Cody Ross helped the Boston Red Sox rebound from a frustrating loss.

Ross homered and drove in four runs, Felix Doubront won his third consecutive start and the Red Sox beat the Tampa Bay Rays, 5-3, on Thursday night.

“I was going after this game tonight,” Boston manager Bobby Valentine said. “The guys really wanted this game, and I was just going to do everything we could to win it. Just frustration (from Wednesday’s loss), and we wanted to get back into the winning ways.”

The Red Sox were beaten, 2-1, on Wednesday. The Rays’ go-ahead run scored when Ross, in right field, had problems with the Tropicana Field roof and had to backpedal to catch Luke Scott’s shallow sacrifice fly.

Ross extended Boston’s lead to 5-2 Thursday on a two-run single off reliever Wade Davis with two outs in the eighth.

“Cody was big,” Valentine said. “Cody will give you everything he has, and it’s enough for me.”

Doubront (4-1) allowed two runs and six hits over 52/3 innings. The left-hander was hit on the ear by a ball during batting practice Tuesday and cleared one day later to make his scheduled start.

Matt Moore (1-4) gave up three runs and five hits in six innings for Tampa Bay, which had its four-game winning streak snapped.

“I thought he finished really strong,” Tampa Bay manager Joe Maddon said. “That’s definitely a game to build off. He definitely pitched well enough to win. Confidence is a big thing. I know he’s going to sleep better. Despite the loss, he’s going to feel better about himself. That’s just a right step in the right direction.”

Moore retired his last 10 batters. He struck out eight and walked one.

Alfredo Aceves, the fifth Boston reliever, got four outs for his eighth save. He allowed B.J Upton’s RBI single with two outs in the eighth.

After falling behind in the count 0-2, Ross worked a bases-loaded walk off Moore to put the Red Sox up 1-0 in the first. Moore avoided further damage by striking out Daniel Nava to end the inning.

Boston went ahead 2-0 on Marlon Byrd’s second-inning homer. Ross made it 3-0 with his seventh homer, on an 0-2 pitch with two outs in the third.

Jeff Keppinger got the Rays within 3-1 on an RBI single in the third. Upton reached base with two outs when Kelly Shoppach was charged with catcher’s interference and went to second when Luke Scott was hit by a pitch.

Rich Thompson, who has played in 1,388 minor league games, cut the Tampa Bay deficit to 3-2 with his first big league hit, a run-scoring single in the fourth. Thompson, acquired in a trade with Philadelphia on Wednesday, also stole second and third after his hit.

The Rays loaded the bases later in the fourth with two outs, but Scott hit a hard liner that was caught by first baseman Adrian Gonzalez.

“We always have pretty good series against the Rays,” Boston shortstop Mike Aviles said. “The fact they won (Wednesday) in a close game, and another close game today, it’s definitely good to get that win. Bobby did the right thing mixing and matching later in the game.”

Aviles was ejected in the seventh by plate umpire Dan Bellino for arguing after striking out. It was his first career ejection.

“Guys had complaints tonight and I was with them,” Valentine said. “We’ve got to fight through it, that’s for sure. We’re trying our hardest, and I think they’re trying their hardest, too.”

Tampa Bay second baseman Will Rhymes was not in the lineup a night after being hit by a pitch in the right arm, fainting after walking to first base and having to be driven off the field on a cart. Maddon said Rhymes, who is day to day with a bruised right forearm, was feeling better and wanted to take batting practice but the team trainer wouldn’t allow it.

Around the bases

Tampa Bay senior adviser Don Zimmer returned to Tropicana Field for a game for the first time since the opening weekend of the season against the New York Yankees. The 81-year-old ex-Red Sox and Cubs manager has been undergoing dialysis for kidney problems. … Valentine said DH David Ortiz will play first base and Gonzalez will move to right field for at least one game of this weekend’s interleague series at Philadelphia. … Tampa Bay 3B Evan Longoria (partial tear left hamstring) took grounders and continues taking batting practice.

Neither the Boston Red Sox nor the Philadelphia Phillies are accustomed to spending much time at the bottom of the standings, and neither is playing like a last-place club right now.

The standings don’t lie, though, and they say this weekend’s interleague series at Citizens Bank Park is a matchup of cellar dwellers.

