Red Sox 2, Rays 0: Clay Buchholz outdueled David Price in a strong return to the rotation as visiting Boston extended its division lead over Tampa Bay.

Buchholz (10-0), who had not pitched since June 8 due to neck and shoulder issues, surrendered three hits and walked one while striking out six in five innings. Jonny Gomes singled in a run and scored for the Red Sox, who lead the Rays by 8 1/2 games in the American League East.

Price (8-8) was perfect through the first four innings before surrendering a leadoff double to Mike Napoli in the fifth. The left-hander ended up charged with two runs on three hits while striking out nine in eight innings as Tampa Bay fell for the 12th time in 16 games, but remained 1 1/2 games ahead of Cleveland and Baltimore for the second AL wild-card spot.

Gomes followed Napoli with a slow single up the middle and Rays center fielder Desmond Jennings sailed the throw long and wide, allowing Napoli to score easily. Gomes moved up on the throw and again on a sacrifice bunt before scoring on Jarrod Saltalamacchia’s sacrifice fly to make it 2-0.

Craig Breslow worked two hitless innings and Junichi Tazawa got the first two outs of the eighth before Koji Uehara came on to retire the final four batters en route to his 19th save. Uehara has retired the last 31 batters he has faced, dating back to Aug. 17.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Red Sox 2B Dustin Pedroia batted leadoff for the first time since 2009 and went 1-for-4. Pedroia is likely to stay in that spot until Jacoby Ellsbury (foot) is ready to return. … David DeJesus, James Loney and Jennings each singled while Yunel Escobar doubled to account for Tampa Bay’s hits. Loney has hit safely in five straight games and nine of his last 11. … Boston’s magic number to clinch a playoff spot is down to eight.