St. Petersburg, FL (Sports Network) - David Price pitched into the eighth inning and the Tampa Bay Rays scored twice in the seventh to take the middle installment of a three-game set against the Boston Red Sox, 5-3.
Price (12-4) gave up three runs -- two earned -- on six hits and three walks in 7 1/3 innings. The left-hander, who has won his last four decisions, also fanned eight and is now tied for the major league lead in wins.
B.J. Upton hit his eighth home run for the Rays, who have won three of their last five.
Clay Buchholz (8-3) was activated from the 15-day disabled list prior to the game and took the loss. He allowed four runs on three hits and a walk in 6 1/3 innings, while striking out eight. It was his first defeat since May 16 at Tampa Bay, snapping a four-start winning streak.
Will Middlebrooks blasted his 11th home run, but the Red Sox lost for the seventh time in their last nine games.
The Sports Network