Cole Hamels will try to move the Phillies two games above .500 for the first time this season when he gets the ball Friday night, and given his recent performances and his track record against the Red Sox he seems likely to do just that.

Off to the best start of a stellar seven-year career, Hamels (5-1, 2.28 ERA) is trying to win a sixth consecutive decision for the first time. The Phillies have won each of his last six starts with Hamels compiling a 1.93 ERA.

The left-hander garnered a five-game suspension for intentionally throwing at Washington rookie Bryce Harper during a May 6 victory, but that ban only pushed his next start back one day. Hamels didn’t miss a beat Sunday, throwing seven innings of one-run ball to help Philadelphia beat San Diego 3-2.

“I know if I just go out there and I battle and try to pitch deep into the ball game and we put up some runs, then I can get wins,” Hamels said. “If we’re able to score early then I just have to work off that. There’s been a few times where we scored late. I think it’s helpful just being able to go out there and know that your team is going to come through at the end.”

If a suspension couldn’t slow Hamels down, the Red Sox may not be able to, either. Hamels is 3-0 in four career starts against the Red Sox with a 1.44 ERA – third-lowest of any pitcher since 1921 with a minimum of four starts versus Boston.

Curiously, Hamels is 2-10 with a 4.95 ERA against all other AL opponents.

Despite owning the longest active winning streak in the majors and a winning record, Philadelphia (20-19) remains at the bottom of the competitive NL East. The Phillies earned their fifth straight victory Thursday night, allowing four ninth-inning runs but holding on to beat the Cubs 8-7.

Carlos Ruiz had his sixth career four-hit game and three RBIs, Jimmy Rollins had two hits, a walk and scored three runs, and Hunter Pence added a two-run single.

While the Phillies boast the best record of any last-place club in the majors, the Red Sox (18-20) have the top mark among AL teams in last place. Boston has won six of seven after salvaging a two-game split with Thursday’s 5-3 victory at Tampa Bay.

Cody Ross hit his seventh home run and drove in four of Boston’s five runs Thursday. He could be primed for more Friday, as he has four homers in 35 at-bats off Hamels.

“Cody will give you everything he has,” Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine said, “and it’s enough for me.”

Should Hamels leave in line for a win, he may set the stage for Phillies closer Jonathan Papelbon to face his former teammates for the first time. Papelbon notched a franchise-record 219 saves in six seasons as Boston’s closer before departing via free agency this past offseason.

He’s been worth the four-year, $50 million investment thus far for Philadelphia, converting all 11 of his save opportunities while manager Charlie Manuel has taken pains never to use him for longer than an inning.

Since leaving the Red Sox, Papelbon has criticized both the Boston training staff and fans through the media. The Phillies do not visit Fenway Park this season.

When Papelbon departed, setup man Daniel Bard (3-4, 4.30) appeared likely to assume the closer role for the Red Sox. Instead, he’s been converted to a starter and has had mixed results heading into Friday’s outing.

Bard is coming off one of his stronger starts of the season, however. The right-hander limited Cleveland to one run over six innings of Sunday’s 12-1 victory.

The Red Sox hold a 27-19 edge in the all-time series against the Phillies, but Philadelphia took two of three from Boston last season at Citizens Bank Park. These clubs have met each season that interleague play has existed except 2002 and 2007.

