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Pena, Rays red-hot in August

Aug 9, 2008 - 11:38 AM Tampa Bay (69-46) at Seattle (45-71) 10:10 p.m. EDT

SEATTLE (Ticker) -- Carlos Pena has the Tampa Bay Rays rolling toward a division title.

Pena and the Rays look to continue their winning ways on Saturday when they continue a four-game series against the lowly Seattle Mariners.

The 30-year-old slugger launched his 21st homer and drove in two runs as Tampa Bay claimed a 5-3 victory over Seattle on Friday. With the win, the Rays extended their lead atop the American League East Division to 3 1/2 games over the Boston Red Sox (66-50).

Pena has been red-hot this month, stroking home runs in two of his last three contests while extending his current hitting streak to four games. He owns a .469 on-base and .636 slugging percentage in August, where the Rays have posted a 6-2. At 69 wins overall, Tampa Bay is a victory away from matching a franchise record for victories in a season.

"I'm seeing the ball well and focusing on that. It sounds kind of cliche, but it's true," Pena said. "You know when you can keep it that simple you really allow yourself to play. You can kind of get out of your own way.

"It's the type of at-bats, taking pitches that I shouldn't be swinging at and swinging at pitches that are hittable. Simple as that. Now you put that together over a longer period of time and good things happen."

Matt Garza (9-7, 3.70 ERA) hopes to receive some support from Pena when he takes the mound on Saturday.

Garza has had little success against the Mariners, posting a 1-1 record and 9.75 ERA in three career starts. He has failed to make it out of third inning in each of his last two outings vs. Seattle.

Ryan Rowland-Smith (2-1, 3.44) has been recalled from Class AAA Tacoma to make his third start of the season for the Mariners.