Josh Lowe hit a key RBI double and scored a run in the seventh inning, helping the Tampa Bay Rays defeat the Boston Red Sox 2-1 on Friday night.
Taj Bradley (8-11), a right-handed pitcher, earned the win by throwing six scoreless innings, allowing three hits, one walk, and striking out seven while hitting one batter.
“It’s always good to go into the offseason with a good start, a good taste in your mouth,” Bradley said. He also became the third pitcher in Tampa Bay history to achieve 150 or more strikeouts before turning 24, joining Scott Kazmir and Matt Moore.
“I just felt good with everything. There’s stuff (pitching coach Kyle Snyder) and I talked about for the past few weeks, and I was able to execute. And I was just giddy coming off the mound knowing that I did that,” he added.
Lowe’s double broke a scoreless tie, scoring Jonathan Aranda, who had walked earlier against Boston starter Nick Pivetta (6-12).
Jonny DeLuca then singled, but DeLuca was thrown out at the plate trying to score on Lowe’s hit, which led to Pivetta leaving the game for left-hander Zach Penrod.
“A couple good swings, (opposite field) on both of them,” Rays manager Kevin Cash said about Lowe, who had two hits. “Another guy, good to see doing some good things.”
Pivetta, who might become a free agent after this season, pitched 6 2/3 innings, allowing two runs on four hits, one walk, and striking out six.
“It’s been a hefty four years, almost five years for me and there’s a lot to be grateful for,” Pivetta said. “A lot of opportunities have been given and I try to take advantage of every single one.
But also I’ve had a lot of help along the way and there’s been a lot of people around that have helped guide me, and a lot of them are in the dugout and the coaching staff. So, it’s really emotional for me.”
