Afternoon, folks. The Tampa Bay Rays and Boston Red Sox are back in action tonight in Game 2 of the four-game series. Thanks to last night’s 6-2 win backed by eight scoreless innings from former Rays ace David Price, the Red Sox moved back into a tie with the Toronto Blue Jays atop the AL East standings. After going 5-1 in the first six games of this 10-game homestand, the Rays look to bounce back against Boston, which has won 9 of its last 11. Here are Tuesday’s lineups:
Rays
Logan Forsythe – 2B
Kevin Kiermaier – CF
Evan Longoria – 3B
Brad Miller – 1B
Tim Beckham – SS
Logan Morrison – DH
Steven Souza, Jr. – RF
Corey Dickerson – LF
Bobby Wilson – C
Red Sox
Dustin Pedroia – 2B
Xander Bogaerts – SS
David Ortiz – DH
Mookie Betts – RF
Hanley Ramirez – 1B
Jackie Bradley, Jr. – CF
Sandy Leon – C
Tavis Shaw – 3B
Andrew Benintendi – LF
On the mound
Rays: Chris Archer (7-16, 4.18 ERA) makes his 27th start of the season, but is also riding a nine-game losing streak against the Red Sox and is the franchise’s longest vs. an opponent. Archer, who has gone 3-4 in seven starts since the All-Star Break, is coming off arguably his best start when last Wednesday he went 7.1 scoreless innings vs. San Diego to help the Rays complete a three-game sweep. Archer leads the A.L. in strikeouts (186), but also has a major-league high 16 losses.
Red Sox: Clay Buchholz (4-9, 5.42 ERA) is making his 16th start this season and has allowed four earned runs in 10.1 innings over the last two starts. Buchholz, who is the longest-tenured Red Sox pitcher rostered, is 5-3 with a 1.91 ERA in 11 career starts at Tropicana Field and looks for his third straight win in St. Petersburg. His 2.62 ERA vs. Tampa Bay is the second-lowest among active pitchers.
Homers Club
The Rays have homered in 10-straight games and 17 of their last 18, giving them 166 homers which is tied for fifth-most in the majors. That puts them on pace for 219, which would surpass the 2009 season when the Rays hit a franchise record 199.
Injury report
Monday night, RHP Alex Cobb (Tommy John Surgery) made his sixth rehab start, pitching for Triple-A Durham at Norfolk. Cobb gave up five runs on nine hits and two walks over four innings pitched (81 pitches). Manger Kevin Cash said Tuesday the team will talk to Cobb first, then decide whether he makes another rehab start or rejoins the Rays.
Minor Matters
Durham 1B Casey Gillaspie went 4-for-5 with two homers, four RBI and three runs Monday night. … Tuesday, the Miami Marlins claimed OF Oswaldo Arcia off waivers. He was designated for assignment Friday.
Miscellaneous
Second-year manager Kevin Cash needs two more wins to pass former manager Lou Piniella for most wins in his first two seasons at the helm. Piniella went 133-190. … The Rays haven’t hit a walk-off homer in more than two years, the last coming May 22, 2014 from Sean Rodriguez vs. Oakland. … 12 balls has struck the catwalks in fair territory this season, the most since 2005 (12) and one shy of the record (2000, 01). … The Red Sox have scored a major-league best 683 runs this season.
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