ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Evan Longoria's three-run home run in the eighth inning broke a 5-5 tie and propelled the Tampa Bay Rays to an 8-5 win over the Red Sox, Wednesday night at Tropicana Field. The Red Sox had comeback to deadlock the game in the top of the eighth when pinch-runner Joey Gathright scored on a J.P. Howell wild pitch. Josh Beckett had his fourth straight rough outing, giving up five runs on seven hits over five innings, although he did strikeout nine and not walk a batter. The Rays rallied in the eighth after the Gathright run, with reliever Ramon Ramirez giving up a leadoff double to Carlos Pena and subsequent single to Pat Burrell before Longoria launched his 26th homer of the season.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. --  Speaking to reporters prior the Red Sox' game with the Rays Wednesday afternoon, Red Sox pitcher Tim Wakefield said that the execution of a scheduled side session Thursday will determine quite a bit in regard to whether or not he will be able to contribute at any point this season. Wakefield said his back had been feeling better since receiving a cortisone shot Monday and is improving each day. "It's a matter of testing it out," said Wakefield, who played catch from 120 feet at Tropicana Field, Wednesday. "It's time to push the envelope. We're running out of time. Push it as hard as I can go and see what happens." Wakefield said that the pain in his  back has subsided after receiving the shot, but the nerve issues with his calf remain a problem. Wakefield told the Providence Journal that if Thursday's side session doesn't go well than he...