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 Third baseman Evan Longoria hit a solo home run and an RBI double,
leading the Rays to a 4-1 win over the Marlins Thursday at Tropicana
Field.
Tampa Bay (78-81) had 16 hits and stranded 11 runners in the first
seven innings.
The Rays got a strong start from Jake Odorizzi (9-9), who gave up
four hits and one unearned run in seven innings. He struck out seven
and walked two.
"It's a good way to end the season," said Odorizzi, who was making
his final start of 2015. "It was just 'attack,' and if we give up a
hit, oh well, but we were trying to early outs today."
Rays manager Kevin Cash said, "Great way for Odo to finish up his
season. He threw the ball really well. ... It was a very solid
season. He's probably been as consistent as any starter we've had."
The Rays had nine hits before the Marlins had their first, getting
to Miami starter Jose Fernandez (6-1) for 11 hits, the highest
single-game total of Fernandez's career. For all that, the
right-hander gave up only two runs in six innings.
Tampa Bay added on in the seventh when Longoria hit an RBI double
and scored on a single by catcher J.P. Arencibia for a 4-1 lead.
Rays closer Brad Boxberger pitched a perfect ninth for his 41st
save, taking over the American League lead from Huston Street.
The Marlins (69-90), who had won five straight before coming to St.
Petersburg, lost five of six to the Rays this season. Tampa Bay
needs to win its three remaining games against the Toronto Blue Jays
to avoid a losing record. The Rays also are working to avoid last
place in the American League East, as they are in a three-way tie
for the cellar with the Boston Red Sox and the Baltimore Orioles.
It was a difficult homecoming for Fernandez, who graduated from
Tampa's Alonso High School in 2011. took his first loss of the
season in his final start, having made it back from Tommy John
surgery and shoulder problems.
"He gave us a chance -- nine punchouts," Marlins manager Dan
Jennings said. "I thought he got better later. His last two innings
he really threw the ball well, and it's good to see him finish on a
positive note. Peace of mind for the organization, peace of mind for
Jose as he goes into the offseason."
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Odorizzi didn't allow a hit until the fifth inning, when center
fielder Marcell Ozuna singled and eventually scored on a sacrifice
fly by right fielder Ichiro Suzuki.
"He spots his fastball extremely well, and he's got that
split-changeup that's a very good pitch," Jennings said of Odorizzi.
"He made quality pitches all night, kept us off balance."
The Rays jumped ahead 1-0 in the first inning on Longoria's 21st
home run of the season, but the next few innings were mostly wasted
opportunities.
Tampa Bay made it 2-0 in the third on left fielder Grady Sizemore's
RBI single but stranded eight runners in the first five innings.
After five innings, the Rays had 11 hits off Fernandez, whose
previous high at that point in 46 career starts was nine.
Odorizzi got a big boost in the seventh inning when center fielder
Kevin Kiermaier threw out catcher J.T. Realmuto at the plate to end
the inning. Kiermaier picked up his 15th assist, the most of any
major league center fielder.
NOTES: It has happened countless times in the World Series, but
Thursday marked the first time in baseball history that a National
League team and an American League team played a regular-season game
in October. ... Marlins 2B Dee Gordon is batting .329, second in the
National League behind Washington OF Bryce Harper (.331). Gordon
also is second in steals with 56, one behind injured Reds OF Billy
Hamilton. If Gordon takes both titles, he would be the first NL
player to lead the league in each category since Jackie Robinson in
1949, per the Elias Sports Bureau.
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