ST. PETERSBURG — Bobby Valentine said he could sense his guys wanted Thursday night’s game, and the Boston Red Sox played like it. A night after having their five-game winning streak stopped, the Red Sox regained their mid-May momentum, beating the Tampa Bay Rays 5-3 at Tropicana Field on Thursday. “I just think these guys were ready to get back to the winning ways,” Boston’s manager said. Cody Ross hit his seventh home run and drove in four runs, and Marlon Byrd hit his first home run for Boston, helping the Sox gain a split in the two-game series. “Cody was big tonight,” Valentine said after Ross drew a bases-loaded walk in the first, hit a two-out solo home run in the third and broke the game open with a two-run single in the eighth. “He busted the third changeup he saw over the center field fence, and he busted the (defensive) shift for two RBIs that turned out to be the two we needed. “Cody will give you eveything he has and, it’s enough for me. Good player.” Felix Doubront (4-1) won his third consecutive start after allowing two runs on six hits over 5 2/3 innings. Alfredo Aceves picked up his eighth save after getting the final four outs. The Rays lost for the first time in five games and for only the fourth this year at home. They made it interesting in the eighth, though, pulling to 5-3 on B.J. Upton’s RBI single and getting two runners in scoring position before Aceves got Luke Scott to ground out to end the threat. Matt Moore (1-4), the Rays’ touted 22-year-old rookie, struggled in the early innings before settling in. He retired the side in his final three frames before leaving after six innings with his team trailing 3-2. “If you consider how I dug a hole for us early in the game, it was OK,” Moore said. “I feel like some adjustments were made (in which) I just started attacking more, especially (with) two guys we were maybe nibbling at earlier.” Balls-and-strikes calls were an issue for the Red Sox for a second consecutive night. Adrian Gonzalez complained after Boston’s 2-1 loss Wednesday that it was hard to have “a professional at-bat” with the umpiring, and on Thursday, shortstop and leadoff man Mike Aviles received his first career ejection in the seventh inning for arguing a two-out, third-strike call by Dan Bellino. Valentine didn’t back off after the game. “We can’t fight the umpire and the other team, but we’re a highly competitive team, and you like to be given a chance,” he said. “Other guys had complaints tonight, and I was with them.” Righty reliever Burke Badenhop struck out the side in that seventh inning, also getting Byrd and Kelly Shoppach. The Rays scored single runs in the third and fourth against Doubront after Boston took a 3-0 lead and threatened again in the sixth, when Ben Zobrist singled with two out and Upton doubled to put runners at first and third. Lefty Rich Hill came on and got Scott to fly out to left. The Red Sox loaded the bases and scored one run in the first against Moore, who has struggled with his location and high pitch counts. Aviles and David Ortiz singled, and Gonzalez, who had predicted to the Boston media he would hit a home run Thursday night, took a first-pitch fastball to the hip area. Valentine didn’t think the pitch was intentional. “If it was, it was the stupidest thing I’ve ever seen in baseball,” he said. “But it might have been. I doubt it. If it was (that kind of ) stupidity, maybe the game has passed me by.” After Moore struck out Will Middlebrooks for the second out, Ross took a close 2-2 pitch off the outside corner for a ball, fouled off a couple of pitches, and drew an RBI walk. By the time Moore struck out Daniel Nava for the third out, he’d thrown 33 pitches. Byrd led off with a home run in the second, and Ross’ two-out solo home run in the third put Boston ahead 3-0. Byrd, acquired from the Chicago Cubs last month, homered for the first time for his new team. The Rays punched back with one run each in the third and the fourth innings. Jeff Keppinger’s line-drive single to left scored Upton after a two-out rally began with a catcher’s interference call against Shoppach. Then, in the fourth, Rich Thompson’s two-out single up the middle scored Sean Rodriguez to pull the Rays to 3-2. Thompson was making his first major league start, at age 33 and a day after the Rays acquired him from the Phillies. His only previous major league at-bat had come in 2004 for Kansas City, when he hit into a double play against catcher Tim Laker, who was pitching in a mop-up role. Thompson wasn’t done, either. He followed his RBI single by stealing second and third base before the Rays left the bases loaded when Scott hit a hard line drive to first baseman Gonzalez. NOTES: Rays infielder Will Rhymes (bruised right forearm) was not in the starting lineup after getting hit by a pitch and passing out at first base Wednesday night, but he said he could take the field as soon as Friday. He said watching a replay of the incident was “kind of tough” and that he hadn’t realized “I was out like that.” … Red Sox third baseman Kevin Youkilis (lower back strain), who began a minor league rehab assignment with Triple-A Pawtucket on Wednesday, will play his second game Friday (and first in the field). Right-handed pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka (right elbow surgery) made his fifth minor league rehab start for Pawtucket. … The Rays are intrigued by newly acquired Thompson’s 442 minor league stolen bases, including an International League-leading 48 last year. “He’s been able to maintain his speed over time, and that’s a big part of why he’s still attractive,” Tampa Bay manager Joe Maddon said. … Ortiz will likely play at least one game at first base in the weekend interleague series at Philadelphia, Valentine said. Gonzalez would move to right field. … Rays third baseman Evan Longoria (partial hamstring tear) worked on his hand-eye coordination before the game by taking grounders from his knees. … The Rays still haven’t announced who’ll pitch for injured Jeff Niemann on Saturday against Atlanta, but it will likely be Alex Cobb or Chris Archer from Triple-A Durham.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) Cody Ross helped the Boston Red Sox rebound from a frustrating loss.

