That probably won't make any frustrated fans feel any better, but for a 2-9 team that needs to find positives, they'll have to take it.
Boston is the only team in baseball with just two wins, and it's a total the team could sit on for a bit. With a significant threat of rain for Wednesday and a day off Thursday, it's very possible the Red Sox, the team many had going all the way, will reach April 15 at 2-9.
Of course, we have to get through Wednesday first. Check in with the live blog all day for weather updates. We will do our best to keep you posted with all the news from the park.
Thanks for following along tonight.
Final, Rays 3-2: It's that kind of a season, folks. The Red Sox get a solid start, some good relief work, play some great defense but fall once again.
At 2-9 they have the worst record in baseball to themselves, provided Houston holds onto a 7-0 lead.
Kyle Farnsworth strikes out Jacoby Ellsbury and J.D. Drew and then gets David Ortiz to fly to right.
We're off to get the mood in the clubhouse.
Mid 9th, Rays 3-2: The Rays entered this season with one major question mark. It was their bullpen, which was forced to undergo a nearly complete overhaul during the winter.
So far, the bullpen hasn't been the problem. It entered this one with a 3.77 ERA, and Joel Peralta got a big out to finish the eighth.
Now, it comes down to Kyle Farnsworth, their new closer. He has one save on the season.
Great job by Bobby Jenks in the top of the ninth. He has looked fantastic from the moment he started throwing in games down in Fort Myers.
Jacoby Ellsbury is hitting for Mike Cameron to start the bottom of the ninth.
End 8th, Rays 3-2: Quality game here. Even though many of you may not be pleased with the side of the score that the Red Sox are on, you have to appreciate some solid baseball for once. Been so little of it this year in their games.
Joel Peralta does his job by getting Jed Lowrie to fly to center with two on in the eighth. Sox are 1-for-7 with runners in scoring position, continuing a difficult run for them in those situations.
Lowrie had the one clutch hit earlier in the game, but didn't get enough of that one.
Bobby Jenks is your new pitcher.
9:47 p.m.: David Price's last pitch of the night hits Kevin Youkilis in the left elbow. That gives the Red Sox runners at first and second with two outs against Joel Peralta.
There was some great drama there for a moment. After Dustin Pedroia walked with one out, Adrian Gonzalez stepped in. The thought of him hitting that first Fenway Park homer had to be running through the minds of many.
Alas, he grounded to second. Should've been a double play except for the fact that Elliot Johnson bobbled it, allowing Pedroia to scamper to second.
Jed Lowrie coming up in a huge spot. He already has two doubles in this one.
Mid 8th, Rays 3-2: The bat and the ball went past Daniel Bard at the same time, preventing him from fielding Johnny Damon's comebacker, giving the Rays a runner with one out in the eighth.
Damon bolted for second and made it rather easily to pick up Tampa Bay's third stolen base of the game.
So many jokes were made when Carl Crawford joined the Red Sox that guys like Jason Varitek wouldn't have to worry about the Rays running wild on the Red Sox anymore. They are 3-for-3 in stolen base attempts in this one, although technically 3-for-4 since Felipe Lopez was picked off.
Joe Maddon teams will always press the issue, so the absence of Crawford means little in that regard.
Bard gets B.J. Upton on a fly to right and Lopez on a grounder to Dustin Pedroia, leaving Damon at third.
End 7th, Rays 3-2: That will indeed do it for Jon Lester, as we hear the familar first few chords of Ted Nugent's "Stranglehold," ushering in the appearance of Daniel Bard.
Lester will remain winless. He can lose it, which would give him his first decision of the season. Lester had never entered the third start of the season without a decision.
Wow, that is a weak stat. Sorry.
Mid 7th, Rays 3-2: The third double play of the night turned by the Red Sox gets Jon Lester through seven. Aside from a handful of poor pitches in the fifth, he has been excellent.
Unfortunately, they were all bunched together. At 109 pitches, he should be done, but we will see with two lefties due up next inning for the Rays.
End 6th, Rays 3-2: As has been the case all homestand, Dustin Pedroia gets the Red Sox cooking with a first-pitch double to begin the sixth.
He moves to third when Adrian Gonzalez's liner smacks David Price in the backside and dribbles to second baseman Sean Rodriguez, who flips to first for the out.
Price left a Grapefruit League game against the Red Sox last spring after the shard of a broken bat (Adrian Beltre's) cut his right hand.
