ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., Sept. 9 (UPI) -- Wade Davis allowed six hits Friday and went the distance for the second time in his three-year career, lifting the Tampa Bay Rays to a 7-2 victory over Boston.
The Rays climbed within 5 1/2 games of the Red Sox for the lead in the American League wild-card race. Boston has dropped three in a row.
Davis (10-8) struck out eight and threw a complete game for the first time since his rookie season in 2009. He has 61 major league starts.
John Jaso hit a three-run homer in the second to get the Tampa Bay offense going. The Rays have five victories in six games.
John Lackey (12-12) suffered the loss and went just three innings. He was taken out of the game after being hit in the left leg by a line drive from Jaso.
Boston was without the services of third baseman Kevin Youkilis, who returned to Boston for further examination on his sore left hip.
