Velazquez Shelled Red Sox Drop Game to Rays 10-3

Hector Velazquez was shelled Friday night in Florida, as the Red Sox dropped the opening game to Tampa Bay 10-3 in St. Petersburg. Velazquez never made it out of the 3rd inning, as the Rays scored 3 runs in the 2nd inning and 5 in the 3rd inning.

Velazquez ended up allowing 8 runs on 9 hits while striking out 4 and walking 2. Drew Pomeranz on in long relief gave up 2 runs in 4.1 innings allowing 1 hit and striking out and walking 2 batters.

The Red Sox had 13 hits but left 11 runners on base. JD Martinez was 3-5 with a run batted in and Xander Bogaerts was 3-5 with 2 runs batted in. Steve Pearce and Ian Kinsler were each 2-4.

Meanwhile the New York Yankees beat the Baltimore Orioles 7-5 in 10 innings and now trail the 1st place Red Sox by 8.5 games.

The Red Sox and Rays play game 2 of the 3 game series on Saturday night. Rick Porcello will take the mound for Boston with the pregame starting at 5:25 and a special 6:10 start time on AM 1370 WDEA.