Mikie Mattock's solo shot accounted for the Rays only run Friday night. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)
Mikie Mahtook’s solo shot accounted for the Rays only run Friday night. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)
Chris Archer allowed a first inning homer to David Ortiz on Friday, yet the Tampa Bay Rays were unable to recover from the deficit as they fell to the Boston Red Sox, 2-1. Despite turning his 10th quality start in 12 turns, Archer now holds the franchise record for losses in a season at 19.


Source: FanGraphs

The solo shot, his 37th on the season, followed Xander Bogaerts’ one-out walk, and gave Ortiz 124 RBI — the most ever by a player in his final season.

Archer was able to bounce back, pitching in an out of trouble over the next five innings as he held Boston scoreless for the remainder of his start.

Following the contest, Archer was grateful for never again having to see Ortiz in the opposing batter’s box, saying, “I’m not trying to be funny, but I’m really glad I’m not going to have to face that guy again. He’s a really good hitter.” It’s no wonder, Boston’s DH has been a chronic thorn in the side of Archer over his career, posting a .375 batting average (15-40) with four doubles, four homers, and 19 RBI.

On the other side of the coin, Drew Pomeranz was just as effective over his five innings of work. Mikie Mahtook was the only Ray that was able to produce against the former Padre, taking the southpaw deep to left-field on the first pitch he saw in the second inning.

Tampa Bay did have a couple chances to get even against Pomeranz, yet to no avail. In the third inning, Luke Maile lashed a one-out double to left-center, then went to third on a groundout. But Kevin Kiermaier flew out to left, ending the threat. Then in the fourth inning, Pomeranz got Corey Dickerson to ground into an inning-ending double play with runners at the corners and one out. For Dickerson, a player who has been very productive of late, that all important big hit escaped him at an incredibly crucial juncture in the ballgame.

Tampa Bay didn’t get another runner into scoring position until the seventh inning, when Dickerson hit a two-out ground-rule double to right-center off Robbie Ross Jr. (cough, three innings too late). Nick Franklin came in to pinch-hit against Matt Barnes, but popped out to short to end the frame.

The Rays had one last shot to win the ballgame in the ninth, and it all started with Evan Longoria’s double to left-center against Brad Ziegler. However, Brad Miller popped out to short, Mikie Mahtook struck out swinging on four pitches, and — after Dickerson was walked intentionally — Juniel Querecuto struck out to end the game. Boston’s five relievers (over the final four innings) held the Rays to two hits and two walks.

The New What Next

Matt Andriese (8-7, 4.41 ERA) will get the start for Tampa Bay on Saturday, opposite of Cy Young Award contender Rick Porcello (21-4, 3.08 ERA). Andriese has won consecutive starts for the first time since the beginning of June. He is 1-1 with 4.58 ERA in five career appearances (three starts) against Red Sox. Porcello has hurled at least seven innings and allowed three or fewer runs in each of his past 11 starts, tying Cy Young and Pedro Martinez for longest such streak in Red Sox history. You can read about the pitching matchup in our series preview.

Rays 9/24/16 Starting Lineup

Forsythe 2B
Kiermaier CF
Longoria 3B
Miller 1B
Dickerson LF
Franklin DH
Mahtook RF
Ramirez SS
Casali C
Andriese RHP

Noteworthiness

— Prior to the ballgame, the Rays handed out their franchise awards. Evan Longoria received two awards: the Don Zimmer Award as the Rays MVP, and the Paul C. Smith Champion Award, given to the Ray who best exemplifies the spirit of true professionalism on and off the field. LHP Blake Snell was named the Rays rookie of the year.

 

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