ST. PETERSBURG (SNN-TV) – Having won the first two of their four game set with the Red Sox, the Rays’ ace, Shane McClanahan took to the mound last night, hoping to maintain his success.
Sugar Shane stayed hot, as he earned his 10th win and regained the major league lead in strikeouts during his final outing before the All-Star Game, pitching the Rays past the Boston 4-1.
The Rays have won five straight against the rival Red Sox. McClanahan struck out six and allowed one run in 6 1/3 innings of three-hit ball. He increased his season total to 147 strikeouts.
The 25-year-old lefty lowered his AL-best ERA to 1.71 and equaled his win total from his rookie season a year ago.
Tonight Drew Rasmussen will start in the series finale for Tampa Bay against Boston’s Kutter Crawford.
