BOSTON, Aug. 16 (UPI) -- Boston's Jon Lester, backed by a three-run home run, allowed just three hits Tuesday in a 3-1 Red Sox win over Tampa Bay in the first game of a double-header.
Rays' starter James Shields (11-10) also allowed only three hits, but all came in the third inning and the third was a three-run home run by Jacoby Ellsbury.
Shields walked one and struck out six over eight innings. After singles by Josh Roddick and Mike Aviles and Ellsbury's 21st home run of the year, Shields got the next six Red Sox out. He allowed his long walk and then retired the last 15 batters he faced.
Lester (12-6) gave up a pair of first-inning doubles, with Evan Longoria driving in Desmond Jenkins with a ground out before Ben Zobrist's double. Lester didn't give up another hit until Longoria's one-out single in the sixth broke his string of 12 consecutive batters retired.
Lester, who walked one, hit one and struck out eight, was lifted after the seven innings. He was followed by Daniel Bard and Jonathan Papelbon, who each pitched one perfect inning. Papelbon earned his 28th save.