Price is just fine this time and battles right back to freeze Kevin Youkilis on an inside fastball for the second out, a big one in this game. Youkilis didn't like the call, and may have had a legitimate beef with Jeff Nelson, who isn't winning over and of the Red Sox players tonight.
The Red Sox were in obvious need of a big hit, and they got it when Jed Lowrie hammered his second double of the game to plate Pedroia. Lowrie is now 7-for-15 on the season.
Mid 6th, Rays 3-1: A couple of groans when Jon Lester walks Felipe Lopez to start the sixth, but plenty of cheers when he picks him off.
It goes as a 1-3-6-3-4 caught stealing. A strikeout — Lester's eighth — and a weak grounder to short gets him through the inning having thrown 102 pitches.
Nobody up in the Sox pen as I type this. The seventh is all Lester's if he avoids trouble.
David Price steps to the mound doing much better in the pitch count category. He is at 70.
End 5th, Rays 3-1: It might not look like it, but live-blogging is an intense activity. When the heat of the summer comes, I can lose 10 pounds in a single game doing this.
To offset the loss of fluids, I drink a lot. But when outs are made in a hurry, those trips to get a Coke can result in some missed at-bats.
Such was the case in the fifth, as Jason Varitek flied to right on the second pitch of the inning and Darnell McDonald lined a hot shot to third on the fourth, all while I put ice in a cup.
Once back in the booth with Don and Jerry, I got to see Marco Scutaro draw the first walk of the game from David Price and Carl Crawford engage in a little battle before striking out to finish the frame.
Did we just hear some boos for Crawford there? Think we did.
By the way, if all the current scores hold, the Red Sox would own the worst record in baseball all alone for the first time this season. Houston, one of the two other 2-8 teams with Tampa Bay, is winning 4-0.
Mid 5th, Rays 3-1: When Rays manager Joe Maddon addressed reporters prior to Monday's series opener he said he had faith in his team and his offense, despite its paltry production and the continued absence of Evan Longoria.
One could've glanced at the numbers and the lineup Maddon had put down and laughed in his face. But he knew better at-bats would be coming, and that's what we've seen so far in this series.
Of course, Daisuke Matsuzaka made it pretty easy for Tampa Bay in his outing, and Jon Lester's sudden loss of location in the fifth inning of this one certainly provided an assist. After retiring eight out of nine men, Lester gave up three straight singles to the bottom of the order with one out in the fifth.
A tapper down the first-base line by that guy, Sam Fuld, gave the Rays their first run on a close play at the plate (it was the only play for a charging Adrian Gonzalez). Johnny Damon then singled in a pair before Lester escaped with a 4-3 double play.
Just like that, Tampa Bay has a lead, the Red Sox bullpen is active and Lester is already up to 89 pitches.
End 4th, Red Sox 1-0: Couldn't put it any better than Jerry did when referencing Kevin Youkilis: "It's starting to come around for Youkilis."
We mentioned earlier (see 4:41 p.m. post) that Youkilis has an average that won't have him smiling, but he leads the majors in walks entering the night, doing what he needs to do to get on base while the hits are few and far between.
That signals some quality at-bats, and the hits will come in due time. He drove an offering from David Price off the wall in left for a single in the fourth, and it came moments after he sent one down the other line toward the Pesky Pole, missing a home run by 10-20 feet.
When Youkilis goes on a tear, he really goes on a tear (take a look at his stretch from late April to late May last year). Could we be on the cusp?
Mid 4th, Red Sox 1-0: Jon Lester has struck out four in a row, five of the last six hitters and seven overall. This is looking very much like his last start against Cleveland, when he began to pick up steam in the middle innings and then became dominant.
Great to see Lester finding his stride after all those April questions resurfaced in the wake of his season debut.
With David Price heading back out there, it takes me back. Gather 'round, kids.
Perhaps the most impressive start made against the Red Sox last season was when Price beat them in Tropicana Field on July 7. His line (7 2/3 IP, 8 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 10 Ks) was not his very best of the year, but the way he went about it was remarkable.
Price threw 100 of his 111 pitches that night for fastballs and didn't throw his second off-speed pitch until the fifth inning. It was a dominant pitch and even though the Sox knew it was coming, they couldn't do a thing.
So far tonight, Price has thrown fastballs on 28 of his 40 pitches, not nearly the percentage but more in tune with an early-season start, when arm strength might still be picking up.
