DeJesus lifts the Rays into first place in the AL East

by Gary Shelton on May 21, 2015 · 0 comments

in general, Tampa Bay Rays

Boxberger recorded his 12h save of the season./JEFFREY S. KING

Boxberger recorded his 12h save of the season/JEFFREY S. KING

Thursday, 11:15 p.m.

You still hear that he's on borrowed time.

But more and more, it appears that the best team for David DeJesus might be the Tampa Bay Rays, after all.

DeJesus hit a home run and a double Wednesday night, lifting the Rays into first place in the American League East standings. Pitcher Alex Colome, along with four relievers, threw a six-hit shutout at Oakland.

DeJesus knocked in two runs with a home and a double in the Rays' win./JEFFREY S. KING

DeJesus knocked in two runs with a home and a double in the Rays' win/JEFFREY S. KING

Since the spring, there has been banter about DeJesus being traded. With Steven Souza, Kevin Kiermaier and Desmond Jennings playing the three outfield spots, DeJesus has seemed like a commodity that the Rays could not afford, not with his $6 million salary.

But the injury to designated hitter John Jaso has left a crack for DeJesus, and DeJesus has responded by hitting .316 with three homers. In only 98 at-bats, he already has 16 RBI. He had only 19 in 298 at-bats last year.

Brad Boxberger collected his 12th save of the season for the Rays.

The Rays, 23-19 on the year, have now held opponents to two runs or fewer in half of the team's 42 games this year. The A's failed to score despite leading off the game with a triple and loading the bases with two outs in the fourth.

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