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Rays journal: Wilson Ramos sparks Rays with bat, glove

 
Wilson Ramos, left, is greeted by Kevin Kiermaier after homering off Brandon Workman in the sixth inning.
Wilson Ramos, left, is greeted by Kevin Kiermaier after homering off Brandon Workman in the sixth inning.
Published Sept. 11, 2017

BOSTON — The Rays needed a win for a lot of reasons Sunday, and there were several players who played large roles in the 4-1 victory over the American League East-leading Red Sox.

RHP Alex Cobb limited the high-scoring Sox to the one run while working into the sixth. LHP Dan Jennings had arguably his biggest outing since joining the Rays, escaping a two-on, no-out jam. 3B Evan Longoria had a big hit. And 1B Lucas Duda had a long home run.

But it was C Wilson Ramos who had the biggest hand in the win that improved their record to 71-73 and moved them up to 3½ games — though still five teams — behind the second wild-card-holding Twins.

Ramos singled in the Rays' first run, scored the second and launched a homer for the third, plus he completed a pivotal play in the second, snaring Mallex Smith's throw from right and tagging out Christian Vazquez, with the call standing up through a long replay review.

"I've been waiting for a day like today," Ramos said.

The homer was a big blast, but manager Kevin Cash said he was more impressed with the discipline Ramos showed in the first at-bat, blooping the ball to right.

Alex the great

After seeing the Red Sox knock out RHPs Chris Archer and Matt Andriese early the past two nights en route to piling up 18 runs, Cobb said he knew he had a tough assignment on Sunday. "It is kind of intimidating when you see that they put up 18 runs in the first two games," Cobb said. "You realize we need a stop in the biggest of ways to have a chance to stay in the wild card. You look forward to those types of moments to stop it and slow the momentum down." While acknowledging all the other contributions, Cash said, "It all started with Alex Cobb's performance, obviously very strong again." Cobb, a free agent after the season, improved to 11-9, 3.59.

Let's go to the replay

It looked as if Smith's throw and Ramos' across-the-plate tag were enough to nail Vazquez to end the second, until the Red Sox challenged and what Cash called an "interesting" replay was shown on the Fenway Park video board and several Rays returned to the field. But after nearly three minutes of deliberation by the crew in New York, the call stood. "I knew when I saw it live that he was out, and then when I saw the replay I thought my eyes may have deceived me a little bit," Cobb said. "I got on the mound and prepared to throw like I would need another out. I've been on the wrong end, but it felt good to be on the 'call stands' this time."

Lt. Dan on ground patrol

LHP Dan Jennings has had his struggles since being acquired from the White Sox, but he handled Sunday's highest leverage moment. Coming in with two on and no outs in a 3-1 game, he got one ground ball that SS Adeiny Hechavarria swiftly turned into a double play then another for the final out. "Throw strikes and try to get ground balls," Jennings said. "That's what I'm thinking about."

Number of the day

12 Consecutive hits by 1B/DH Lucas Duda (left top) that have been for extra bases, three doubles and nine homers

Quote of the day

"There was a tweet that (Weather Channel lead meteorologist) Jim Cantore was in the bay area; I guess you know it's pretty bad if he's going to show up there and report.''

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Cash (left bottom)

Rehab report

RHP Jake Faria (abdominal strain) allowed three runs on three hits and two walks in 31/3 innings for short-season Hudson Valley, throwing 36 of 60 pitches for strikes. He's set to rejoin the Rays in New York and be activated. … LHP Xavier Cedeno (forearm) and RHP Nate Eovaldi (Tommy John surgery) threw well and felt good in their first rehab outings Saturday, pitching an inning each for Double-A Montgomery. Eovaldi was clocked up to 98 mph. Both are eyeing late September returns.

Not-so-minor matters

Montgomery was playing Sunday in the fifth and final game of its series against Chattanooga (Twins), with the winner named co-champs of the Southern League. (The championship round was canceled due to Hurricane Irma.) … Hudson Valley lost 4-1 to Staten Island (Yankees), tying their best-of-three NY-Penn League playoffs at 1. … Triple-A Durham advanced to the International League Governor's Cup Finals for the 11th time in 20 years as a Rays affiliate with a 4-3 Saturday win over Indianapolis. The Bulls will face Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (Yankees) in a series starting Tuesday night.

Miscellany

. The Rays will bat last, wear their white uniforms and use the Mets home clubhouse for the three-game series against the Yankees shifted to Citi Field from the Trop due to Hurricane Irma. That makes for an unexpected return to familiar territory for Duda, who was acquired from the Mets at the July deadline, but he wasn't making too much of it given the unfortunate circumstance. "Just another place to play as far as I'm concerned," he said.

. RHPs Jake Odorizzi (left top) and Steve Cishek joined players from the Red Sox and NHL Bruins and Panthers (who relocated training from south Florida due to the hurricane) pregame in greeting fans to collect donations for Red Cross hurricane relief efforts.

. RF Steven Souza Jr. (left bottom) was out of the lineup for a second straight day as a result of the left knee he bruised Friday. Cash said he will check with him about playing tonight.