Rays' Odorizzi injured, makes early exit vs. Red Sox

"It's been a smooth transition. It makes you feel more comfortable".

"He's probably in the best spot he's been from a delivery standpoint in the year and a half he's been here", said manager John Farrell, who had planned to give Kimbrel the day off until the closer came to him and said he could pitch.

Red Sox slugger Hanley Ramirez advanced from first to second on Moreland's hit and limped off with what Boston called a left hamstring cramp.

"The only mistake was the first pitch", Ramirez said. "I'll be in there tomorrow".

But the Red Sox (6-5) have scored just three runs for him in the starts. Mookie Betts and Christian Vazquez each had three hits. Peter Bourjos then went down swinging before Evan Longoria evened the score with an RBI single. The lefty went seven innings, allowing one run on three hits while whiffing 12.

Boston Marathon bombing survivor Roseann Sdoia and firefighter Mike Materia throw out the ceremonial first pitch before a baseball game between the Boston Red Sox and the Tampa Bay Rays in Boston, Saturday, April 15, 2017, in Boston.

The Tampa Bay Rays were having a lot of fun with what Shane Peterson did.

"Outstanding effort by everybody that pitched after O", Cash said. "And we had every opportunity to win that game".

It's been a nagging problem for the Rays, who lead the major leagues in strikeouts with 139.

Last Aug. 22, Snell gave up fewer runs against Boston - two runs on four hits and five walks with three strikeouts over 3 2/3 innings - but wound up with the loss in a 6-2 decision. Panda jumped a couple of times to celebrate with teammates on his way back to the dugout. "I like that. I like going out there and being in those games".

Prior to the game, the Rays moved Mallex Smith to the 10-day disabled list, moved Brad Boxberger from the 10-day DL to the 60-day, and purchased the contract of Shane Peterson. The Red Sox rallied to take the next two games, leaping back over the Rays to sit a mere 1.5 games behind the AL East leading Baltimore Orioles. Dustin Pedroia fouled a ball off his left ankle, limped around but stayed in the game.

Rookie Ben Taylor gave up a run-scoring single to Steven Souza Jr. with two outs in the seventh, then retired Logan Morrison on a bases-loaded flyout.

Erasmo Ramirez replaced Odorizzi after a prolonged delay since the righty reliever was unprepared to enter the game and relievers coming in after an injury receive as much time as they need to get warmed up. Obviously, I had a rough outing my last time.

After winning 89 games last season and finishing the year one step shy of the World Series, Toronto lost nine of its first 10 games - the worst start in franchise history.

"It's a special day for the city and I'm just excited to have that opportunity", Wright said. Closing out the week, Steven Souza had 14 hits with eight RBI and seven runs, while Chris Dickerson held 13 hits with four runs and five RBI.

Wright's first stint in the majors wasn't a long one.

Rays: RHP Alex Cobb (1-1, 3.46 ERA) is scheduled to start Sunday.