Red Sox Shut Out Rays 1-0, Hamilton Homers

David Hamilton hit a third-inning home run and four Boston Red Sox pitchers combined for 13 strikeouts in a 1-0 shutout victory over the Tampa Bay Rays, securing the series win after rebounding from a heavy loss earlier in the week. Boston played without Alex Bregman, who was on paternity leave following a standout five-hit, two-homer game in the previous matchup. The Red Sox bullpen was dominant, limiting the Rays to just one hit over the final 4 1/3 innings, with relievers retiring 13 of the last 14 batters and Justin Slaten earning his second save. Red Sox starter Sean Newcomb allowed only four hits in nearly five innings, and the Rays failed to advance a runner past second base. Tampa Bay starter Zack Littell pitched six strong innings but again received no run support, a recurring issue for the Rays. Rafael Devers marked his 1,000th game as a Red Sox player during the contest.