The Tampa Bay Rays warm up before their game against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on September 23, 2015 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
The Tampa Bay Rays warm up before their game against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on September 23, 2015 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
A pair of former teammates took the hill against one another on Wednesday night, yet Rays hurler Drew Smyly prevailed over Boston’s Rick Porcello. The Tampa Bay Rays broke open a close game late en route to a 6-2 win over the Red Sox. The Rays (74-78) has now won the two straight against the Red Sox.

Tampa Bay took a late lead in the seventh, breaking a scoreless tie. Kevin Kiermaier (3-for-3 against Rick Porcello), slapped a one out base hit to right. The Outlaw sandwiched a pair of stolen bases around a Nick Franklin strikeout, before John Jaso walked. With runners on the corners and two outs, Daniel Nava ― who made his first start against his former team at Fenway ― bounced an RBI single through the right side, giving the Rays a one run lead.

The Red Sox missed out on a big scoring opportunity in the seventh inning; one that could have changed the complexion of the game. Blake Swihart walked against Smyly to lead off the frame, and Deven Marrero reached on a bunt single that James Loney bobbled as he tried to make a play at second. Smyly was able to coax a fly ball out to center from Jackie Bradley Jr., but with 107 pitches (67 strikes) under his belt, it was clear his night would be done.

Andrew Bellatti took the hill in relief and got Mookie Betts to fly to center, with Swihart advancing to third on the tag up. With Dustin Pedroia at the plate, Marrero swiped second, but Boston’s second baseman grounded to short to end the threat.

That gave the Rays lefty starter a shutout over 6-1/3 innings. Smyly worked around three walks and an HBP, to go along with five scattered hits. He fanned seven in his fourth scoreless start of the season ― the second in as many starts against Boston. Additionally, the scoreless start gave Rays starters their 31st scoreless start of the season ―  the most in the Majors after leading the Majors last season with 32. Per the Elias Sports Bureau, Tampa Bay is just the second club in Major League history with 30 starts in back-to-back seasons when the starting pitcher was not charged with a run.

Tampa Bay extended its lead in the eighth by tacking on three more runs. Porcello allowed back-to-back hits (an opposite-field double to Asdrubal Cabrera, and a single by Steven Souza Jr.), consequently putting runners at the corners with no outs. It also spelled the end of Porcello’s night.

Tommy Layne took the mound in relief and got pinch hitter Logan Forsythe to ground to third. However, Marrero mishandled the play, allowing Cabrera to cross the plate. After J.P. Arencibia lined to center, and Kiermaier bounced into a 1-6 fielder’s choice, Nick Franklin walked — bringing the dreaded Jaso to the plate. The Rays DH doubled to left, plating a pair and pushing the lead to four runs.

Another inning, and two more runs… Cabrera career homer number 100 off Pesky’s pole in the ninth inning, and Souza Jr. responded in kind, crushing a Monstah shot to left.

Souza had four of Tampa Bay’s 14 hits, while Cabrera and Kiermaier had three apiece.

The Rays bullpen followed Smyly with 2-2/3 innings of relief, but Kirby Yates made things unintentionally interesting after he allowed a couple of two-out runs in the ninth. Now up by four, Brad Boxberger got David Ortiz to fly out to left for the final out of the game, and his 37th save.

The New What Next

Erasmo Ramirez (10-6, 3.70 ERA) will take the hill in the series finale, opposite of LHP Wade Miley (11-10, 4.34 ERA). Ramirez hopes to end a trend that has seen the Rays lose his last five starts after winning 11 of his previous 15. Miley has been on a consistent roll lately, giving up three earned runs or fewer in his last three starts. You can read about the pitching matchup in our series preview.

Rays 9/24/15 Starting Lineup

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

Noteworthiness

— The Rays will start Matt Andriese on Sunday in Toronto in place of Matt Moore, who will face the Marlins on Tuesday. The move also puts a righty on the hill against the Blue Jays. The rotation shuffle sets up marquee matchup Saturday afternoon in Toronto: Chris Archer vs. David Price — student vs. mentor.

— Just one more day until our final regular season watch party. Hope to see you at Green Bench Brewing Company Friday night.

WATCHPARTY

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