ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Griffin Jax did not need a complete game. He needed five clean innings, one escape with the bases loaded, and a lineup that had already done the heavy lifting.
Jax allowed three hits and two walks while striking out five over five scoreless innings Sunday as the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Boston Red Sox 5-1 at Tropicana Field. ESPN's box matches that line (74 pitches, 47 strikes) and lists his record at 8-10 with a 3.62 ERA.
The Associated Press credited him with working out of a bases-loaded jam in the fifth by striking out Roman Anthony.
Tampa Bay's early offense meant Jax could challenge hitters without protecting a one-run lead. Boston still found a late highlight, but not enough of them.
Four-run first sets the tone
Patrick Sandoval (1-7) walked Yandy Diaz and Ryan Vilade, then allowed a Junior Caminero single before Jonny DeLuca ripped a two-run double down the left-field line. Chandler Simpson followed with a two-run single, and Tampa Bay led 4-0 before Jax threw a pitch in anger, the AP reported.
Victor Mesa Jr. added a solo home run in the fourth - 403 feet to right-center, per ESPN's play log - for a 5-0 cushion. Sandoval settled in after the opening mess and retired 21 of his next 23 batters through the seventh, the AP noted, but the first-inning damage was already enough for Jax to work with.
Trevor Story's ninth-inning homer off Ty Johnson spoiled the shutout but did not change the outcome.
