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 With some luck, they might just make the playoffs.
The Rays' third baseman hit his 20th home run of the year to
kick-start a three-run sixth inning, powering Tampa Bay to a third
straight victory and its fifth in the last seven games with a 4-2
win over the Boston Red Sox in the finale of a four-game series
Thursday night at Fenway Park.
"I think this group has done a really good job of just going
day-to-day," Longoria said. "We're trying to win. We're just trying
not to be in last place, at this point."
Tampa Bay (75-78) fell into the AL East cellar after Boston's
series-opening win Monday, but the Rays reclaimed fourth place the
next day and held the Red Sox to two runs in each of the final three
games while scoring 15 in that span.
"Winning is always on our mind," Rays manager Kevin Cash said.
"We've just got to go out and continue to play good baseball."
After Thursday's win, the Rays were only five games out of the
second AL wild-card spot with nine to play, although they would need
to leapfrog five teams in the standings and had just a 0.1 percent
chance of making the postseason entering the day, according to
MLB.com.
"I think we all understand where we're at in the standings and the
held that would be needed throughout the rest of the league," Cash
said. "Let's just continue to play good baseball."
Longoria has done his part, especially at Fenway Park. The
three-time All-Star went 3-for-4 to extend his Fenway hitting streak
to 14 games, the longest in franchise history.
"I like playing here," Longoria said. "I think it's a great
atmosphere for baseball. I think just coming into an environment
like this, knowing it's hostile -- you know, the fans are into it --
it just helps you get up and it helps with just playing your best."
With Boston (72-80) leading 2-0 in the sixth, Longoria hit a solo
shot off Red Sox left-hander Wade Miley that started a two-out
rally.
Tampa Bay second baseman Logan Forsythe singled, and shortstop
Asdrubal Cabrera tied the game with a double.
Rays right fielder Steven Souza Jr. proceeded to smack a go-ahead
double to cap the inning and secure the series-clinching victory for
the Rays.
Tampa Bay center fielder Kevin Kiermaier added insurance with a solo
homer in the seventh.
Cabrera, Kiermaier and Forsythe all had two hits for Tampa Bay.
Rays right-hander Erasmo Ramirez (11-6) shook off an early homer to
post seven quality innings, allowing only two runs on four hits and
striking out six. He didn't issue a walk.
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Rays right-hander Brad Boxberger converted his 38th save of the year
with a scoreless ninth.
Boston was powered by a two-hit night for designated hitter David
Ortiz, who clubbed a two-run home run -- his 36th of the season and
No. 502 of his career.
"Our offense was held in check for the third consecutive day," Red
Sox interim manager Torey Lovullo said. "I think that's what, six
runs in three days. And we feel like we can win some of those games.
But unfortunately we were playing catch up, we couldn't do it
today."
Ortiz's notched his 100th and 101st RBIs of the year, giving him his
ninth 100-RBI campaign to tie Ted Williams for most in Red Sox
history. Ortiz also recorded his franchise-best sixth season of at
least 35 homers and 100 RBIs, one more than Jimmie Foxx and Manny
Ramirez.
Miley (11-11) departed after 6 1/3 innings, having surrendered four
runs on eight hits and a walk while striking out three.
NOTES: Mike Hazen was named senior vice president/general manager of
the Red Sox. "This organization is prestigious, successful, has
history -- history that I'm proud of personally, one that I grew up
in," said Hazen, a 39-year-old Abington, Mass., native who worked in
Boston's front office for 10 years. ... Red Sox LF Hanley Ramirez
(right shoulder inflammation) was shut down for the rest of the
season, but the team still plans to move him to first base in 2016.
"We are very interested in seeing that happen," Red Sox interim
manager Torey Lovullo said. ... Boston 3B Pablo Sandoval was
diagnosed with pneumonia and will be re-evaluated Saturday. Sandoval
missed the four-game series against Tampa Bay with what the team
originally called a "significant upper-respiratory infection."...
Rays LHP Jake McGee (knee) is on pace to return Friday. ... Tampa
Bay RHP Jake Odorizzi flew to Toronto on Thursday ahead of Friday's
start.
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