(My Sportsbook) - The Tampa Bay Rays try to put some distance between themselves and the Boston Red Sox this evening, when the two American League East contenders wrap up a three-game series at Tropicana Field.

After losing the opener of this set on Monday, Tampa bounced back to go a game in front of the Red Sox in the division standings last night. Dioner Navarro slugged a bases-loaded hit in the bottom of the ninth, lifting the upstart Rays to a 2-1 win.

Justin Masterson (6-5) began the inning by allowing a single to Jason Bartlett and walking Carlos Pena. He then fanned Evan Longoria, but drilled Cliff Floyd to load the bases. Navarro followed by slamming a pitch deep to center over the drawn-in outfield to plate Bartlett with the winning run.

The hit made a winner of Dan Wheeler (5-5), who got the final out in the top of the ninth to earn the victory.

Pena homered for the Rays, who snapped a three-game skid.

Kevin Youkilis drove in the only run for the Red Sox, whose three-game win streak was halted. Boston still leads the AL Wild Card by seven games over the Minnesota Twins, who lost to Cleveland on Tuesday.

Both starters were stellar. Boston's Josh Beckett limited the Rays to three hits and one run with seven strikeouts over eight innings, while Andy Sonnanstine allowed three hits and a run while fanning five over six full frames for Tampa.

Hoping to bring Tampa Bay closer to its first-ever playoff appearance tonight will be right-hander Matt Garza, who is 11-9 with a 3.60 ERA. Garza, though, hasn't won in his last three starts and did not get a decision on Saturday against the New York Yankees. He gave up three runs and six hits in five innings of that one, a 6-5 Tampa loss.

Garza defeated Boston the last time he faced the team and is 3-1 lifetime against the Red Sox with a 3.54 ERA in five starts.

The Red Sox, meanwhile, will pin their hopes on Tampa killer Tim Wakefield, who is 19-4 in his career against the Rays with a 3.10 ERA in 40 games, 30 of which have been starts.

However, Wakefield lost to the Rays the last time he faced them back on July 1, despite surrendering just an earned run and five hits in seven frames.

Wakefield won his last start on Friday against Toronto, holding the Blue Jays to just three hits over eight scoreless innings to run his record to 9-10 on the year and lower his ERA to 3.92.

Tampa Bay has won nine of its 17 matchups between the division rivals this season, but has been dominant at home in this series. The Rays have won seven of the eight games contested at St. Petersburg.