The Tampa Bay Rays came back to beat the Boston Red Sox 6-4 on Friday night for their eighth consecutive win, and continue a tear that has brought them within three wins of .500.
MLB scores: Rays win 8th straight, Ichiro ends long HR drought
David Price leads the Rays to their eighth straight win and Ichiro hits his first home run in almost a year.
Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
They came at the Red Sox from all sides, with walking trade rumor David Price striking out 10 in eight innings while giving up no walks. According to ESPN's Stats and Info, he is tied with Cliff Lee for the most 10-plus strikeouts, no-walks games over the last three seasons with seven. He's also continued to make himself simultaneously invaluable to the Rays' rising playoff hopes and one of the best trade chips the organization has ever had.
Any expected fireworks from a meeting between Boston’s David Ortiz and Price -- who engaged in a war of words in the aftermath of the last time Price pitched against the Sox -- were never lit. Ortiz did argue with an umpire over a call, but was not ejected.
Ichiro Suzuki really knocks it out of the park
While he’s shown the ability to hit them in the past, Ichiro’s approach at the plate has never allowed him to hit many home runs despite a surprising amount of strength and a strong batting eye. Which has led to him suffering through prolonged droughts like the one he’s had since last August.
But, thankfully, our long national nightmare is over. Suzuki hit what would end up being a game-winning three-run home run in the bottom of the third off of the Jays' Mark Buehrle. According to AP, Ichiro thought he was going to hit one before the game because of the actions of one Derek Jeter.
As the Japanese player told reporters through a translator: “I was kind of expecting that. During batting practice, [Jeter] always tells me, `Can’t leave,‘ which means the ball doesn’t leave the ballpark. This time, though, I think he said, `Can leave.’”
For his part, Jeter gave his fellow future Hall of Famer the silent treatment for a bit before congratulating him on the shot.
No wonder the Rangers have such great luck
... So we have a cat on the field in Texas. #Baseball pic.twitter.com/Pc94xqErOC
— Baseball Report (@NickHamelinMLB) July 26, 2014 Santana’s multiple multi-HR games first for Tribe
Carlos Santana is the first player in #Indians history with multi-homer games as a catcher, designated hitter, and first basemen.
— Ace of MLB Stats (@AceballStats) July 26, 2014 Friday’s final scores
Rangers 4, Athletics 1
Rays 6, Red Sox 4
Phillies 9, Diamondbacks 5
Dodgers 8, Giants 1
Orioles 2, Mariners 1 (10)
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