Ross homered and drove in four runs, Felix Doubront won his third consecutive start and the Red Sox beat the Tampa Bay Rays 5-3 on Thursday night.

”I was going after this game tonight,” Boston manager Bobby Valentine said. ”The guys really wanted this game, and I was just going to do everything we could to win it. Just frustration (from Wednesday’s loss), and we wanted to get back into the winning ways.”

The Red Sox were beaten 2-1 on Wednesday. The Rays’ go-ahead run scored when Ross, in right field, had problems with the Tropicana Field roof and had to backpedal to catch Luke Scott’s shallow sacrifice fly.

Ross extended Boston’s lead to 5-2 Thursday on a two-run single off reliever Wade Davis with two outs in the eighth.

”Cody was big,” Valentine said. ”Cody will give you everything he has, and it’s enough for me.”

Doubront (4-1) allowed two runs and six hits over 5 2-3 innings. The left-hander was hit on the ear by a ball during batting practice Tuesday and cleared one day later to make his scheduled start.

Matt Moore (1-4) gave up three runs and five hits in six innings for Tampa Bay, which had its four-game winning streak snapped.

”I thought he finished really strong,” Tampa Bay manager Joe Maddon said. ”That’s definitely a game to build off. He definitely pitched well enough to win. Confidence is a big thing. I know he’s going to sleep better. Despite the loss, he’s going to feel better about himself. That’s just a right step in the right direction.”

Moore retired his last 10 batters. He struck out eight and walked one.

Alfredo Aceves, the fifth Boston reliever, got four outs for his eighth save. He allowed B.J Upton’s RBI single with two outs in the eighth.

After falling behind in the count 0-2, Ross worked a bases-loaded walk off Moore to put the Red Sox up 1-0 in the first. Moore avoided further damage by striking out Daniel Nava to end the inning.

Boston went ahead 2-0 on Marlon Byrd’s second-inning homer. Ross made it 3-0 with his seventh homer, on an 0-2 pitch with two outs in the third.

Jeff Keppinger got the Rays within 3-1 on an RBI single in the third. Upton reached base with two outs when Kelly Shoppach was charged with catcher’s interference and went to second when Luke Scott was hit by a pitch.

Rich Thompson, who has played in 1,388 minor league games, cut the Tampa Bay deficit to 3-2 with his first big league hit, a run-scoring single in the fourth. Thompson, acquired in a trade with Philadelphia on Wednesday, also stole second and third after his hit.

The Rays loaded the bases later in the fourth with two outs, but Scott hit a hard liner that was caught by first baseman Adrian Gonzalez.

”We always have pretty good series against the Rays,” Boston shortstop Mike Aviles said. ”The fact they won (Wednesday) in a close game, and another close game today, it’s definitely good to get that win. Bobby did the right thing mixing and matching later in the game.”

Aviles was ejected in the seventh by plate umpire Dan Bellino for arguing after striking out. It was his first career ejection.

”Guys had complaints tonight and I was with them,” Valentine said. ”We’ve got to fight through it, that’s for sure. We’re trying our hardest, and I think they’re trying their hardest, too.”

Tampa Bay second baseman Will Rhymes was not in the lineup a night after being hit by a pitch in the right arm, fainting after walking to first base and having to be driven off the field on a cart. Maddon said Rhymes, who is day to day with a bruised right forearm, was feeling better and wanted to take batting practice but the team trainer wouldn’t allow it.

NOTES: Tampa Bay senior adviser Don Zimmer returned to Tropicana Field for a game for the first time since the opening weekend of the season against the New York Yankees. The 81-year-old ex-Red Sox and Cubs manager has been undergoing dialysis for kidney problems. … Valentine said DH David Ortiz will play first base and Gonzalez will move to right field for at least one game of this weekend’s interleague series at Philadelphia. … Tampa Bay 3B Evan Longoria (partial tear left hamstring) took grounders and continues taking batting practice.

