2 with a 3.00 ERA in seven outings since Aug. 8, posting six quality starts over that span. He has surrendered three runs or fewer in nine of 11 appearances this season.

There is an obvious difference in innings pitched, but: ERA+s going into this series: Buchholz 121, Beckett 122.

Toss out his crappy August 24 start against the White Sox and Buchholz has a 1.79 ERA (eight runs in 40.1 innings) since August 8.

Big Bats: Victor Martinez has a 13-game hitting streak (.356, 16-for-45), Kevin Youkilis is hitting .500 (24-for-48) against the Rays this season, and Alex Gonzalez has hit safely in 13 of his last 14 games (.333, 17-for-51).

Also: Orioles/Yankees at 1 and the Mariners/Rangers will play two: 1:30 (now moved to 5 PM) and then later.