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Red Sox lose to Rays after controversial call

Daniel Nava #29 and Brian Butterfield #13 of the Boston Red Sox plead their case after umpire Jerry Meals called Nava out at the plate against the Tampa Bay Rays in the 8th inning at Fenway Park on July 29, in Boston, Mass.  Nava's run would have tied the game.
Daniel Nava #29 and Brian Butterfield #13 of the Boston Red Sox plead their case after umpire Jerry Meals called Nava out at the plate against the Tampa Bay Rays in the 8th inning at Fenway Park on July 29, in Boston, Mass. Nava's run would have tied the game.Jim Rogash / Getty Images

By Jimmy Golen, AP sports writer

BOSTON — David Price allowed just two hits over 7 1/3 innings to beat the Boston Red Sox for the second time in six days, and Tampa Bay won 2-1 Monday night to retake first place in the AL East.

Price (6-5) was dominating the makeup game before it was delayed for 39 minutes because of a brief downpour that arrived as fans were singing "Sweet Caroline" and he was warming up for the bottom of the eighth. The Rays left-hander stayed in the game, but retired just one batter — after starting him out with three straight balls — before Joel Peralta relieved him.

Ryan Lavarnway doubled off the Green Monster, but pinch-runner Daniel Nava couldn't score when Stephen Drew's line drive went over right fielder Wil Myers' head for a double. Nava tagged on Brandon Snyder's fly ball to short left-center, but he was called out by home plate umpire Jerry Meals even though replays showed that Nava's leg got the plate before the tag. Read the full story.