End 3rd, Red Sox 1-0: That's why you pick a night like tonight to put in a guy like Darnell McDonald.
Facing a guy against whom he has had success, McDonald smacks a David Price curveball for a leadoff homer in the third. McDonald is now 4-for-10 with a home run, triple and two walks vs. Price.
It was McDonald's first hit of the season.
Mid 3rd, 0-0: Jerry uses the term "unhittable" to describe a fastball thrown by Jon Lester to strike out Elliot Johnson in the third.
Johnson's reaction (turn, drop chin, walk to dugout) said just about the same thing. Just not much any hitter can do with that one.
Sam "In the Fold" Fuld of Durham, NH, looped a single into right with two outs and then stole second. As Jerry mentioned, that's two steals for the Rays and the eighth against Boston this year.
Just like the second inning, which saw Ben Zobrist reach with two outs and steal second, the Rays are at least making Lester work. He has been very good, but has needed 57 pitches to get through three. Lester has five strikeouts.
End 2nd, 0-0: Jed Lowrie's playing time was scarce over the first week of the season, but his hot bat should have him getting starts with more regularity going forward.
Lowrie, who entered this one a .314 career hitter against left-handers, rips David Price's first pitch to him for a double. That bumps Lowrie to 6-for-13 (.462) on the season and gives him his first extra-base hit.
The Red Sox could not get the run in and are now batting .192 (19-for-99) with runners in scoring position. Terry Francona talked a bit about those issues earlier today, saying that should normalize over time.
Kevin Youkilis grounded out rather hard to third base to start the inning. As he ran down the line he stared into the dugout as if to ask, "What do I have to do to get a hit?" He is making good contact, but falls to 5-for-31 (.161) after that out.
Mid 2nd, 0-0: Jon Lester thought he had strike three on Ben Zobrist for the final out of the second. As Don and Jerry noted, the 2-2 pitch was easily a strike, but home plate umpire Jeff Nelson didn't pull the trigger.
Lester took two steps toward the dugout after that no-call and did the same after his next offering just missed the outside corner, putting Zobrist on with a walk.
Although he probably should've been in the dugout, those two-out walks are what Lester wants to cut down on this year. This one didn't hurt him on the scoreboard, but it did drive that pitch count up to 35.
Quite a glare by Lester in on Nelson as he walks off the field. Jason Varitek also has a few words with Nelson, although they seemed cordial.
Good thing Lester got a double play earlier in the frame to erase Felipe Lopez, who singled off the Green Monster to start the inning.
End 1st, 0-0: Seems the initiation for newcomers is to get hit in the hand by hard-throwing lefties. Two days after it happens to Adrian Gonzalez (CC Sabathia the pitcher), Carl Crawford is struck by a David Price offering to start the bottom of the first.
That, of course, was the first meeting between the former teammates. It gave the Red Sox a little promise right off the bat, but Price took care of that in an instant.
First, he fanned Dustin Pedroia, who is 0-for-7 in his career vs. Price. Then, with Crawford leaning, Price picks him off for the second out. Adrian Gonzalez, facing Price for the first time, pops to left.
Mid 1st, 0-0: Since giving up a three-run homer to Mike Napoli in his first start of the year, Jon Lester has thrown 9 2/3 consecutive scoreless innings.
That includes an impressive top of the first in which he struck out Johnny Damon and B.J. Upton on fastballs. The heater registered near the mid-90s, about where we are accustomed to seeing.
Lester was a notch below that at times in Texas and early in his start in Cleveland. He seems to be getting his power back as time goes on.
6:58 p.m.: Pregame ceremonies included Carl Crawford picking up his Gold Glove award. Although some frown on the process that goes into that award, Crawford has worked very hard to become a top-notch left fielder and took incredible pride in the honor.
With that, we are moments from first pitch in what should be an incredible pitching matchup. I'm perched a row behind Don and Jerry, so we're good to go on a nice, if a bit chilly, night for baseball.
By the way, the Yankees game against the Orioles was rained out in New York. That's what is heading out way.
6:27 p.m.: If you saw me blogging from the NESN booth during spring training, you know how awkward it is for everyone when those bright lights hit my bald dome, but we're doing it again tonight.
I'll be blogging from a perch above Don and Jerry, where I'll be able to use their considerably better insight to spice this thing up. Wear your sunglasses, the glare is tremendous.
6:13 p.m.: A telling quote during Terry Francona's postgame news conference Monday was this: "The good news is Lester's tomorrow."
