Rays win series opener, gain ground on Sox
(MLB.com Tampa Bay Rays)

Prior to Thursday night`s Red Sox-Rays contest, Rays manager Kevin Cash stressed the importance of the series, even if it was just July. The Rays responded in typical Rays fashion by mixing quality pitching with a healthy dose of the long ball to take a 4-1 win and move to 4 1/2 games behind the American League East-leading Red Sox.