The Boston Red Sox entered Monday night with a chance to get back to .500 on the season in a game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field, and they did just that with a 5-0 victory.
Boston's pitching staff continued to look dominant during the series opener.
Tanner Houck took the mound to start the game, and he went seven scoreless innings, giving up just two hits and a walk while striking out five. He lowered his ERA to 1.94 on the year.
Justin Slaten, who has struggled this month, came in to relieve the starter, and he allowed just one hit while striking out three over the final two frames.
The Red Sox bats weren't exceptional, but they did enough to give their arms some insurance.
Third baseman Rafael Devers (1-for-4) drove in two runs on his franchise-record sixth home run in as many games. Ceddanne Rafaela (1-for-3) also hit a two-run home run in the next inning. Wilyer Abreu (1-for-4) drove in the other run for Boston's offense.
The Red Sox are now just a half-game behind the Rays in the AL East with two games remaining in this series.
