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Roger Mooney's takeaways from Friday's Rays-Rangers game

 
Published July 22, 2017

Looks like LF Corey Dickerson is coming out of his funk at the plate — .186 average in past 16 games entering Friday. He had two hits Wednesday in Oakland and three hits Friday against the Rangers. Okay, one was an infield hit that bounced high in front of the plate, but the other was a long home run to centerfield.

Mallex Smith hits home runs, too? The speedy outfielder stole his 14th base of the season in the first inning, then gave the Rays a 3-1 lead in the eighth with his second homer of the season, proving that the Rays offense is coming from all angles this season.

It was good to see Kevin Kiermaier catching balls in centerfield Friday afternoon. He expects to return around Aug. 9 from his right hip fracture, and the Rays will need his defense in the outfield during their playoff run, when defense is at a premium.