Rays keep pace with 7th straight, beat Boston 4-2

By Jimmy Golen

Associated Press

Published: Wednesday, Sept. 26 2012 8:50 p.m. MDT

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Former Boston Red Sox great Carl Yastrzemski waves as he emerges from a red curtain in the outfield during ceremonies honoring the "All-Time Fenway Team" prior to a baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Fenway Park in Boston, Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2012.

Elise Amendola, Associated Press

Summary

Carlos Pena and Ben Francisco hit back-to-back, tape-measure homers in the fifth inning on Wednesday night to lead the Tampa Bay Rays to their seventh consecutive victory, 4-2 over the Boston Red Sox.

BOSTON — Carlos Pena and Ben Francisco hit back-to-back, tape-measure homers in the fifth inning on Wednesday night to lead the Tampa Bay Rays to their seventh consecutive victory, 4-2 over the Boston Red Sox.

The Rays remained 3 1-2 games behind Baltimore for second place in the AL East. Tampa Bay began the day three games behind Oakland for the second wild-card spot.

It was the final home game of the season for the Red Sox, and perhaps the last at Fenway Park for Boston manager Bobby Valentine. Hired to inspire a fractious clubhouse after the team went 7-20 last September under Terry Francona, Valentine instead presided over what could be the worst Red Sox team since 1965.

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