ST. PETERSBURG — A night after their five-game winning streak was stopped, the Boston Red Sox regained their mid-May momentum, beating the Tampa Bay Rays 5-3 at Tropicana Field on Thursday. Cody Ross had a bases-loaded walk, solo home run and two-run single, and Marlon Byrd hit his first home run for Boston, helping the Red Sox gain a split in the two-game series. Felix Doubront (4-1) won his third consecutive start, allowing two runs on six hits over 5 2/3 innings. The Rays lost for the first time in five games and only the fourth this year at home. They made it interesting in the eighth, pulling to 5-3 on B.J. Upton’s RBI single and getting two runners in scoring position before Alfredo Aceves got Luke Scott to ground out to end the threat. Matt Moore (1-4), the Rays‘ touted 22-year-old rookie, struggled in the early innings before settling in. He retired the side in his final three frames before leaving after six innings with his team trailing 3-2. Balls-and-strikes calls were an issue for the Red Sox for a second consecutive night. Adrian Gonzalez complained after Boston’s 2-1 loss Wednesday that it was hard to have “a professional at-bat” with the umpiring, and Thursday, shortstop and leadoff man Mike Aviles received his first career ejection in the seventh inning for arguing a two-out, third strike call by Dan Bellino. Righty reliever Burke Badenhop struck out the side in that frame, also getting Byrd and Kelly Shoppach. The Rays scored single runs in the third and fourth against Doubront after Boston took a 3-0 lead and threatened again in the sixth, when Ben Zobrist singled with two out and Upton doubled to put runners at first and third. Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine took the ball from Doubront, and lefty Rich Hill came on and got Scott to fly out to left. Ross’s two-run single off Wade Davis in the eighth broke the game open. The Red Sox loaded the bases and scored one run in the first against Moore, the touted rookie who has struggled with his location and high pitch counts. Aviles and David Ortiz singled, and Gonzalez, who had predicted to the Boston media he would hit a home run Thursday night, took a first-pitch fastball to the hip area. After Moore struck out Will Middlebrooks for the second out, Ross took a close 2-2 pitch off the outside corner for a ball, fouled off a couple of pitches, and drew an RBI walk. By the time Moore struck out Daniel Nave for the third out, he’d thrown 33 pitches. Byrd’s led off with a home run in the second and Ross’ two-out solo home run in the third put Boston ahead 3-0. Byrd, acquired from the Chicago Cubs last month, homered for the first time for his new team. Ross, who had homers in back-to-back games against Tampa Bay in April, hit his seventh of the year. The Rays punched back with one run each in the third and the fourth innings. Jeff Keppinger’s line-drive single to left scored B.J. Upton after a two-out rally began with a catcher’s interference call against Shoppach. Then, in the fourth, Rich Thompson’s two-out single up the middle scored Sean Rodriguez to pull the Rays to 3-2. Thompson was making his first major league start, at age 33 and a day after the Rays acquired him from the Phillies. His only previous major league at-bat had come in 2004 for Kansas City, when he hit into a double play against catcher Tim Laker, who was pitching in a mop-up role. Thompson wasn’t done, either. He followed his RBI single by stealing second and third base before the Rays left the bases loaded when Scott hit a hard line drive to first baseman Gonzalez. NOTES: Rays infielder Will Rhymes (bruised right forearm) was not in the starting lineup after getting hit by a pitch and passing out at first base Wednesday night, but he said he could take the field as soon as Friday. He said watching a replay of the incident was “kind of tough” and that he hadn’t realized “I was out like that.” … Red Sox third baseman Kevin Youkilis (lower back strain), who began a minor league rehab assignment with Triple-A Pawtucket on Wednesday, will play his second game Friday (and first in the field). Right-handed pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka (right elbow surgery) made his fifth minor league rehab start for Pawtucket. … The Rays are intrigued by newly acquired Thompson’s 442 minor league stolen bases, including an International League-leading 48 last year. “He’s been able to maintain his speed over time, and that’s a big part of why he’s still attractive,” Tampa Bay manager Joe Maddon said. … Ortiz will likely play at least one game at first base in the weekend interleague series at Philadelphia, manager Bobby Valentine said. Gonzalez would move to right field. … Rays third baseman Evan Longoria (partial hamstring tear) worked on his hand-eye coordination before the game by taking grounders from his knees. … The Rays still haven’t announced who’ll pitch for injured Jeff Niemann on Saturday against Atlanta, but it will likely be Alex Cobb or Chris Archer from Triple-A Durham.

