The Tampa Bay Rays are still sitting on a magic number of two after Thursday’s 3-1 loss to the Atlanta Braves, and that means the wait to clinch a playoff berth continues.
Tampa Bay had the setup it wanted entering the series finale at Truist Park. The Rays had already taken the first two games from Atlanta, and a handful of results elsewhere broke their way as well: the Texas Rangers, Toronto Blue Jays, Chicago White Sox and Cleveland Guardians all lost, trimming the Rays’ magic number to two. That left Tampa Bay with two paths to clinch on Sept. 10 - but both required a sweep.
That part never materialized.
The Rays came out with a chance to strike first in the opening inning. Yandy Diaz and Ryan Vilade opened with back-to-back singles, Junior Caminero followed with a popout to second, and Jonny DeLuca then singled to load the bases. But Chandler Simpson couldn’t cash in, and the threat ended with a double play that forced Diaz out at home.
After that, Atlanta starter Martin Perez took control. Tampa Bay’s lineup, with Kevin Cash making some tweaks in an effort to get more done against left-handed pitching, never found a way to break through.
Perez finished with seven shutout innings, giving up just one hit over the final six frames he worked. He walked two and struck out four.
The Rays did have a strong answer on the mound in Nick Martinez, who matched Perez pitch for pitch for much of the afternoon. Martinez held Atlanta scoreless over 6.1 innings, allowing two hits and three walks. Cam Booser then got the final two outs of the seventh to keep it a 0-0 game.
But the late innings turned on Tampa Bay. Kevin Kelly was charged with three earned runs in just 0.2 innings, allowing four hits, and Casey Legumina also allowed a hit before getting the final out.
Tampa Bay avoided the shutout thanks to Victor Mesa Jr., who came off the bench in the ninth and launched Raisel Iglesias for his 12th homer of the season.
The Rays now head back to Tropicana Field to open their final homestand of the year with three games against the Houston Astros. They’ll be watching the scoreboard closely, because a loss by either the Rangers or White Sox would drop the magic number to one.
Even so, the job isn’t finished. Tampa Bay also has to keep its attention on holding off the New York Yankees in the AL East race.
In Other News...
Braves Catch A Huge Opening After Phillies Change Saturday Plans
Saturdays pitching picture shifted quickly when Phillies manager Don Mattingly said Jess Luzardo would be scratched from his start against the Braves because of shoulder stiffness. Philadelphia has not named the replacement yet, but it has already signaled it will go with an opener, which changes the tone of a game that had been set up around a more traditional starter.
For Atlanta, the timing is a welcome break in what should still be a tight divisional test. A bullpen-led approach can turn a familiar matchup into a longer, more unpredictable night, and it gives the Braves a chance to adjust their game plan before first pitch once the Phillies reveal how they want to cover the innings. [Read more 🡒]
Phillies Suddenly Change Plans For A Braves Game That Matters
The Phillies had lined up Jesus Luzardo to take the ball in an upcoming game against the Braves, but that plan changed quickly when the left-hander was scratched because of stiffness in his left shoulder, according to manager Don Mattingly. Philadelphia will turn the matchup into a bullpen game instead, a notable adjustment in a series where every start can matter with Atlanta still tracking the shape of the race around it.
Luzardo has been one of the Phillies most important pitchers this season, working deep into games and showing why the club moved to secure him with a five-year extension. For now, the hope is that the setback costs him only a few days, with the team planning to give him extra rest before bringing him back into the rotation. [Read more 🡒]
Braves Fans Wanted This Deadline Arm And It Looks Worse By The Week
When the trade deadline passed, plenty of Braves fans had their eyes on Casey Mize as a possible rotation fix, but Atlanta never made the move and the former Tigers right-hander instead landed with the Padres. In the weeks since, the comparison has tilted sharply in the Braves favor, with Mize struggling to settle in San Diego while Tyler Mahle has given Atlanta the kind of dependable work it wanted in the rotation.
For a front office that gets graded on the margins this time of year, this has become one of those decisions that looks better with every start. Alex Anthopoulos passed on a pitcher many in Atlanta wanted, and the early returns suggest the Braves may have been right to stay patient rather than chase a deadline name that has not translated well so far. [Read more 🡒]