Now with five straight quality starts under his belt, Drew Smyly has matched the longest streak of his career (April-May 2012 with DET).
Now with five straight quality starts under his belt, Drew Smyly has matched the longest streak of his career (April-May 2012 with DET). (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)
Logan Forsythe hit massive homer against his original team, and Drew Smyly collected his fifth consecutive quality start, as the Tampa Bay Rays opened a 10-game home stand with an 8-2 win over the San Diego Padres. Tampa Bay has now won their last two games.

Below are some highlights from the contest.


Source: FanGraphs

— Smyly matched his longest career quality start streak on Monday, with his fifth consecutive quality start. And though Alexei Ramirez homered with one out in the first inning, that was the only hit the southpaw would allow over seven strong innings. Derek Norris walked twice, however, Smyly stymied the Padres hitters, coaxing 11 poppers over the course of his 87 pitch (57 strikes) outing.

Of Smyly’s 51 fastballs thrown, 12 forced swings and misses from San Diego’s all to eager hitters. His cutter was also very good, throwing 12/14 for strikes. Smyly was very efficient and pounded the zone with his only mistake being a middle-in fastball which Ramirez deposited into the seats.

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— Forsythe’s go-ahead blast in the second inning gave the Rays all they’d need Monday night. Not only did it travel 440 feet, he now has five homers in his last 13 games.

— Following that second inning blast, both starters buckled down and held the opposition to 0-for-32 until the eighth inning. In that stretch, Smyly retired 14-of-16 with the only hiccups being the two walks of Norris.

— Kevin Kiermaier, who ended the night 3-for-4 including a homer, swiped a pair of bags.

The Outlaw capped a five-run eighth inning rally with a three-run homer to right-center. He also spoke about his night after the game:

— In his return from the DL, Logan Morrison plated two RBI and helped break the game open for Tampa Bay in the eighth inning.

The New What Next

The Rays will go for the series win Tuesday night with LHP Blake Snell (3-5, 3.18 ERA) on the mound. He’ll be opposed by former Ray Edwin Jackson (3-2, 4.19 ERA). Snell has 58 strikeouts in 56-2/3 innings for 9.21 K/9 — top among AL rookie starters and third among all MLB rookie starters. Jackson is the only visiting pitcher to throw a no-no at Tropicana Field. Jackson is 3-2 with a 2.54 ERA in six games/five starts against his former team. You can read about the pitching matchup in our series preview.

Rays 8/16/16 Starting Lineup

Franklin 2B
Kiermaier CF
Longoria 3B
Miller DH
Duffy SS
Morrison 1B
Souza RF
Dickerson LF
Maile C
Snell RHP

Noteworthiness

— Why pull Smyly, in favor of Brad Boxberger (who walked a pair with two outs), after he threw just 87 pitches? Cash Said he knew Smyly wasn’t going to throw a complete game, and wanted Boxberger to get work. He felt like it was good spot for Box.

Injury updates. LHP Enny Romero (back strain) threw a bullpen session Monday and is expected to begin his minor-league rehab stint this week. RHP Alex Cobb (Tommy John surgery) is slated to make his sixth rehab start Tuesday night with Triple-A Durham, while RHP Chase Whitley (Tommy John) is scheduled to make his sixth at Class-A Charlotte.

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