ALCS Game Three: Tampa Bay Rays Strike Early, Take 2-1 Lead Over Boston Red Sox

B.J. Upton was 2-5 with a three-run home run, Carlos Pena went 2-5 with a solo blast and Rocco Baldelli went 1-3 with a three-run homer as the Tampa Bay Rays jumped all over Boston Red Sox starter Jon Lester and cruised to a 9-1 victory behind the arm of Matt Garza to take a 2-1 lead in the ALCS best-of-seven match-up.

The Rays plated their first run in the top of the second on a fielder’s choice ground out off the bat of Dioner Navarro that scored Evan Longoria. Lester ran into more trouble in the top of the third when he gave up a leadoff single to Jason Barlett and Akinori Iwamura followed with a double to put runners at second and third. B.J. Upton then hit a bomb over the Green Monster in left and Tampa was in front 4-0. After Carlos Pena struck out Longoria hit a solo blast and Boston was in a 5-0 hole.

Garza continued to set the Red Sox hitters down until the bottom of the seventh when he walked Jason Varitek to start the inning and then gave up a single to Alex Cora to put runners at the corners. J.P. Howell came on in relief and after giving up a sacrifice fly to Jacoby Ellsbury he got Dustin Pedroia to hit into an inning-ending double play.

Tampa struck back quickly as Carl Crawford singled off Paul Byrd in the top of the eighth and Willy Aybar followed with a single to put runners at first and second. Navarro then grounded into a fielder’s choice hat caught Crawford at the plate but Rocco Baldelli then put the nail in the coffin with a three-run blast to make it 8-1.

Pena would hit a solo shot in the ninth to cap the scoring and put the Red Sox in a 2-1 hole in the best-of seven series. Game Four will be played Tuesday with Tim Wakefield getting the ball for Boston while the Rays counter with Andy Sonnanstine. First pitch is scheduled for 8:07 p.m. ET.

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