[Art Deco]

Another successful series as we took 2 of 3 from the Astros, while the Jays dropped 2 of 3 to Texas. The lead is now 8 games and the magic number is 32 so at this point it would take an epic collapse to lose the division.

The first game was a marathon 15-inning affair which unfortunately the Rays dropped 4-2. Max Scherzer, whose stuff has seriously diminished (45) and came into the game with a 6.19 ERA, rolled back the years and dominated the Rays for 8 2/3 innings, holding them to a pair of runs in the 7th which tied the game. Mike Clevinger started and was fortunate to only allow two runs, going 5 8 2 2 3 6 and the bullpen was brilliant for 9 innings before Nick Sandlin gave up a 2-run homer to Francisco Lindor.

Transaction: With the bullpen burned out from last night's 15-inning affair, Colin Poche was sent to Durham and Ryan Thompson, who was the only fresh arm on the 40-man, was called up.

The second game was a literal back-and-forth affair as the Rays lost leads of 3-1, 4-3, and 6-5 before finally overcoming the Astros 7-6. Another veteran who's seen better times started for Houston and the Rays treated Jacob deGrom rudely by taking him deep three times early on solo shots from Randy Arozarena (#14), Lewin Diaz (#23) and Hunter Bishop (#9). But 4 errors helped Houston back in it and Matt Peacock wasn't his sharpest at 5 7 6 4 1 3. Still the Rays persevered and Austin Meadows led off the 8th with a triple. A whiff and a grounder at the drawn-in infield followed, but Bishop came through big again with a 2-out RBI single for the winner. Ryan Thompson was the winner in relief and Nick Anderson nabbed save #27. Joe Ryan pitched the 6th and had to leave with shoulder inflammation, a 5-month injury which ends his season.

Transaction: Ryan is put on the 60-day IL and Thompson is returned to Durham. Poche is called up again, and we've purchased the contract of Jack Little from Montgomery. The former Dodger prospect came over the winter before last in a deal for Joey Wendle, and has pitched very well in AA ball, saving 25 games over the last two seasons with 103 whiffs in 89.2 IP. He has 60 stuff, 55 movement, and 50 control so he should be useful.

The Rays took the rubber game of the series, jumping out to a 6-1 lead and holding on for a 6-4 win. Austin Meadows was the star today, clubbing a pair of 2-run homers to give him 13 for the season. He's been a disappointment this year but has really picked it up over the last month to 6 weeks and will hopefully hit like his normal self the rest of the way. Another slow-starting OF, Randy Arozarena, was 3-4 with an RBI today as he continues to perk up as well. Chris Sale started and pitched well before running out of gas in the 6th, finishing 6 7 3 3 1 4 to improve to 6-1, 3.17. Shane McClanahan got the 9th today and notched save #2 by retiring Houston in order.

Team record: 73-50. Next up: An off-day then we head to Yankee Stadium for 3 games.