ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Clay Buchholz allowed three hits over five innings in his first start since early June and the AL East-leading Boston Red Sox beat the Tampa Bay Rays 2-0 on Tuesday night. Buchholz (10-0), sidelined by a strained neck, hadnt pitched in the majors since beating the Los Angeles Angels on June 8. The right-hander, who made three rehab starts in the minors, struck out Jose Molina with two on to end the second. Jonny Gomes and Jarrod Saltalamacchia both drove in a run for the Red Sox, who extended their lead over second-place Tampa Bay to 8 1/2 games in the East. Craig Breslow, Junichi Tazawa and Koji Uehara finished a four-hitter. Uehara got the final four outs for his 19th save. Reigning AL Cy Young Award winner David Price (8-8) lost his third straight start despite giving up just two runs and three hits in eight innings. The left-hander struck out nine. The Rays, 4-12 since August 25, are leading the race for the second AL wild-card spot. Price retired 12 in a row before Mike Napoli doubled off the centre field fence to open the fifth. Gomes followed with a single that drove in Napoli to put the Red Sox up 1-0. Gomes, who has 15 RBIs over his last 17 games, scored to make it 2-0 later in the fifth on a sacrifice fly by Saltalamacchia that required a leaping catch near the wall by centre fielder Desmond Jennings. Saltalamacchia threw out a runner attempting to steal second in both the third and fourth innings. Uehara replaced Tazawa after Yunel Escobar hit a two-out double in the eighth. The Red Sox closer ended the threat by getting a foul popup from Wil Myers. The right-hander has retired the last 31 batters he has faced. NOTES: The announced crowd was 18,605. Tampa Bay started the day with the majors lowest home attendance average at 18,719. ... Boston 2B Dustin Pedroia hit leadoff for the first time this season and singled in four at-bats. Manager John Farrell didnt rule out Pedroia staying in the role until OF Jacoby Ellsbury returns from a foot injury. ... Ellsbury missed his fourth consecutive game and will not resume baseball activites for at least the next few days. ... Tampa Bay reliever Jesse Crain (strained right shoulder) had his second bullpen session and could throw batting practice within the next week. ...The Red Sox reinstated Buchholz from the 60-day disabled list and designated RHP Jose De La Torre for assignment. Andrelton Simmons Angels Jersey . Geovany Soto had an RBI for the Cubs. Carlos Silva gave up one run on three hits over six innings to pick up the win. Josh Willingham drove in the lone run for the Nationals, who had just four hits. Mike Witt Angels Jersey . Viewers in the Canadiens region can watch the game on TSN Habs at 7:30pm et/8:30pm at. https://www.cheapangels.com/2143j-whitey...sey-angels.html. -- C.J. Wilson parked his car and laughed while signing autographs for faceless fans who handed bats, balls and cards to the pitcher from the other side of a brick wall. Eddie Murray Jersey . -- Kael Mouillierat scored three times and set up one more as the St. Jerry Coleman Jersey .Y. - Major League Soccer is prepared to start its season this weekend even if there isnt a labour deal with its referees and other on-field officials.Cincinnati, OH (Sports Network) - The Cincinnati Bengals have brought back Chris Crocker. The veteran safety was a starter for the Bengals from 2008-2012. He totaled 41 tackles and three interceptions while starting all but four of the 13 games he played last season. Crocker, 33, has registered 517 tackles, 13 sacks and 13 interceptions in 139 career games with Cleveland, Atlanta, Miami and Cincinnati.dddddddddddd The Browns selected the Marshall product in the third round of the 2003 NFL Draft. The Bengals terminated the contract of offensive tackle Dennis Roland to clear a roster spot for Crocker. ' ' '