ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – The Boston Red Sox are happy with their post All-Star game start.

Josh Beckett overcame early struggles to pitch six effective innings, Will Middlebrooks drove in a pair during a tie-breaking three-run fifth, and the Red Sox beat the Tampa Bay Rays 7-3 on Sunday.

Additional Photos

Red Sox Manager Bobby Valentine ponders his next move in Sunday’s game at St. Petersburg. Fla. The Sox won, 7-3. The Associated Press

Boston's Pedro Ciriaco, left, celebrates with Mike Aviles, center, and Will Middlebrooks after Aviles and Middlebrooks both scored off Aviles' homer in the second inning against the Tampa Bay Rays Sunday in St. Petersburg, Fla. The Associated Press

Boston took 2 of 3 from the Rays after dropping 6 of 7 before the All-Star break.

“We’ve got to win series now,” Beckett said of the Red Sox, who are 45-44.

Beckett (5-7) allowed three runs — all in the first — and eight hits. He is 5-0 over his past eight games against Tampa Bay. He struck out seven and walked two in stopping a personal six-start winless streak.

“He’s battling this flu a little, and I think he just had to get his feet on the ground a little,” Red Sox Manager Bobby Valentine said. “But did one heck of a job, putting those goose eggs up. He’s a great competitor. He wasn’t going to let that game get away him.”

Boston went ahead 6-3 during the fifth when Daniel Nava homered and Middlebrooks had a two-run single off James Shields (8-6), who has allowed double-digits hits in four consecutive starts.

“We need to get some momentum going in this second half,” Middlebrooks said.

Boston closer Alfredo Aceves, in a non-save situation, loaded the bases on three walks in the ninth, but retired Hideki Matsui on a high fly to right to end it.

Shields lasted just five innings, giving up six runs and 11 hits. He is 3-6 over his past 12 games.

“I’m just not making my pitches,” Shields said.

“That’s all. I’ve got to do a better job of making my pitches. Of course it’s frustrating. I’m not doing my job right now. The bottom line is I’ve got to get better.”

Cody Ross made it 7-3 on a sixth-inning sacrifice fly.

“I like the way we’re coming together,” Valentine said.

Adrian Gonzalez put the Red Sox up 1-0 on a first-inning RBI single. Mike Aviles’ two-run homer tied it at 3 in the second.

Ben Zobrist had a run-scoring infield single that went off Beckett’s glove, and Desmond Jennings hit a two-run single during the bottom of the first.

The Red Sox return home tonight for a four-game series against Kevin Youkilis and the Chicago White Sox. Youkilis was traded from Boston to the White Sox last month.

NOTES: Boston DH David Ortiz walked in his ninth consecutive game. The DH also has a 10-game hitting streak.