BOSTON — Josh Beckett turned the boos to cheers one start after he was loudly jeered by throwing seven shutout innings to lift the Boston Red Sox to a 5-0 win over the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday. It was Boston’s fifth straight victory. All the wins have come at Fenway, the longest streak since the Red Sox won nine straight last July. David Ortiz hit a solo homer and Mike Aviles had two RBI doubles for the Red Sox. Beckett had given up seven runs in just 2 1/3 innings in a loss to Cleveland last Thursday. It came after he admitted to going golfing when his previous start was scratched as a precaution because he told the club he had a sore lat muscle. But on Tuesday he was in complete command against the offensively challenged Mariners. Beckett (3-4), who turned 32 years old on Tuesday, gave up four singles, walked two and and fanned nine. His strikeouts moved him into sixth place ahead of Bruce Hurst on the club’s all-time list. Rich Hill and Alfredo Aceves each worked a scoreless inning for Boston to complete the combined four-hit shutout. The Mariners, who completed the second stop of a four-city, 10-game road trip, have lost five of seven. Ichiro Suzuki had two singles and a pair of nice sliding catches for Seattle, which entered the day with the AL’s second-worst batting average at .235. Mariners starter Blake Beavan (2-3) allowed three runs on five hits in four innings. Beckett breezed through the first three perfect innings, striking out six and throwing just 37 pitches. He worked out of trouble in the fourth and sixth after the Mariners got a pair of runners on in each inning. Ortiz’s eighth homer of the season — a drive into the Red Sox bullpen — made it 1-0 in the third. Boston added a pair of runs in the fourth. Aviles’ RBI double came after Cody Ross walked and went to third on Daniel Nava’s single. Nava then scored on Ryan Sweeney’s grounder to second. Will Middlebrooks’ RBI single made it 4-0 in the fifth against Charlie Furbush. Ortiz led off with a perfectly placed bunt single down the third-base line against the shift, advanced when Justin Smoak’s throw took shortstop Munenori Kawasaki off the bag on Adrian Gonzalez’s easy double-play ball. The lumbering Ortiz advanced on a wild pitch before Middlebrooks singled off the base of the Green Monster. Aviles’ second double made it 5-0 in the eighth. Notes: Mariners 1B Justin Smoak’s early-season struggles may be slowly coming to an end. He was 8 for his last 16 coming into Tuesday’s game, raising his average 41 points to .214. “I’m encouraged by what we’re seeing with him, because what we’re seeing is real, with his approach and mindset,” manager Eric Wedge said before the game. But he went hitless in four at-bats. … The Red Sox honored recently retired RHP Tim Wakefield with a 25-minute on-field ceremony before the game. They also cut his No. 49 into the center-field grass. The knuckleballer played 19 seasons in the majors, 17 with the Red Sox. He was the longest serving member with Boston and retired with the second-most wins club history with 186, behind only Roger Clemens and Cy Young, who each collected 192. … It was Beckett’s second career start on his birthday. The other was a win over Baltimore on May 15, 2006 when he allowed one run in seven innings.

Updated May 15, 2012 4:16 AM ET

One can argue Josh Beckett has been at times disconnected from the rabid Boston Red Sox fan base given his responses to closely scrutinized actions.

There is no debate, however, that his last start was very disappointing.

The embattled right-hander – who steered clear of controversy between starts this time out – looks to avoid losing a third consecutive outing Tuesday night when the Red Sox wrap up their two-game series with the Seattle Mariners.

Beckett (2-4, 5.97 ERA) caused a mini-maelstrom in Massachusetts on Thursday when he allowed as many runs and hits as outs recorded – seven – in an 8-3 defeat to Cleveland. While one bad outing may incur the wrath of some fans in Boston, the pile-on came because Beckett opted to play golf one day after he was scratched from his prior scheduled start due to a sore lat muscle in his back.

Generally prickly when it comes to dealing with the media, Beckett made no apologies for his round of golf with teammate Clay Buchholz, saying, “We get 18 off-days a year. I think we deserve a little bit of time to ourselves,” but did note later he deserved the booing he got upon leaving his shortest outing in nearly four years.

However, facing the Mariners (16-21) has proven to be a cure-all most times for Beckett, who is 6-2 with a 3.39 ERA against them. He has been dominant versus Seattle at Fenway Park, winning all four of his starts while posting a 1.98 ERA and striking out 27 in 27 1-3 innings.

