Sox finally beat Rays in 16th inning, 1-0

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By Sean McAdam
CSNNE.com Red Sox InsiderFollow @sean_mcadam
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Long after Josh Beckett and Jeff Niemann matched zeros for eight innings, the Red Sox edged the Tampa Bay Rays 1-0 in 16 innings on Dustin Pedroia's two-out run-scoring single.

Josh Reddick started the 16th inning with a walk and was sacrificed to second by Jason Varitek. After an infield single by Marco Scutaro pushed Reddick to third, Pedroia lashed a line single to right.

Alfredo Aceves, who tossed three shutout innings, got the win while Jonathan Papelbon secured his 21st save.

The Sox stranded 17 baserunners compared to just six for Tampa. The Red Sox used six different pitchers while the Rays deployed nine.

Earlier, the Red Sox had had the bases loaded with no out in the top of the 11th inning, but failed to push a run across.

It wasn't until the top of the ninth inning that either team got a runner in scoring position. Dustin Pedroia led with a double to right-center. A one-out walk to Kevin Youkilis and a two-out pass to J.D. Drew loaded the bases for Josh Reddick who flied out to center.

The Sox also had two on and two out in the 10th but Adrian Gonzalez grounded out to second.

Beckett was every bit as brilliant as he was when he last pitched here, June 15, when he tossed a complete-game one-hit shutout.

He allowed a sharp single off his foot to Evan Longoria with two outs in the first, then retired the next 22 in a row. He did not issue a walk and struck out six. He was left with his seventh no-decision in 18 starts.

Niemann was just as as terrific, striking out 10 and allowing just two hits through the first eight.

Sean McAdam can be reached at smcadam@comcastsportsnet.com. Follow Sean on Twitter at http:twitter.comsean_mcadam.

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