ST. PETERSBURG (620 WDAE) -- The Tampa Bay Rays pounded Rick Porcello for five runs in the first two innings Tuesday, while Blake Snell set the pace with six shutout frames in a 6-3 win over the Boston Red Sox at Tropicana Field.
Tampa Bay wasted no time getting to Porcello, with Denard Span doubling, followed by a walk to C.J. Cron and an infeld single y Matt Duffy loading the bases. Wilson Ramos then nubbed an offering out in front of the plate, and when catcher Sandy Leon couldn't handle the flip from Porcello for an error, Tampa Bay had it's first lead.
Porcello allowed another run as Brad Miller's sacrifice fly scored Cron to make it 2-0.
The Red Sox starter's night got no better, as Tampa Bay loaded the bases o him again in the second, and Ramos again was the catalyst, as his single scored a pair, and when Eduardo Nunez couldn't handle Mookie Betts' throw back into the infield, a third run would come across for a 5-0 advantage.
That lead would me more than enough for Snell, who tossed three-hit shutout baseball through six innings Thursday, striking out eight to earn his sixth win of the year.
SPAN VISITS 162 LANDING THE HARD WAY: Left fielder Denard Span had quite the adventure in the field Thursday, as on two separate occasions, he leaped over the wall and into 162 Landing trying to go after foul balls.
The first time in the fourth inning, Span got up close and personal with a fan also going after the same ball, with both men hitting the deck. The second occasion came in the ninth as Span went over the wall closer to the foul pole, landing on his back.
"I was just trying to get some nachos," Span joked afterward of his forays into the crowd.
ADAMES SENT BACK TO DURHAM: After the game, infielder Joey Wendle was reinstated from the paternity list, and top prospect Willy Adames was optioned to Triple-A Durham.
Adames went 2 for 12 in his three games with the club, but did hit his first career home run Tuesday off Chris Sale
OPENERS ABOUND FOR WEEKEND: The Rays announced before the game Thursday that all three games against the Baltimore Orioles will be started by relief pitchers. Right-hander Sergio Romo will get the start on both Friday and Sunday, sandwiching fellow righty Ryne Stanek.
FRIDAY'S MATCHUP
Tampa Bay Rays (23-25) vs. Baltimore Orioles (16-34), 7:10 p.m. first pitch, with coverage beginning at 6:00 with The Inside Pitch presented by Crown Eurocars.
Rays starter - RHP Sergio Romo (1-0), 4.34 ERA
Orioles starter - TBD