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Marc Topkin’s takeaways from Friday’s 5-4 Rays win over Red Sox

Nate Lowe’s hustle pays off big; one batter too long for Morton; Cash’s sense of urgency continues.
 
The Rays' Nate Lowe grounds into a fielder's choice in the seventh, but his hustle down the line avoids the double play and opens the door for the Rays to take the lead later in the inning against the Red Sox on Friday, Sept. 20, 2019.
The Rays' Nate Lowe grounds into a fielder's choice in the seventh, but his hustle down the line avoids the double play and opens the door for the Rays to take the lead later in the inning against the Red Sox on Friday, Sept. 20, 2019. [ DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD | Tampa Bay Times ]
Published Sept. 21, 2019

• Nate Lowe wants to be known for more than just his power, and he’s making a good case this week. On Wednesday he got a start at third rather than being limited to first and DH, then Friday his hustle down the line to avoid a double play got the Rays a key run.

• The Rays have had so much trust in Charlie Morton since the first day he showed up and every time he has pitched for them. On Friday, manager Kevin Cash showed more, going to the mound in the seventh but not taking him out. It backfired though as Morton allowed a homer.

• The Rays talk about treating these pivotal final games as they did the 150-plus that came before them. But Cash is managing with more of a sense of urgency, evidenced again as he pinch-hit for Kevin Kiermaier in the seventh with one on and one out.