Friday, 4 a.m.
If the Tampa Bay Rays are going to win 100 games this season, they will have to do go the home of their fiercest rival to do so.
The Rays would have to win two of three against the desperate Yankees, a team that is leading the American League wild-card race, to hit the century mark. Already, Tampa Bay has won a franchise-record 98 games.
One of those was not Thursday night, however. The Rays lost a 3-2 game to
Content beyond this point is for members only.
Already a member? To view the rest of this column, sign in using the handy "Sign In" button located in the upper right corner of the GarySheltonSports.com blog (it's at the far right of the navigation bar under Gary's photo)!
Not a member? It's easy to subscribe so you can view the rest of this column and all other premium content on GarySheltonSports.com.
the Houston Astros, who clinched the American League West title with the win. Carlos Correa's three-run homer provided all the runs for Houston.
For the Rays, the record-tying 43-game on-base streak (for players 20 years old and younger) by Wander Franco ended. Franco was originally called safe on a chopper to second base in the sixth inning, but the call was overturned by replay. Franco did reach in the ninth on an error, which does not count.
”That’s a good word, remarkable," said Rays' manager Kevin Cash. "Anytime you are up there next to Frank Robinson, it's a big deal. . Congrats again to Wander. I’m guessing he’s going to have plenty of streaks in his career."
The Rays had only four hits on the night, and just three against Houston starter Lance McCullers.
The Rays' two runs came on a homer by Brandon Lowe, his 36th of the season. Since July 18, he's batting .295.
Shane McClanahan will start for the Rays in their 7:10 p.m. game against New York tonight at Yankee Stadium. Nestor Cortes will pitch for the Yankees.