Bogaerts, Porcello Push Red Sox Past Rays

Xander Bogaerts continued his hot streak and Rick Porcello allowed just one run over 5.1 innings Saturday night as the Red Sox beat the Rays for the second consecutive game.

Bogaerts led off the scoring for the Red Sox with a solo home run to left center field in the second inning. He added another RBI in the sixth inning on a double to left field that brought home JD Martinez. The red-hot Bogaerts went 3-for-4 at the plate and is now 8-for-12 with 4 runs and 2 RBIs over the Red Sox first three games of the season.

We can hit homers over the fence too. 😏 pic.twitter.com/QoJu8b4B9C

— Red Sox (@RedSox) March 31, 2018

Hanley Ramirez scored Boston's only other run on a throwing error by Rays third baseman Matt Duffy in the fourth inning.

Porcello allowed 6 hits, struck out four batters and walked one. Heath Hembree came on in relief in the sixth inning after Porcello gave up a double to Carlos Gomez and a single to Duffy. Gomez then scored on a Joey Wendle sacrifice fly to left field.

The Rays added a second run on a Gomez homer off Bobby Poyner in the eighth inning.

Craig Kimbrel walked Mallex Smith to lead off the bottom of the ninth. C.J. Cron then lined into a double play and Denard Span popped out to short as Kimbrel picked up his second save.

The Red Sox have beaten Tampa Bay in consecutive games after squandering a 4-0 eighth inning lead in a loss to the Rays on opening day.

Hector Velazquez will be on the mound for the Red Sox when the two clubs wrap up their 4-game series Sunday at Tropicana Field.