Thursday, 4 a.m.
When they hit, they look formidable. When they pitch, they look like contenders.
There have been times as of late that the wheels have come off of the Tampa Bay Rays. The lineup has been banged up, and the starting pitching has been embarrassed, and the bullpen has seemed shaky.
But on Wednesday night, the Rays looked like a team that can live for a while in the upcoming post-season.
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Tyler Glasnow, who hasn’t finished strong, was dominating in a 5-0 victory over the Boston Red Sox. He went five innings and gave up just two hits while striking out nine. The Rays’ bullpen added four shutout innings as the team won its 14th shutout of the season.
A night earlier, the Rays had watched a 7-0 lead get whittled to one. Not this time. Four Rays’ relievers allowed one hit, no runs and struck out seven. Robert Stephenson struck out the side in the ninth.
The Rays struck out 16 Red Sox in all. Tampa Bay won 11 of their 13 against Boston this seaso I’mn.
Josh Lowe had three hits and his 20th home run. Isaac Paredes had two hits and his 31st home run.
Harold Ramirez drove in a run with a sacrifice fly and Manuel Margot drove in one with a double.
The Rays are off today, then play in Toronto for the season’s final series against the Blue Jays.