September 8-14, 2026
Transaction: Randy Vasquez was optioned to AAA Durham and we purchased the contract of 2024 1st-round pick Hagen Smith from the Bulls as it's time to see what he can do at the MLB level. For now he'll pitch in relief.
September 8: Off-Day.
September 9: vs Atlanta 5-2 W (10). WP-Bautista (9-4). Starter-Bradley (7 6 1 1 0 6). HR-Paredes (23), T.Hernandez (32). Teoscar's 3-run homer in the bottom of the 10th walked it off after Robertson gave up a Ronald Acuna homer in the 8th to cost Taj a win after he pitched magnificently.
September 10: vs Atlanta 1-3 L. LP-McClanahan (9-12, 5.2 4 2 2 4 7). Our typical non-support for Mac as the bats were held in check by Atlanta's Sandy Alcantara.
September 11: Off-Day.
September 12: at NY Mets 9-5 W. WP-Robertson (7-4). Starter-Pepiot (2.2 4 5 5 4 4, 2 HR). HR-Yandy Diaz (12), Yanier Diaz (2), J.Lowe (17). A wild one as Pepiot was horrible as you can see from his line, putting the Rays down 5-2 after 3. But the bats battled back and the bullpen held the rest of the way. J.Lowe's grand slam in the 7th was the big one, putting them ahead 7-5 as he capped a 5-RBI day. Hagen Smith made his MLB debut and went 1 1/3 scoreless, fanning a pair although he walked two as well.
September 13: at NY Mets 5-2 W. WP-Springs (9-10, 6 3 1 1 1 4). S-Bautista (33). HR-T.Hernandez (33). Teoscar's 2nd 3-run homer of the week was also a big one putting the Rays ahead 3-1 and to stay in the 6th.
September 14: at NY Mets 5-8 L. LP-Senga (4-3, 3.1 5 5 5 3 2). HR-Caminero (24). Senga struggled mightily against his old team, giving up a Daulton Varsho grand slam and pitching poorly otherwise before leaving with a sore wrist which probably won't keep him from his next start.
Team record: 86-58. Baltimore has won 6 straight and opened up a 6 1/2-game lead in the division so it's time to forget about that. WC1 remains the Rays' to lose though as they're 6 1/2 ahead of Minnesota. Next week: More interleague action with 3 in Miami, a day off and then back home for 3 against Pittsburgh.
Players of the Week:
AL: Gunnar Henderson (BAL), 10-23, 3 HR, 7 RBI
NL: Endy Rodriguez (PIT), 8-17, 1 HR, 6 RBI
MLB News: Never thought we'd live in a universe where the Yankees were eliminated from playoff contention on September 14, but at a dismal 58-86 that's where we are.
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