The Tampa Bay Rays beat the Boston Red Sox 5-1 to win the series and extend their AL East lead over the Yankees to six games. Griffin Jax throws five scoreless innings as Tampa Bay heads to the Bronx with a chance to clinch the division title and the American League's top playoff seed.
The Tampa Bay Rays get a huge win to take the series against the Boston Red Sox on Sunday at Tropicana Field. The team beat Boston 5-1 in their final home regular-season game of the year and now move to 95 and 60 on the season, A full six games ahead of the New York Yankees.
With a pivotal series looming in the Bronx on Tuesday, Kevin Cash and his roster did everything needed to close the magic number on clinching the American League East title this week.
Here is what you need to know from the contest.
Jax Was Flawless
After a shaky start earlier this weekend from Ian Seymour, Griffin Jax once again proved that he could be a reliable piece in the rotation for the Rays when the postseason arrives.
The right-hander threw five shutout innings, striking out five Red Sox batters and only allowing three hits across 74 pitches to help seal the series victory. Jax picked up his eighth win of the season and has now only allowed one earned run across his last three starts.
Kevin Cash followed Jax with five relievers in the contest, and only Ty Johnson allowed an earned run when Trevor Story hit a home run in the top of the 9th inning. Tampa Bay's pitching staff kept Boston to limited base traffic, as well as 0 for 4 with runners in scoring position.
Offense did what matters.
It wasn't the most flashy performance from the Tampa Bay batting order, but they did what was needed to be done and scored enough runs to allow Kevin Cash to freely utilize his entire pitching staff as needed.
The team picked up only four hits in the contest but brought in five runs by capitalizing on nearly every player who entered scoring position. The team was 3 for 4 with runners in scoring position, and Victor Mesa Jr. capitalized in the bottom of the fourth inning with a home run, his 14th of the year.
Ben Williamson returned to the lineup for the first time since the beginning of August. He went 0 for 3 in the contest.
Plenty of questions answered.
Once again, this Tampa Bay squad succeeded against a tough playoff-caliber team towards the end of the season, proving they are ready for a deep postseason run.
Boston, who is still looking to clinch a playoff spot themselves, were fighting hard against their division rival, but Tampa Bay proved why they are leading the American League.
The team will now travel to Yankee Stadium for four games in three days, including a doubleheader on Tuesday. The Rays could clinch the division title and the top seed in the playoffs for the American League with just one victory in the doubleheader.
First pitch for Game 1 is scheduled for 1:05 pm Eastern.
