Lester perfect for 6 IP as Red Sox beat Rays 5-1

FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) – Jon Lester was perfect. Boston’s entire pitching staff nearly was on the day. Lester retired 18 consecutive batters and combined with his bullpen to hold the Tampa Bay Rays without a baserunner until one out in the ninth, leading the Boston Red Sox to a 5-1 victory Sunday. Jason Bourgeois reached on an infield hit in the ninth against Marco Duarte, Boston’s fourth pitcher. Lester, Boston’s projected opening-day starter, struck out six and threw 53 of 79 pitches for strikes. He has allowed two runs, six hits and four walks over five starts and 20 innings, striking out 16. “Eighteen up, 18 down,” Red Sox manager John Farrell said.