The Rays got what they wanted on both fronts Wednesday: a Yankees loss, and another win of their own.
While some players in the clubhouse kept tabs on New York’s 13-inning game against the Twins before heading out for the day, Tampa Bay took care of business at Tropicana Field and beat the A’s, 4-3. The combination widened the Rays’ lead in the American League East to 4 1/2 games with 11 left to play, pushing their record to 92-59.
Starter Drew Rasmussen had the mindset earlier in the day, and he made the point plainly: “I keep telling our guys: So long as we take care of business, it doesn’t matter,” Rasmussen said. “ ... All we can do is play who’s on our schedule here tonight, and if we win tonight, it doesn’t matter what they did.”
The Yankees’ 5-4 loss landed about an hour before the Rays finished off their own win. With New York off Thursday, Tampa Bay could stretch the margin to five games if it completes its series against Oakland. Even if the Rays don’t finish off what would be their MLB-leading 16th sweep, they would still carry at least a four-game cushion into a weekend series against the Red Sox at the Trop.
Tampa Bay built a quick 4-0 lead behind Nick Martinez, then had to sweat a little to get it home. Junior Caminero, Jonny DeLuca and Chandler Simpson opened the first inning with three straight two-out doubles, producing two runs. In the second, Nick Fortes and Ryan Vilade followed with run-scoring hits to make it 4-0.
The A’s chipped away in the third when Martinez allowed solo homers to Tommy White and Henry Bolte, cutting the lead in half. Martinez still finished with five innings, though he left after just 72 pitches.
From there, the bullpen did the heavy lifting. Kevin Kelly gave up a run before recording an out, then settled in to strike out the side in the sixth and cruise through the seventh. Cam Booser kept rolling with a clean eighth.
In the ninth, the Rays went to right-hander Cole Sulser instead of Bryan Baker, and Sulser handled it. He earned his third save of the season and closed out Tampa Bay’s fifth straight victory.
In Other News...
Rays Suddenly Have New Hope For A Key Bullpen Arm
With Shane McClanahan, Garrett Cleavinger, Manuel Rodriguez and Tyler Wells all on the injured list, the Rays have spent plenty of the summer trying to patch together their pitching staff on the fly. Wells, in particular, had been a frustrating absence after forearm tightness sent him for an MRI, but the early read offered Tampa Bay something it badly needed, a little optimism instead of another long-term setback.
For a bullpen that has already leaned on Kevin Kelly and others to absorb extra innings and higher-leverage work, any encouraging update on Wells matters. The Rays are still managing their relief mix carefully, but the possibility that Wells stay on the shelf could be limited has at least changed the tone around one of their key arms, and now the bigger question is how quickly he can get back into the picture when the games start to matter most. [Read more 🡒]
Rays Win Streak Comes With A New Clubhouse Tradition Fans Will Love
The Rays postgame mood has taken on a little more theater lately, and Jonny DeLuca found himself in the middle of it after Tampa Bays latest win. The outfielder spun the teams celebration wheel and landed on the assignment to give manager Kevin Cash a hug, a recent wrinkle in the clubhouses victory routine that has players taking turns with whatever task the wheel delivers.
With Nick Martinez nudging him along, DeLuca followed through during Cashs postgame media session, creating a moment that stood out even by the Rays loose, playful standards. It also marked the first time Cash reciprocated one of those hugs, a small but revealing sign of how this winning stretch has only deepened the teams evolving postgame tradition. [Read more 🡒]
Kevin Kelly Just Gave The Rays A Bullpen Decision To Make
After a difficult outing, Kevin Kelly answered right away in his first appearance back, striking out the side and helping the Rays close out a 2-1 walk-off win over the Athletics. It was the kind of reset Tampa Bay needed from a bullpen that has been tested by injuries to Tyler Wells and other relievers, leaving the club searching for steady innings wherever it can find them.
Kellys response only adds to the mix of options the Rays are weighing as the postseason nears. With relief roles still being evaluated, a sharp rebound like this can carry real weight, especially for a team trying to sort out who can be trusted in leverage when the games matter most. [Read more 🡒]