Final
Rays-Red Sox Preview
Sep 23, 2015 - 4:38 AM Despite growing closer to being officially eliminated from postseason contention, the Tampa Bay Rays are getting a lift from Mikie Mahtook and Drew Smyly.Mahtook looks to continue his offensive surge while Smyly goes for his longest winning streak as a starter Wednesday night against the Boston Red Sox.
Tampa Bay (73-78) is 6 1/2 games back of Houston for the AL's second wild-card spot with 11 to play, having likely blown its playoff hopes with a 7-12 record since Sept. 2.
The Rays are already looking ahead to next year, shutting down right-hander Nathan Karns for the rest of the season because of tightness in his forearm.
Mahtook and Smyly, however, are proving they can contribute in 2016.
Mahtook is hitting .391 in 18 games since being recalled from Triple-A Durham on Sept. 1, and the rookie outfielder has a .500 average in the past seven.
He connected for a two-run homer in the eighth inning of Tuesday's 5-2 win at Boston (72-78), moving the Rays one-half game ahead of the Red Sox in the race to avoid finishing last in the AL East.
"He's making the most of an opportunity right now," manager Kevin Cash said. "He's even making more of those opportunities. He's done a tremendous job since he's been back up here in September."
Smyly (3-2, 3.64 ERA) has rotated good performances with bad ones since coming back from a torn labrum that sidelined him for more than three months.
The left-hander is 3-1 with a 4.06 ERA in seven starts since returning. He didn't give up a run in three of them, including a 2-0, 13-inning loss to Boston on Sept. 13. He left after equaling his career high with 11 strikeouts in six innings.
Smyly followed with another rough outing five days later, matching a season high with five runs allowed and giving up two homers in 5 2-3 innings of an 8-6 victory over Baltimore. Still, he was credited with the win, his third in a row.
"I think we're thrilled. The hurdle with proving to himself that he's past the injury was probably the greatest hurdle to overcome," Cash said. "I think his pitches have shown more finish, especially his off-speed pitches. The fastball life has been there. Just continue to go out and have good outings."
Smyly has a 1.52 ERA over his last four starts against the Red Sox, allowing one run and six hits in 12 innings this year.
Boston turns to Rick Porcello (8-13, 5.16), who is 3-0 with a 1.86 ERA over his last four starts against the Rays. He allowed three runs with eight strikeouts in seven innings of a 10-4 win at Tampa Bay on Sept. 12.
The right-hander wasn't as sharp six days later in a 6-1 loss at Toronto, giving up six runs in six innings while having a tough time controlling his curveball.
"I just couldn't get comfortable with it," Porcello said.
Travis Shaw is 9 for 14 with five RBIs in his last four games, and the rookie first baseman has a .500 average in seven against the Rays with three homers, three doubles and nine RBIs.
- TAMPA BAY: 6
BOSTON: 2
Final
Sep 23 10:41 PM - Xander Bogaerts singles to shallow center field. Dustin Pedroia to third. Mookie Betts scores.
Rays 6, Red Sox 2 Bot 9, 2 OutsSep 23 10:35 PM - Bogaerts singled to center, Betts scored, Pedroia to third.
Rays 6, Red Sox 2 Bot 9, 2 OutsSep 23 10:35 PM - Mookie Betts singles to center field, advances to 3rd. Jackie Bradley Jr. scores. Fielding error by Kevin Kiermaier.
Rays 6, Red Sox 1 Bot 9, 2 OutsSep 23 10:32 PM - On center fielder Kiermaier's error, Bradley Jr. scored, Betts to third.
Rays 6, Red Sox 1 Bot 9, 2 OutsSep 23 10:31 PM - John Jaso doubles to left field. Nick Franklin to third. Kevin Kiermaier scores. Steven Souza Jr. scores.
Rays 4, Red Sox 0 Top 8, 2 OutsSep 23 9:44 PM - Jaso doubled to left, Souza Jr. scored, Kiermaier scored, Franklin scored.
Rays 5, Red Sox 0 Top 8, 2 OutsSep 23 9:43 PM - Logan Forsythe reaches on error. Steven Souza Jr. to second. Asdrubal Cabrera scores. Fielding error by Deven Marrero.
Rays 2, Red Sox 0 Top 8, 0 OutsSep 23 9:41 PM - Forsythe safe at first on fielder's choice plus fielding error by third baseman Marrero, A.Cabrera scored, Souza Jr. to second.
Rays 2, Red Sox 0 Top 8, 0 OutsSep 23 9:37 PM - Nava singled to right, Kiermaier scored, Jaso to second.
Rays 1, Red Sox 0 Top 7, 2 OutsSep 23 9:09 PM - Daniel Nava singles to shallow center field. John Jaso to second. Kevin Kiermaier scores.
Rays 1, Red Sox 0 Top 7, 2 OutsSep 23 9:09 PM
Sep 23 7:11 PM- TAMPA BAY: 0
BOSTON: 0
Top 1, 0 Outs
Sep 23 7:11 PM
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