Mikie Mahtook became one of eight Rays to go 5-for-5 in a game. That list also includes BJ Upton, T. Perez, Carl Crawford, and Jeff Keppinger. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)
Carlos Pena retired as a Ray Friday night, and the Tampa Bay Rays honored the former first baseman by plating six runs in the fifth inning en route to an 8-6 win over the Baltimore Orioles. Mikie Mahtook tied a franchise record with a five-hit night, to highlight a 13-hit attack.

Baltimore broke out in front in the second inning, thanks to a three-run monster shot by J.J. Hardy to left field. The homer followed a two-out hit by pitch of Steve Pearce and a four pitch walk of Caleb Joseph off starter Drew Smyly. An opportunity to end the inning unscathed presented itself, but J.P. Arencibia was unable to hold onto a two-strike foul tip that would have ended the frame. Whatever the case, Tampa Bay entered the bottom of the inning down by three.

Smyly efficiently put down the first five batters on four strikeouts (swinging) and a Johnathan Schoop fly ball out to right, needing just 22 pitches to do so. Yet the lefty ended the second inning having thrown 43 pitches. Despite walking a pair ― one that was erased on a third inning caught stealing of Manny Machado, and a base hit ― Smyly didn’t allow another run until the sixth.

Tampa Bay answered in the bottom of the frame, taking advantage of a second life as well. After Jonathan Schoop threw wildly to first on a potential Arencibia double-play ball, Tim Beckham homered to left center. The two-run shot (his ninth of the year) got the Rays within one.

The 3-2 score held until a six-run rally in the bottom of the fifth. John Jaso began the rally against Orioles hurler Tyler Wilson with a one-out single to left. Mikie Mahtook doubled over the head of Adam Jones in center, and Evan Longoria was intentionally walked to load the bases. Grady Sizemore followed by belting a three-run double to right-center, giving Tampa Bay a go-ahead lead.

Chaz Roe entered in relief and promptly walked Steven Souza Jr. on seven pitches. James Loney, who had a productive night at the plate on Thursday, plated a pair of runs on a double into the right field corner. Finally Nick Franklin capped the scoring with a bloop double that fell in front of Jones in shallow center.

However, Baltimore answered in the sixth with a two-out two-run homer from Steve Pearce, chasing the lefty. Smyly gave up just four hits, but allowed five runs — all on homers — and all of them scored with two outs. Brandon Gomes took the mound and retired the next four hitters, handing the ball to Steve Geltz in the eighth.

Geltz started the frame by coaxing a popper out of Machado before walking Davis. Yet the righty coaxed a double-play ball out of Jones to face the minimum.

Brad Boxberger took the hill in the ninth and quickly induced a weak grounder to third out of Schoop for the first out of the frame. Though Boxberger made the game a bit more uncomfortable when he gave up a hard hit solo shot to left to Pearce (his second homer of the night). In spite of that, the much maligned righty was able to pick up his 35th save of the season. The Rays won, 8-6.

The New What Next

Erasmo Ramirez (10-5, 3.75 ERA) will try to build on his last outing, opposite of LHP Wei-Yin Chen. Ramirez carried a no-hitter into the eighth inning against the Yankees. He came away with a no-decision after pitching his longest outing of the season at 7-2/3 innings. Erasmos is 2-1 with a 4.01 ERA in six career appearances (five starts) against Baltimore. Chen is trying to put the finishing touches on another solid season. He is tied for second on the team in wins and has a 3.44 ERA and 1.23 WHIP in 172-2/3 innings.  You can read about the pitching matchup in our series preview.

Rays 9/19/15 Starting Lineup

Guyer LF
Shaffer 3B
Longoria DH
Forsythe 2B
Cabrera SS
Loney 1B
Souza RF
Kiermaier CF
Maile C
Ramirez RHP

Noteworthiness

— Carlos Pena signed an honorary contract with the Rays on Friday, and the 14-year veteran immediately announced his retirement from Major League Baseball.

Pena spoke at a pre game news conference in which he said,

After 17 years of living my childhood dream, I am honored to walk away from the game I love, with the team that I most cherished. The Tampa Bay Rays will forever hold a very special place in my heart. It felt like home. It felt like family. …This is just a dream come true to end my career in such a way. And I wouldn’t have it any other way. The Rays, it was the most fun I ever had playing baseball — including Little League, I must say. And it’s something I repeat often. … I’m floored (by getting to retire as a Ray). Words cannot really express how grateful I am and how indebted I am to this organization and the people of Tampa Bay.

Matt Silverman, who signed Pena to the honorary contract was complimentary of the former first baseman,

Carlos played such a key role during the transformation of our franchise to the Rays. His contributions both as a player and a person can still be felt today. The respect he has for our organization and the connection he feels to Tampa Bay and our fans is heartwarming. It is with great pride that we welcome him back to the Rays organization.

Prior to the game against the Orioles, Pena took to the field wearing his familiar number 23 jersey to throw out the ceremonial first pitch to his father after a video tribute played on the scoreboard.

—  Chris Archer game Mikie Mahtook an ice bath during his post game interview after tallying five hits against the Orioles:

— Hey, sign that minor leaguer! Oh wait, they already have:

— LHP Xavier Cedeno should be available tonight. He has been out more than a week due to side tightness.

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