Well, now Lester is today and he is looking to continue a nice little run against the rival Rays. In his last three starts against Tampa Bay, Lester has allowed just two runs on seven hits in 19 innings, going 3-0 in the process.
Included in that run is 29 strikeouts, better than 1.5 per inning.
The Rays in the lineup who have faced Lester are a combined 22-for-103 (.214) with an eye-popping 39 strikeouts. His 106 Ks vs. Tampa Bay are more than he has against any other team.
5:20 p.m.: One nice note to pass on to you. Jarrod Saltalamacchia and his wife welcomed a baby girl to the world early this morning, one reason why Saltalamacchia is out of the lineup.
Everyone is healthy. That's already No. 3 for Salty, so he has plenty to tend to in addition to a struggling staff. He was all smiles in the clubhouse, which was great to see.
5:12 p.m.: Joe Maddon is never shy about tinkering with his lineup, and with Evan Longoria out and Manny Ramirez officially gone for good, it's been a daily practice.
Maddon is at it again with a very different look in this one, although the switch from facing Daisuke Matsuzaka to facing Jon Lester would necessitate some changes anyway.
Here is the Rays lineup, with only the top two spots staying the same as they did Monday night:
Sam Fuld, LF
Johnny Damon, DH
B.J. Upton, CF
Felipe Lopez, 3B
Sean Rodriguez, 2B
Ben Zobrist, RF
Kelly Shoppach, C
Dan Johnson, 1B
Elliot Johnson, SS
4:41 p.m.: The rain should not impact tonight's game, but it is on its way. Wednesday will be very wet, and those of you with tickets for that game should plan accordingly.
Because of that, there are no plans to shuffle the rotation or anything like that in the wake of Daisuke Matsuzaka's difficult start. There has been thought that with Thursday being a day off, the Red Sox could simply skip Matsuzaka in the rotation and stay on schedule with everyone else. Due to the rain, the club wants to just get through Wednesday before any decisions are made.
Terry Francona said the plan right now is for Matsuzaka to still pitch Sunday against Toronto. We will know in 24 hours or so how the weather impacts the rotation as a whole.
"I know there's a chance of rain tomorrow so we probably have a couple of plans going," Francona said.
As for Matsuzaka and the reaction a day after, Francona said there will be no rash decisions.
"It was a horrendous second inning," Francona said. "I think if we do things like that we set ourselves up for some bad mistakes. It was tough to watch, but if you make decisions based on emotions and after a bad start, we would'tn have a team left. You can't do that."
In other news, today's lineup (listed below and broken down a bit here) is an effort by Francona to "get as many right-handed hitters in there," an elementary move with David Price on the mound. He said either Kevin Youkilis or Adrian Gonzalez was going to DH, but Youkilis got the role.
"On a night like today we like to use it to his advantage," Francona said of Youkilis. "He can swing the whole game, might be good for him. Plus it allows us to free up Lowrie. We can move him around [the infield]."
It's been a grind for Youkilis, but he is 3-for-12 with eight walks in the last four games, so he's seeing the ball much better. Plus, several of his outs have been of the hard variety, including the line-drive double play to second base in the seventh inning Monday.
In a nod to just how great a hitter Youkilis is, he leads all of baseball in walks with 13, three more than any player in the American League. Just shows how he can put forth quality at-bats even when he's mired in a slump.
Youkilis, a notorious fast starter, may be on the verge of truly breaking out.
3:16 p.m.: As expected, some major changes in the Red Sox lineup. Have a look:
Carl Crawford, LF
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Kevin Youkilis, DH
Jed Lowrie, 3B
Mike Cameron, CF
Jason Varitek, C
Darnell McDonald, RF
Marco Scutaro, SS
Terry Francona said there will be some changes today. Look for a little more on the matchups in a separate piece to be posted soon.
8 a.m.: Two of the top left-handers in baseball face off Tuesday night in Fenway Park when Jon Lester leads the Red Sox against Tampa Bay Rays ace David Price.
The two southpaws both finished in the top four in the American League Cy Young Award voting last season. Both are seeking their first win of the year.
Boston and Tampa Bay both enter the game 2-8, tied for the worst record in all of baseball. The Rays took the opener Monday night, hammering Red Sox starter Daisuke Matsuzaka in a 16-5 win.
Rain is in the forecast for Tuesday, so keep checking the live blog throughout the day for weather updates. First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m.
