ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., June 16 (UPI) -- Boston starter Clay Buchholz had five strikeouts in five innings before leaving with a sore back Thursday and the Red Sox held on to down Tampa Bay 4-2.
The Red Sox completed an 8-1 road trip, their best since going unbeaten in nine road games in 1977. Boston has won 13 of its last 15 away from Fenway Park and 11 out of 12 overall.
Three runs over the first two innings gave Boston the early lead and the Red Sox still had a 3-1 advantage through five when Buchholz (6-3) complained of tightness in his back.
Alfredo Aceves and Daniel Bard combined to limit Tampa Bay to a run on two hits over the next three innings. Jonathan Papelbon survived a shaky ninth to collect his 13th save.
Papelbon put runners on first and second with nobody out, but Elliot Johnson popped out on a sacrifice bunt attempt and the next two batters struck out to end the threat.
David Ortiz drew a bases-loaded walk in the first inning to put Boston in front. Darnell McDonald singled in a run in the second and scored on a double by Dustin Pedroia.
Adrian Gonzalez added an insurance run in the ninth with his 14th homer.
David Price (7-6) allowed three runs on five hits over five innings to take the loss.
