[Art Deco]

Game 1: 5-2 W. WP-Buckman (10-7, 5.2 3 1 1 2 6). S-D.Cruz (12/31). HR-Haro (19). Rays scored 5 runs on 4 hits in the 2nd inning and didn't get one more of either the rest of the way but it didn't matter as the pitching held tough. Gurrola's 2-run double and Haro's 3-run homer were more than enough offense, although Ransom fractured his thumb after being hit by a pitch and will be out the rest of the regular season.

Transaction: Placed IF Jon Ransom on the 10-day IL, recalled IF Bob Alvarez from AAA Durham.

Last year's waiver of claim of Ransom turned out to be one of our best moves as he had a 288/378/393 season good for 3.3 WAR and solidified the SS position. He'll be lost for the rest of the regular season although he should return by the ALCS should we get there, possibly as soon as the ALDS. Alvarez was a 3rd-round pick in 2030 and has climbed the ladder where he was having a great season at Durham (307/354/481) with plus defense. Right now he's a 45/45 hitter but has the potential to be a 55/50 one and if he can get there he'd be fairly valuable. Our other hot SS prospect Vinny Arroyo will take over at the position in Ransom's absence.

Game 2: 5-2 W. WP-Vargas (9-9, 5 4 2 2 3 1). S-Whitehead (11). HR-Castro (20), Gurrola (25). Gurrola was 3-5 with 2 runs scored and his homer and Pino drove in a pair to lead the team to another win, one which officially clinched a playoff spot. Vargas was shaky but effective and the pen was great again.

Game 3: 10-7 W. WP-Little (2-0). S-Fragoso (2). Starter-Najera (3 8 4 4 2 6). HR-Pino (34), Haro (20). The Rays completed the sweep although Najera has struggled of late including perhaps his worst start today, and his ERA has now risen above 2 to 2.12. Haro's 2-run homer in the 3rd tied the game at 4 and then Alvarez, in his MLB debut, delivered a 2-run single to put the Rays ahead to stay.

Team record: 92-57. The magic number for the division is down to 2. Next up: We'll look to clinch in San Antonio where we'll play 3 after an off-day.