Beckett has not lost three straight outings since July 19-30, 2008.

The Red Sox (16-19) are hoping Beckett can bounce back while adding to their best run at Fenway this season. They won their fourth straight there with Monday’s 6-1 victory as Daniel Nava and Kelly Shoppach hit fourth-inning homers to break open the game and back Jon Lester’s eight-hitter.

“We’re trying to build a foundation of confidence in our team,” manager Bobby Valentine said.

Seattle has dropped nine of 10 on the road and 11 of 16 overall. During that 10-game road slump, the Mariners are averaging 2.3 runs and batting .229. While Ichiro Suzuki is hitting .333 (14 for 42) in that span, he only has one RBI, and that has manager Eric Wedge looking for more from his veteran outfielder.

“I’m hoping we can get a little more production out of the 3-spot, out of Ichiro, driving in runs,” he said. “He’s the one veteran we’ve got in the lineup and he has to produce for us.”

Suzuki has had middling success versus Beckett, going 7 for 30 with a homer and eight strikeouts.

Seattle scheduled starter Blake Beavan (1-3, 4.32) was given an extra two days to recover after being hit on the right arm by a line drive in his May 7 start against Detroit that knocked him out of the game after three innings.

The 22-year-old right-hander hasn’t gotten much support in his six starts – a total of 10 runs, nine of which have come in two outings – but Beavan also had allowed at least three runs in his prior four starts before facing the Tigers.

The Red Sox hit Beavan hard in dealing him two losses last year, totaling nine runs and 20 hits in 13 innings. David Ortiz is 3 for 7 with a homer and a double, Adrian Gonzalez is 3 for 6 with two doubles and Dustin Pedroia has a pair of two-base hits in six at-bats versus Beavan.

Despite struggling for most of the season, the Boston Red Sox still have some quality fantasy players particularly on the offensive side.

The Red Sox — 16-19 on the season — have been explosive at the plate in 2012. Offensively, Boston has scored the third most runs in the majors with 188 and has the third best batting average (.276). The Red Sox also are sixth on-base percentage (.338) and fourth in slugging percentage (.457).

While Boston’s offense has thrived their pitching has struggled. Through the first 34 games, the Red Sox pitching staff has compiled a 5.00 ERA (28^th), posted 16 quality starts (23^rd), recorded a 1.45 WHIP (27^th) and a .270 batting average against (26^th). Boston’s bullpen has also blown 5 of their 14 save opportunities.

This article will look at the five Red Sox players that fantasy baseball owners should have on their team.

David Ortiz – 1B/DH

Big Papi — on pace to have his best season since 2007 — is hitting .346 with 7 homers, 25 runs scored and 25 RBIs. Ortiz also has a .408 on-base percentage and a .610 slugging percentage. Big Papi — drawn 15 walks and struck out 20 times — also leads the Sox with 31.4 runs created.

Ortiz’s numbers rank him in the top-10 in the AL in batting average (third), homers (10th), RBI (fifth), runs (seventh) slugging (second) and OPS (second).

Ryan Sweeney – OF

The 27-year old Sweeney — is only owned in 16.7% of fantasy — has to be one of the biggest surprises through the first month and half of the season. Sweeney has been one of the Red Sox’s most consistent hitters this season having produced a .333 batting average (fourth in the majors), a .364 on-base percentage and a .468 slugging percentage. Sweeney has also tallied 10 runs, drove in 11 RBIs and collected 14 extra base hits though he has yet to hit a home run. In addition, Sweeney has created 18.6 runs (fourth most on the squad).

While Sweeney would help your fantasy baseball team in batting average and slugging percentage, he is not a power guy (14 homers in 501 career games) or a speed demon (17 career stolen bases). Sweeney also doesn’t hit left-handers very well (2-for-15) as well as strikeouts a considerable amount of time (23).

Dustin Pedroia- 2B

Pedroia — one of the top fantasy middle infielders — is on pace to produce his best season since 2008.

Pedroia is currently hitting a robust .313 to go along with 5 homers, 2 6runs and 18 RBIs. Pedroia also has a .378 on-base percentage, a .517 slugging percentage and 3 stolen bases in 5 attempts. In addition, Pedroia has 18 extra-base hits and has created 28.1 runs.

