Nick Martinez controlled the strike zone for nearly six innings, and Tampa Bay built an early lead that proved sufficient in a 4-1 victory over Boston at Fenway Park.
Martinez (4-1) allowed seven hits and one run over 5.2 innings, walking none while striking out three. The right-hander carried a 1.70 ERA into his sixth start of the season. Bryan Baker earned his 10th save with a scoreless ninth inning.
Junior Caminero opened the scoring with a solo home run to left center in the first inning, his 404-foot blast giving the Rays an early advantage. Tampa Bay extended the lead in the third when Fortes scored on a fielding error by shortstop Story, followed immediately by Williamson's RBI single that brought Simpson home. Mullins added an insurance run in the sixth with a sacrifice bunt that scored Williamson.
Payton Tolle (1-2) absorbed the loss for Boston, allowing seven hits and three runs over five innings. His ERA stands at 2.78. Mickey Gasper provided the lone bright spot for the Red Sox offense, going 3-for-4 with two doubles and an RBI. Story scored Boston's only run in the sixth on Gasper's single to right.
Tampa Bay improved to 25-13 and maintained first place in the division. Boston fell to 17-22 despite snapping a losing streak.