Devil Rays Aren’t Pushovers After All

These were supposed to be the games that put the Boston Red Sox into the postseason.

They had the lead in the American League wild-card race and seven games left against the last-place Tampa Bay Devil Rays. None of Boston’s last 14 games is against a team with a winning record, and Seattle still has six to play against the West-leading Oakland Athletics.

But it’s turning out to be harder than expected for the Red Sox, as Victor Zambrano and Lance Carter shut them out on six hits Wednesday night to lead Tampa Bay to a 7-0 victory at Boston and shrink the Red Sox lead in the wild-card race.

“You definitely want to beat teams like the Devil Rays,” Red Sox second baseman Todd Walker said.

“But it’s major league baseball. We’re not playing church softball. You can’t hang up four wins in a row just because you’re playing the Devil Rays.”

The loss, coupled with Seattle’s win, cut the Red Sox’s wild-card lead to 1 1/2 games.

Seattle 5, Texas 1 -- Jamie Moyer pitched eight strong innings and Carlos Guillen hit a solo homer for the Mariners at Arlington, Texas.

Moyer (19-7) gave up one run, four hits and struck out five to become the fourth AL pitcher to win at least 19 games.

Cleveland 9, Kansas City 1 -- Jake Westbrook allowed four hits over six-plus innings, and Travis Hafner and Alex Escobar homered at Cleveland as the Indians ended Kansas City’s four-game winning streak.

The loss dealt a blow to the Royals’ playoff chances, as they fell 4 1/2 games behind Central-leading Minnesota.

Baltimore 5, New York 3 -- Larry Bigbie and Jay Gibbons homered at Baltimore and the Orioles ruined David Wells’ bid for his 200th victory.

Wells (14-7) went the distance, giving up one hit over his final six innings. It was his second road loss of the season.

Toronto 6, Detroit 0 -- Roy Halladay threw a six-hitter at Detroit to tie a Toronto record with his 21st win.

Halladay (21-6) pitched his second shutout of the season, becoming the first 21-game winner in the majors. He tied the team record for wins in a season held by Roger Clemens (1997) and Jack Morris (1992).