Red Sox Beat Tampa Bay Rays 7-3 Friday Night [VIDEO]

The Boston Red Sox beat the Tampa Bay Rays Friday night, August 17th, 7-3 and maintained their 10.5 game lead over the 2nd place New York Yankees. The Red Sox have won 6 of their last 7 games, 12 of their last 14, 16 of their last 19, and 31 of their last 38

Brian Johnson picked up the win, despite allowing 3 runs in the 1st inning. After that he held the Rays scoreless pitching 5.2 innings, allowing 5 hits and striking out 2 and walking 2. 4 Red Sox relievers, Heath Hembree, Ryan Brasier, Matt Barnes and Tyler Thornburg only allowed 2 hits in 3.1 innings, striking out 5 and not walking a batter.

Jackie Bradley Jr. had another highlight reel catch in center.  He also was 2-4 with a double and RBI in the 2nd inning.

Xander Bogaerts was 3-4 with 2 doubles and a triple. He drove in 2 runs and now ranks 2nd behind JD Martinez for the club lead in RBI's with 74. Martinez drove in another run, going 1-3 and now has a career high and major league leading 105 RBI's.

Mookie Betts was 1-5 with a double, scoring his 100th run of the season. He now has scored 100 runs for the 3rd consecutive season, and only Betts and Ted Williams have scored 100 runs for the Red Sox in 3 consecutive seasons before the age of 26

The Red Sox and Rays will play the 2nd game of the 3 game series Saturday night with David Price, (12-6) scheduled to pitch for the Red Sox. The pregame starts at 6:25 and 1st pitch on 7:10 on AM 1370 WDEA.