Rays Lead Division Series 1 - 0, Shut Out Boston Red Sox

ST. PETERSBURG, FL —Tampa Bay Rays shut out the Boston Red Sox in American League Division Series game 1 Thursday night with two homers and stellar pitching at the Tropicana Field, 5 — 0.

Starting pitcher Shane McClanahan struck out Sox players center fielder Kike Hernandez, short stop Xander Bogaerts and third baseman Rafael Devers at beginning of game. Sox starting pitcher, Eduardo Rodriguez allowed Rays to score two runs in the first inning.

Third inning, designated hitter Nelson Cruz homered off Sox reliever Nick Pivetta. Cruz obliterated the ball off the C-ring catwalk, which by Tropicana Field rules counts as a home run. This brought the Rays' score to three. Wander Franco, who hardly strikes out, struck out making this his fourth strikeout since Aug. 25.

Rays relief pitcher David Robertson had a one — two — three stretch into the seventh.

Franco hit a double in the seventh and Arozarena almost got tagged at third when he ran past the base. Randy Arozarena straight stole home as Brandon Lowe waited for a pitch, bringing the Rays up to five. Arozarena is the first player in postseason Major League Baseball history to hit a homer and steal home in one game, according to Stats Inc.

Nail biting moment for the Rays at top of eighth as the Sox had bases loaded with two outs on the board. Hunter Renfroe hit a pop — up and first baseman Yandy Diaz caught him out ending top of the inning.

Game 2 ALDS first pitch is 7 p.m. Friday night at the Tropicana Field, and will be broadcast on FS1.