MLB: Boston 3, Tampa Bay 0

BOSTON, Sept. 8 (UPI) -- Jason Bay homered Monday when the Boston Red scored all their runs in the first inning of a 3-0 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays.

Jon Lester had nine strikeouts over 7 2/3 shutout innings as the Red Sox moved to just a half game behind the AL East-leading Rays.

David Ortiz had an RBI double and Kevin Youkilis an RBI single for Boston, which has won eight of its last 10 games.

Lester (14-5) gave up six hits and three walks before being removed in favor of Jonathan Papelbon, who escaped a jam in the eighth by striking out Rocco Baldelli to end the inning, leaving runners on second and third. Papelbon had three strikeouts to record his 36th save of the year.

The Red Sox broke the Major League Baseball record for consecutive sellouts by filling Fenway Park for the 456th straight time. The Cleveland Indians sold out 455 straight games from June 12, 1995, through April 2, 2001.