Drew Smyly returned to form Wednesday night, striking out a career high 12 over 6-2/3 innings, as the Tampa Bay Rays rallied from a deficit for a second consecutive day — edging out Seattle 3-2 in extra innings. Tampa Bay has won the first two games of this series, and four of five to start the home stand. They also have won four straight series, something the couldn’t say last season.
The Rays walked it off in the bottom of the 13th inning with the bases loaded. Tampa Bay started the rally with one out against Mike Montgomery when Logan Forsythe ripped a triple to right — the first hit by either team in extra innings — and pinch-hitter Tim Beckham was hit by a pitch. Taylor Motter, who entered the game in place of Evan Longoria (after being pulled due to left forearm tightness), worked a full-count before drawing a walk to load the bases. Logan Morrison capped the rally by walking on a 3-2 pitch, scoring Forsythe for the winning run.
Per Neil Solondz (Rays Radio), it was the Rays first walk-off walk since Luke Scott drew one on May 9, 2013 against Toronto. It was also the longest game of the Year (4:38) by time and innings. Seattle walked 11 batters, their most since 2008, and also struck 19, the most ever for the franchise in a road game.
Tampa Bay’s relievers were the unsung heroes of the ballgame, collecting a combined 6-1/3 innings of 4H/4 K baseball. Xavier Cedeno and Matt Andriese held the Mariners hitless over the final four innings of play.
As for Longoria, the third baseman had previously experienced left forearm tightness, although it flared up in his last at-bat of the game.
Evan Longoria left the #Rays game in the 13th inning with a tight left forearm. He felt it on a check swing in his last at bat.
— X-Rays Spex (@XRaysSpex) June 16, 2016
It’s not certain is Longoria, who is listed as day to day, will appear in today’s lineup.
Longoria the media it’s “truly day to day,” and expects to be available to pinch hit if needed. The plan is for Longoria to be back in the lineup tomorrow.
Meanwhile, Steven Souza Jr., who did not play Wednesday evening, has been placed on the 15-day DL with a left hip strain. The roster move creates space on the 25-man roster for LHP Blake Snell.
The #Rays have placed OF Steven Souza Jr. on the 15-day DL (left hip strain).
— #VoteRays (@RaysBaseball) June 16, 2016
The outfielder injured his hip on a diving catch attempt Monday night. The Rays have now lost three of their outfielders to the injury bug, and the loss of Souza’s bat could be a significant blow to the team. While streaking, Souza has shown more pop at the plate, slashing .255 BA/.315 OBP/.443 SLG/.758 OPS/.327 wOBA/2.1 wRAA with 10 home runs.
The New What Next
Blake Snell (0-0, 1.80 ERA) will get the start for the Rays, opposite of James Paxton (0-2, 3.72 ERA). Snell struck out 13 his last start for Durham, and will make his second Major League start today (his first at Tropicana Field). The lefty will face the team he grew up rooting for, something he said he’ll “get used to.” Paxton is coming off his best Major League start of the season, throwing 6-1/3 scoreless innings against the Rangers on June 11th. You can read about the pitching matchup in our series preview.
Rays 6/16/16 Starting Lineup
Forsythe 2B
Mahtook RF
Pearce DH
Morrison 1B
Jennings CF
Beckham SS
Motter 3B
Decker LF
Casali C
Snell LHP
Noteworthiness
— Different home plate umpire, same inconsistent strike zone:
