ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Rays really aren’t going to win them all.
But they ran their franchise-best, MLB-leading record to 10-0 on Monday with a 1-0 victory over the Red Sox.
Brandon Lowe delivered the game’s only run with a one-out homer in the eighth. This was the third straight game in which Lowe has homered.
The Rays are the first team to win their first 10 since the 1987 Brewers, who along with the 1982 Braves share the major-league record at 13. Only one other team has won more than 10 straight to start a season, the 1981 A’s. The 1966 Indians, 1962 Pirates and 1955 Dodgers also won 10 in a row.
Monday did end the Rays’ streak of winning games by four or more runs at nine.
The Red Sox threatened in the eighth against Colin Poche, the Rays’ fourth pitcher and fourth lefty, of the night. Alex Verdugo drew a leadoff walk, pinch-hitter Bobby Dalbec delivered a one-out single and Enrique Hernandez drew a two-out walk to load the bases.
Poche escaped by striking out dangerous Rafael Devers, getting him looking at a 93-mph fastball. In his career, Devers is 0-for-8 vs. Poche.
After piling up a majors-most 75 runs in nine games against the Tigers, Nationals and A’s for an average of 8.33 per game, the Rays had a tougher test against the American League East rival Red Sox and starter Nick Pivetta.
Monday’s game was the first against an AL East team for the Rays, as the new schedule format reduced the number of intradivision games from 19 to 13, and thus from three visits a season to two.
Jalen Beeks worked two innings as the opener for the Rays, allowing one hit. Josh Fleming, who had a rough season debut April 4 at Washington in allowing 10 hits and five runs over three-plus innings, followed and worked an impressive four innings, giving up just one hit. Garrett Cleavinger and Poche followed.
