ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Hector Velazquez continued a season-opening stretch of strong starting pitching by Boston, working into the sixth inning and leading the Red Sox over the Tampa Bay Rays 2-1 Sunday.
The first four Red Sox starters -- Chris Sale, David Price, Rick Porcello and Velazquez -- combined to give up two runs over 24 innings. The defending AL East champions won three of four at Tropicana Field under new manager Alex Cora.
Velazquez (1-0) allowed one run and five hits in 5 2/3 innings.