Robertson was hitting .143 before his double./JEFFREY S. KING
Saturday, 3 a.m.
Quick start? Slow start? It really doesn't matter.
The Boston Red Sox still act as if they own the American League East.
The Red Sox, last season's World Champions, entered Friday's game last in the AL East. Still, they're a team to beware of. They beat the first-place Tampa Bay Rays 6-4 Friday night behind three home runs.
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Castillo has been mortal for two games./JEFFREY S. KING
It was the third straight game with an opener for the Rays, and the second straight loss. Rays' relievers gave up all six runs. In their final five innings, the Rays gave up six runs on 10 hits.The Rays have combined to allow 12 runs over the last two games, compared to 9 runs in the prior eight home games.
"Yeah, it was frustrating," said manager Kevin Cash."Given how we have pitched, but you have to credit their lineup. They’re really good and we knew that coming in.
"The hits are going to come. We know that with the Red Sox, but one inning you would like to have back right there. Diego (Castillo) coming in with the tie ballgame, he’s been worked a lot. Ultimately, you have to appreciate the effort that he continues to provide.”
Castillo has given up three runs this season, and they've all come the last two nights.
"We’ll be fine," Cash said. "It’s a long season. This is our first game with Boston and we’ll have some more to come, but losing two in a row should not derail good teams and it certainly won’t us.”
On of the big hits for the Rays was a two-run double by Daniel Robertson in the seventh inning that drove in two runs and tied the game 4-4.
“It was a big hit," Cash said. "I’m happy for him. A lot of the guys they care so much, they wear it on their sleeves a lot and he wants to be a big part, and he is a big part. When you’re going through an offensive funk like that you feel like you’re not playing your role and it can really weigh on you. That had to be a good feeling for him. I’m sure he’s frustrated with the loss, but I’m thrilled for him to get out of that little funk with a huge hit at the time.”
Said Robertson: “It felt good. It felt good to do something productive for the team. I guess when you go through those stretches you try to tell yourself to have little victories. See the ball, hit it hard and I was just lucky to get one down the line there. I would be lying to you if I didn’t say it felt good because it did. Obviously a big hit at that time of the game, but with that being said we lost the game.
"We just have to get back to the drawing board and show up energized and ready to play tomorrow. There are still a couple games in the series left and we’ll see what happens the next couple games, but to answer your question it did feel good. Also what felt good was them believing in me at that time. First and second would have been easy to just put a bunt play on and move the guys over, but I got the green light to have an at-bat. That’s what I took most out of it, they trust me and believe in me in that spot and most importantly I have to trust in myself and believe in myself.”
The Rays play the Red Sox again tonight at Tropicana Field. Charlie Morton of Tampa Bay will pitch against Rick Porcello. The game is scheduled for 6:10 p.m.
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