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Rays batter Red Sox again to take 3-1 series lead

(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-10-15 13:04

BOSTON - The Tampa Bay Rays battered the Red Sox 13-4 on Tuesday and roughed up Red Sox pitchers to open a commanding 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven American League Championship Series.

The Rays took an early lead with back-to-back home runs in the first inning, beginning with first baseman Carlos Pena's two-run homer and followed by third baseman Evan Longoria's fifth home run of the post-season, a record for a rookie.

Red Sox manager Terry Francona turned to the bullpen early, removing starting pitcher Tim Wakefield in less than three innings after a two-run homer by designated hitter Willy Aybar and a hard base hit into left field by Dioner Navarro.

All three home runs sailed over Fenway Park's infamous Green Monster fence and Aybar's landed outside the stadium.

Red Sox catcher Kevin Cash put Boston on the board in the third inning with a solo home run off Rays' starting pitcher Andy Sonnanstine, who threw 97 pitches over seven innings and allowed just six hits.

Boston's World Series hopes and a shot at a third championship victory in five years faded further in a miserable sixth inning when Tampa Bay added five runs and kept the bases loaded through nearly its entire line-up of hitters.