The Red Sox made a bid to tie the game or go ahead in the eighth against the Rays’ bullpen. After singles by Ortiz and Youkilis — his third hit of the game — off J.P. Howell, Jason Bay doubled into the left-field corner to produce a two-out run, trimming Tampa Bay’s lead to 6-2. Howell then hit Mike Lowell with a pitch, loading the bases and bringing the tying run to the plate as Grant Balfour took over. Balfour fanned Jed Lowrie to end the threat.