After relying on solid pitching and defense to post its first nine victories, Boston bats start to come alive in a victory over the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.

01:00 AM EDT on Wednesday, April 19, 2006

BY CAROLYN THORNTON
Journal Sports Writer

BOSTON -- After relying heavily on solid pitching and defensive efforts to pull out more than their share of close victories over the first couple of weeks of the season, the Boston Red Sox are finally getting better offensive support.

For the second game in a row, the Sox' bats came alive at all the right times last night, as Boston handed the Tampa Bay Devil Rays a 7-4 loss in the opening game of this three-game set at chilly Fenway Park.

There were key hits by a number of players, but none more clutch than the game-winning, two-run double by Kevin Youkilis.

But perhaps the most promising aspect of Boston's production at the plate was the fact that Manny is finally hitting more like Manny.

Mired in a slump without a home run to his credit in this young season, Manny Ramirez went 2-for-4 with a double and three RBI in helping Boston improve its American League-leading record to 10-4.

"He's feeling better and better, and he's working himself into feeling good," said Sox manager Terry Francona of Ramirez. "When he starts driving the ball into right field like he can, that's when you start to see his production come in bunches. He's taking more and more good swings."

Ramirez entered last night's contest having gone 13 straight games without an extra base hit -- the longest such streak of the Red Sox slugger's career.

Although he recorded his first multi-hit game since April 8 with a 2-for-4 performance in Boston's 7-6 win over Seattle on Monday, both of those hits were singles, albeit both were off the left-field wall.

Ramirez's lack of big production at the plate wasn't for a lack of trying, Francona stressed before last night's game.

"He's been so diligent," Francona said. "He's working in the outfield, working in the cage. He's done a great job. He just hasn't warmed up yet, I think. Hopefully, from here on out he'll be the guy we've come to expect every day. He hasn't shortchanged us on any effort, though, he's been tremendous."

After flying out to center field in the second inning, Ramirez's "diligence" finally paid off in the third.

David Ortiz started things off, doubling off the left-field wall, despite Tampa Bay's best efforts to throw off the Sox slugger with an unorthodox defensive shift that essentially created four outfielders by pushing third baseman Ty Wigginton out into deep left.

Ramirez then stepped to the plate and smacked a two-out, RBI double past diving Devil Rays left fielder Carl Crawford.

After scattering six singles over the first six innings, Sox starter Matt Clement was tagged for a leadoff homer into the left-field light stansion by Ty Wigginton.

He then gave up back-to-back doubles to Toby Hall and Tomas Perez, with Hall scoring on Perez's hit to right to give Tampa Bay a 2-1 lead.

Boston was back on top before the end of inning, though.

Wily Mo Pena led off with another walk, advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Alex Gonzalez, then scored on a fielder's choice by Mark Loretta. (Loretta was not credited with a hit on his well-struck liner to right because Youkilis was forced out at second.)

Still facing a defensive shift, although not as dramatic as in his earlier at-bats, the left-handed hitting Ortiz went to the opposite field for his second double.

Ramirez worked a full count against Devil Rays' reliever Shawn Camp, then hit a shot to right that tipped off right-fielder Russell Branyan's outstretched glove, allowing Loretta and Ortiz to score.

The Sox' new lead was short-lived, however. Taking the mound after Clement walked Travis Lee to start the eighth, Boston reliever Mike Timlin immediately surrendered a double to Jonny Gomes and a two-run double down the right-field line to Branyan.

But a two-run double off the wall by Youkilis, which was followed by an RBI single by Loretta, put Boston on top for good.

"It was a fastball up," Youkilis said of his game-winning hit. "I tried not to do too much, just trying to get a base hit. But I was able to square that ball up. I got good wood on it. Fortunately it didn't go right at somebody.

"We're trying to hit our way out of jams now," said Youkilis, whose hit was followed up by Jonathan Papelbon's seventh straight save performance. "Timlin was really upset (about giving up the two runs) so it's nice to be able to help him out and help the team also. It's all about winning as a team."

cthorn@projo.com / (401) 277-7340