Red Sox Take 3 of 4 From Rays Win Sunday 2-1

The Boston Red Sox beat the Tampa Bay Rays 2-1 on Sunday April 1st to start the season 3-1, Hector Velzquez pitched 5.2 innings picking up the win for the Red Sox allowing 5 hits (1 homer) and striking out 5 while walking just 1.

Joe Kelly picked up the save, pitching the 9th inning, but it wasn't without a few nervous moments. After blowing the save on Opening Day, manager Alex Cora brought Kelly in to pitch the 9th. With runners on 1st and 3rd, Kelly was facing Denard Span who tripled driving in 3 runs on Thursday. Sunday afternoon, Kelly got Span swinging for the 3rd out and the save, his 1st career save.

Mookie Betts was 2-3 with a stolen base and was hit by a pitch twice. Rafael Devers and JD Martinez each drove in a run, it was Martinez's first as a Red Sox.

Blake Swihart started at Designated Hitter going 1-3. With Swihart's start, every Red Sox position player has appeared in a game, in just the 1st 4 games.

The Red Sox, now travel to Miami to play the Marlins in a 2 game series. Brian Johnson is scheduled to pitch for the Red Sox Monday night, with the pregame starting at 6:25PM and the 1st pitch at 7:10 on AM 1370 WDEA.