BOSTON -- When their game against Boston was postponed Wednesday due to inclement weather, the Tampa Bay Rays made it clear they had no interest in playing a doubleheader Thursday. The Red Sox got their way. The Rays got the last laugh. Yunel Escobar homered off Boston closer Koji Uehara leading off the ninth inning to propel Tampa Bay to a 6-5 win and a day-night doubleheader sweep on Thursday night. The Rays won the opener 2-1. "I really believe that we had vociferously fought for just one game, for a lot of obvious reasons," said Tampa Bay manager Joe Maddon. "I mean, Im not going to hide from the reasons -- we have a lot of guys injured, we had a lot of very difficult games more recently, so we wanted one game and pick it up later when were at greater health. "It just did not work out that way, thus our players came out and made a statement today and I kind of enjoyed it." Escobar crushed the second pitch from Uehara (0-1) over the Green Monster in left field for his second homer of the year, and Grant Balfour recorded the final three outs for his second save of the day and sixth of the season. "Hes a very good relief pitcher and it was a very uncomfortable at-bat," Escobar said through a translator. "(I) got a splitter up and (I) just tried to get good wood on the ball and (I) was able to hit it out." Sean Rodriguez and Desmond Jennings also went deep for last-place Tampa Bay, which won for just the third time in nine games. "I didnt know we didnt want to play. No one asked me," Balfour said with a laugh. "Im pretty happy that we did." So is Maddon. "Im so proud of our guys, the way they handled the entire moment," he said. "Nobody complained about anything. Nothing -- and they just went out and played really good baseball for 18 innings. It was pretty astounding to watch the whole thing play out." The first game was just as wild, but for an entirely different reason. With Tampa Bay leading 2-1 in the seventh, Dustin Pedroia was called out on a close play at the plate, thrown out on a relay from Escobar at shortstop while attempting to score from first on Ortizs double high off the Monster. After a 1 minute, 52 second delay, it was announced the call "stands." Boston third base coach Brian Butterfield was ejected by first base umpire Toby Basner for slamming his helmet to the ground. "I just dont like the whole inconclusive deal," said Pedroia, who didnt think he was tagged before crossing the plate. "Replay, you should go check it out and youre either out or safe. I dont know what inconclusive means. Maybe that means someone doesnt want to make a decision." Pedroia may have beaten catcher Jose Molinas sweeping tag with a feet-first slide, but it was unclear if he touched the plate before the tag. Basner, rotating as the umpires moved on the play, made the call at the plate. "I thought not only did Dustin beat the throw, beat the tag, but felt like his left foot made some contact with home plate," Red Sox manager John Farrell said. "Our video internally showed that that was the case." The Rays then charged back from a 5-2 deficit in the nightcap. Rodriguezs two-run homer off Boston starter Felix Doubront in the sixth brought Tampa Bay within one, and Rodriguez tied it in the seventh off reliever Junichi Tazawa, doubling and scoring on James Loneys single. Uehara then uncharacteristically surrendered Escobars blast, just the fourth homer he has allowed at Fenway Park since joining Boston before last season. "It happens every year, April, May," Uehara said through a translator. "I think even last year I didnt pitch that well." NOTES: It was the first doubleheader for both teams since last year when the Red Sox swept the Rays in Fenway Park on June 18. ... The Rays open a three-game series against the New York Yankees on Friday. Tampa Bay LHP David Price (3-2, 4.75) will oppose New York LHP Vidal Nuno (0-0, 6.59). . Boston will host the Oakland Athletics for a three-game series beginning Friday, with Red Sox RHP Clay Buchholz (1-2, 6.66) facing Athletics RHP Dan Straily (1-1, 5.14). Fake Air Max 97 Uk . a€“ All signs point to the Maple Leafs having their top offseason acquisition in the lineup on opening night. Nike Air Max 270 Cheap Uk . - Ronda Rousey realizes shes finishing up one of the biggest years for any fighter in the young history of mixed martial arts at UFC 168, and the UFCs bantamweight champion intends to go out on top. http://www.fakeairmaxukoutlet.com/best-max-200-trainers-cheap-uk.html . The team announced the moves before Sundays game against Houston. Shaw was 1-4 with a 4.26 ERA in 43 games for the Diamondbacks. Bergesen was claimed off waivers from Baltimore on Friday. Air Max Wholesale Uk . -- Jake Paterson made 39 saves as the Saginaw Spirit halted the Guelph Storms seven-game win streak with a 6-3 victory on Sunday in Ontario Hockey League action. Air Max 90 Wholesale Cheap . "We were left with the overall impression that the team wasnt trending toward being able to compete for a Stanley Cup," Capitals owner Ted Leonsis said in a news conference at the clubs arena. "And that was just a clear signal and why it was time to make those changes.Nigel Pearson and David Moyes are the frontrunners to replace Remi Garde as Aston Villa manager, Sky Sports News HQ understands. David Bernstein, who joined the board in March, is understood to be heading up a three-man committee which will seek out a replacement for Garde, who left the club by mutual consent on Tuesday.Former manager Brian Little and Adrian Bevington - another new arrival at Villa this week in an advisory role - are the others involved. Who will be next Villa boss? David Moyes and Nigel Pearson head list of Aston Villa manager contenders Nigel Pearson is available after leaving Leicester last summer having saved them from relegation Pearson was sacked by Leicester in June 2015, despite a remarkable run of seven wins in their last nine games which retained their Premier League status.He has not managed since leaving the King Power Stadium, but former Villa midfielder Ian Taylor believes he may fit the bill due to his experience of Championship football.Taylor, who played for Villa from 1994 to 2003, said: He could be [the right man for the job]. I think hes got the experience of getting a team out of the Championship for sure. The right people have paid the price for Aston Villas poor form - according to their former striker, Ian Taylor Anyone who takes the job is going to have a big, big job. Theres going to have to be a big turnaround of players so there will be players coming and going.You need the right kind of players to play in the Championship. Ive played in that division myself and its relentless. Theres a lot of games and you need the right kind of characters to get out of there.Moyes has been without a managerial role since he left his position at Spanish side Real Sociedad in November. Former Aston Villa goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel is surprised by the timing of Remi Gardes departure The Scot spent more than 11 years at Everton and was chosen as Sir Alex Fergusons replacement as Manchester United manager in 2013, but lasted less than a year at Old Trafford.Moyes then made the surprise switch to La Liga but lasted one day short of a year and was dismissed following a ppoor start to this season having won just 12 of his 42 games in charge.dddddddddddd A look back at Remi Gardes short stay as Aston Villa manager, in numbers Garde left Villa after a poor run of results which saw him win only three times in 23 outings after replacing Tim Sherwood less than five months ago. Aston Villa fans ask for change at the club following the sacking of Remi Garde With Villa rooted to the bottom of the Premier League table, the committee is taking a realistic approach towards the fact a new man will probably not want to be associated with taking the team down to the Championship. Villa have lost their last five games, most recently when they were beaten 1-0 at Swansea An appointment is not expected immediately but an announcement is anticipated once the former European champions relegation into the Championship is mathematically confirmed. The right people have paid the price for Aston Villas poor form - according to their former striker, Ian Taylor In the meantime, Eric Black will remain in place as acting manager. Villa resume their league campaign at home to Chelsea on Saturday. Also See: Who will be next Villa boss? Gardes woeful record Villa stats Get a ￡10 free bet! ' ' '