Pedroia — is on-pace to produce career highs in slugging percentage and home runs — ranks in the top-10 of the AL in a few categories. Pedroia is sixth in the AL in batting average, fourth in runs and 10^th in OPS.

Will Middlebrooks – 3B

I hesitate to list the 23-year old rookie because Red Sox’s general manager Ben Cherington has said that Kevin Youkalis will retain his starting third base job when he returns from the disabled list (back). Middlebrooks has put up numbers hard to ignore so even if he is demoted (when Youkalis returns), Middlebrooks is someone to consider when he is recalled as for well as future seasons.

In 11 major league games, Middlebrooks has collected hits in nine of them including four multi-hit games. For the season, Middlebrooks is batting .304, has a .347 on-base percentage and a .674 slugging percentage. Middlebrooks also has nine extra-base hits including 4 homers and 13 RBIs.

If there is something to be cautious about, it would be that Middlebrooks strikes out alot. Middlebrooks has struck out 13 times and has just drawn 3 walks.

Felix Doubrant – LHP

While the Red Sox’s starting rotation has struggled throughout the season, the 24-year old Doubrant has been a bright spot.

Doubrant — currently owned in just 2.7% of fantasy baseball leagues — has been inconsistent though he pitched well in his last start on May 12 against Cleveland. In the game against the Indians, Doubrant allowed three hits and one earned run in six innings. Doubrant – picked up the win – also struck out five and walked just two.

While his start against Cleveland was impressive, it was just the second time in his last five starts that Doubrant has allowed less than three earned runs. Overall, Doubrant has allowed three or more runs in four f is starts and his longest start of the season has been just 6.1 innings.

The good news is that Doubrant has three victories (tied for second on the team), has four quality starts (tied for team lead) and has recorded 37 strikeouts (leads the team). Doubrant – averages a strikeout an inning – has struck out at least six hitters in four games.

Daniel Benjamin has played fantasy baseball for three years.

The Boston Red Sox are finally in the win column at Fenway Park in May.

Posting consecutive victories could be another matter.

The Red Sox go for their first back-to-back wins this month and their first consecutive triumphs at home since mid-April when they play the third of four games against the Cleveland Indians on Saturday night.

Boston (13-19) had dropped three straight overall and all six of its home games in May before breaking through to beat AL Central-leading Cleveland (18-14) 7-5 on Friday night. Dustin Pedroia had three hits and three RBIs, and Will Middlebrooks hit a two-run double to back 6 1-3 innings of work from Clay Buchholz, who allowed four runs but earned the win by giving the Red Sox only their third quality start of the month.

“It’s obviously been tough for us, but it’s good to get back in the win column and get something going,” outfielder Cody Ross said. “There is a sense of urgency to play like we’re capable of.”

Boston’s last win and last quality start prior to Friday both came from Felix Doubront (2-1, 5.01 ERA), who will get the ball Saturday attempting to lead the Red Sox to their first back-to-back victories since a six-game streak April 23-28. All of that streak occurred away from Fenway, where they haven’t posted consecutive wins since taking their first three home games of the season against Tampa Bay from April 13-15.

Despite having the least major league experience of the pitchers in Boston’s rotation, Doubront has been possibly the most consistent of the bunch, allowing three earned runs or fewer in four of his six outings. The 24-year-old left-hander, who has never faced the Indians, gave up five runs – three earned – in 6 1-3 innings of Monday’s 11-5 victory at Kansas City.

Doubront will be opposed by Josh Tomlin (1-2, 4.67), who has limited opponents to five runs in 13 1-3 innings over his last two outings. The right-hander gave up two runs and five hits in 7 1-3 innings Monday while striking out a career-high eight, but failed to get a decision in Cleveland’s 3-2 victory over the Chicago White Sox.

Tomlin is 1-1 with a 4.50 ERA in three career starts versus the Red Sox.

Boston designated hitter David Ortiz, who left Friday’s game with a sore left heel, may not be in any hurry to get back into the lineup Saturday. He’s 0 for 8 with a strikeout against Tomlin. Catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia, meanwhile, is 3 for 4 with a homer and a double.

Cleveland has dropped three of four following a 6-1 stretch and is trying to avoid its first back-to-back losses of the season on the road, where it is a major league-best 10-4.

The Indians are 4-7 when facing a left-handed starter, compared with a 14-7 mark against righties.