Boston Red Sox defeat Tampa Bay Rays, 6-1

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.—As much as the Boston Red Sox wanted to play down the significance of beating the Tampa Bay Rays, David Ortiz conceded it did feel good to finally break through against baseball's top team.

"Of course, man. These guys have been giving us a hard time," Ortiz said after he and Kevin Youkilis homered in support of right-hander Clay Buchholz in a 6-1 victory Monday night.

"Not only to us, to everyone," the slugger added. "They have the best record in...

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The baseball was lifted, high enough that it caught on a speaker in a park known for its quirks. Dustin Pedroia didn’t move, didn’t run toward first base, didn’t do much of anything. He also didn’t really know what was going on.

“How about that?’’ Pedroia said. “It scared me. I didn’t run. I’m like, ‘Oh my God. Tito’s going to bench me for seven months and laugh about it.’ ’’

Hardly, given how Pedroia broke out of his 0-for-19 skid with two sin...