Red Sox Hang On to Beat Tampa 6-5 [VIDEO]

The Boston Red Sox hung on to beat the Tampa Bay Rays Friday night, July 8th 6-5 and have now won 4 out of their last 5 games and improved to 5-2 on their homestand. After the game the Red Sox made a trade, acquiring right handed reliever Brad Ziegler from Arizona in exchange for 2 minor league players.

Aaron Hill started at 3rd base for the Red Sox, a day after being acquired from Milwaukee and went 2-4 with 2 RBI's.

Bryce Brentz went 2-2 with a RBI and had his 1st game winning run. He went into left field field after Brock Holt left the game with a sprained ankle after sliding into 2nd base with a stolen base. X-rays were negative but he will be re-evaluated on Saturday.

Mookie Betts was 1-3 with 2 stolen bases and had a fantastic catch (see-above). With 15 stolen bases he is the 2nd Red Sox to have as many as 15 stolen bases and 15 homers by the All-Star break, tied with Carl Yastrzemski.

Sean O'Sullivan went 5 innings allowing 7 hits, 4 earned runs and struck out 4 while walking 1. He didn't figure in the decision, as Robbie Ross picked up his 1st win as a Red Sox,  pitching 1.1 innings, allowing 1 hit and striking out 2.

Koji Uehara picked up his 3rd save of the season, as Craig Kimbrel was unavailable. Saturday morning it was announced that Kimbrel will have surgery Monday to repair cartilage in his left knee and will be out 3-6 weeks.

Manager John Farrell on the win and the injuries

The Red Sox play the Rays Saturday afternoon with the pregame starting at 3:20 on AM 1370 WDEA.  The Red Sox are 47-38 2 games out of 1st place and in 3rd place entering Saturday's game.