Connelly Early controlled the game from the first pitch, and two solo home runs provided all the offense Boston needed in a 2-0 victory over Tampa Bay at Fenway Park.
Early earned the win with seven scoreless innings, allowing four hits while striking out eight and walking one. The right-hander threw 96 pitches and improved to 3-2 with a 3.16 ERA. Aroldis Chapman closed out the ninth with two strikeouts for his eighth save, carrying a 0.71 ERA.
Abreu opened the scoring in the third inning with a 427-foot home run to right center. Rafaela added insurance in the fourth with a 379-foot shot to left field. Abreu finished 1-for-2 with two walks, while Rafaela went 2-for-4 with his third home run of the season.
Jesse Scholtens took the loss for Tampa Bay, allowing two runs on two hits over 4.2 innings. He walked four and struck out four on 91 pitches, falling to 3-2 with a 3.29 ERA. Mason Englert followed with 3.1 scoreless innings in relief.
Boston extended its winning streak to three games and improved to 16-21. Tampa Bay's six-game winning streak ended as they fell to 24-12.