PORT CHARLOTTE — Rays officials are eagerly awaiting official word from Major League Baseball that the playoff field will be expanded to include an additional wild-card team in each league for this season.

Rays principal owner Stuart Sternberg said he expects the change to be implemented. With all parties operating under commissioner Bud Selig‘s deadline of today, an announcement is expected today and FoxSports.com reported Wednesday the plan is “a go.”

The new format would seem to help the Rays in that it allows another team — potentially a third-place team — to make the playoffs. But it also puts a greater premium on winning the division because the two wild-card teams would first meet in what is expected to be a one-game playoff.

Because the regular-season schedule has been released, MLB, players union and TV network officials have been working out details of when the games will be played, how revenues will be split and where they will be shown.

MOORE BETTER: LHP Matt Moore said his mildly strained lower abdomen “felt great” after playing catch at 75 feet, but there is still no timetable for him to return to the mound.

The Rays say they are not concerned but just being cautious and that unless Moore’s absence carries into next week, it will not prevent him from being ready to start the regular season.

“(Head athletic trainer Ron Porterfield) is going to try to accelerate it a little bit more (today),” manager Joe Maddon said.

GAME BOYS: Most of the Rays will participate in a four-inning intrasquad game after an abbreviated workout this morning.

The concept is for pitchers to get the chance to face hitters in more game-like conditions. But the bigger benefit is the situational work the Rays will do between innings on specific offensive and defensive plays and implementing their signs (which is a reason why the game is not open to the public.)

“We have this opportunity to set things up and have our guys react accordingly to that,” Maddon said.

LHP Cesar Ramos and RHP Josh Lueke will start followed by RHPs Alex Cobb, Matt Torra, Marquis Fleming, Matt Bush and LHP Alex Torres. The teams will be managed by bullpen catcher Scott Cursi and video coordinator Chris “Chico” Fernandez. Among those not listed to play: 1B Carlos Peña, C Jose Molina, LF Sam Fuld and DH Luke Scott.

THE RUNDOWN: The Rays worked on pickoffs and rundowns Wednesday, a focal point of their efforts to control opponents’ running games.

“We’re not any smarter than anybody else,” Maddon said. “At the end of the day, it always comes down to who executes better than the other team.”

PITCHING IN: After LHP David Price starts Saturday’s exhibition opener, the rest of the rotation has RHP Jeremy Hellickson on Sunday, RHP Wade Davis on Monday, RHP Jeff Niemann on Tuesday and RHP James Shields on Wednesday.

MISCELLANY: 3B Evan Longoria taped a national TV commercial for MLB, one of 10 players to be featured. … The Rays will partner with four Charlotte County area charities to raise funds during the spring: the YMCA, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Habitat for Humanity and the Homeless Coalition. … There is an event tonight for spring season-ticket holders, including a question-and-answer session with Ben Zobrist and broadcast of the Countdown to Opening Day radio show from 7 to 8 on 620-AM.

Marc Topkin can be reached at topkin@tampabay.com.

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer

In Print: Wednesday, October 5, 2011

ST. PETERSBURG

The preference would have been for champagne, of course, sprayed wildly around the room. Instead, the Rays gathered in the quiet Tropicana Field clubhouse after the 4-3 playoffs- and season-ending loss, sipping Charbay and Johnny Walker Blue Label whiskey from small plastic cups.

They had done so earlier this season, on the April 6 flight to Chicago after they lost their first five games, manager Joe Maddon telling them they would finish as the best team ever to start that way.

With the season finally over Tuesday afternoon, Maddon stepped in front of them again to make another toast, joking about how prophetic he turned out to be. And amid the frustrated faces, the blank stares and some moist eyes, they realized as they raised their cups how amazingly much they actually accomplished.

“It’s hard to leave here upset,” infielder Sean Rodriguez said. “What we did was nothing short of a miracle.”

The pain of being eliminated — in just four games, in front of their home (though not sold-out) crowd, by the Rangers for a second straight year — was evident throughout the clubhouse, strewn with equipment bags for the trip back to Texas they would not be making.

“Heartbreaking,” ace pitcher James Shields said. “Just heartbreaking. … It just kind of came to a crashing halt there, and that’s a shame.”

“I’m kind of disgusted,” centerfielder B.J. Upton said. “It’s just sad it had to end this way.”

Having come back from what became an 0-6 then 1-8 start, from nine games out of the wild card on Sept. 4, from seven runs down in the eighth inning of Game 162, winning the AL wild card in the wildest way possible, the Rays felt certain they were destined to keep playing for a while.

“Nobody likes to go home,” third baseman Evan Longoria said. “When you come in here after a game like today when you know the season is over and you’ve got to pack up your locker and say bye to everybody for the winter, it’s just not a good feeling.”

The end, in a way, came fittingly, with the Rays struggling for offense much of the afternoon then trying for another dramatic comeback and falling just short.

Down 2-0, 3-1 and 4-2 — primarily due to Adrian Beltre having the seventh three-homer game in postseason history — the Rays closed to 4-3 in the ninth and had the tying run on first with one out. But Matt Joyce popped up and Desmond Jennings hit a ground ball that forced pinch-runner Elliot Johnson at second to extinguish their final hope.

“We felt like ’til the very end we were going to pull it out,” DH Johnny Damon said. “We just didn’t want our Cinderella ride to be over yet.”

“I guess,” Longoria said, “that was our ninth life.”

After winning the opener in Texas, the Rays seemed to be positioned well, but then they lost three straight — by a total of four runs. The Rangers shut down the Rays’ key hitters — Upton and Longoria were 0-for-13 with nine strikeouts in Games 3 and 4 — and flexed just enough muscle.

“We just didn’t see this early exit coming,” Upton said. “We didn’t think they could beat us twice at home.”

Maddon acknowledged that it felt like a premature ending but said he was filled with pride given what they did and how they did it: becoming the first AL team to make the postseason after starting 0-6, and the first in the majors to do so after being nine games out in September, winning 91 games along the way despite all the players they lost from last year’s team.

“I do believe we could have gone further,” Maddon said, “but I’m really pleased with where our players took us this year.”

Executive vice president Andrew Friedman was similarly conflicted.

“In the moment, it’s extremely painful for all of us,” he said. “We have such an amazing group of guys with such resolve, with such fight all year long. Nine innings every night; we saw it in these last two games. It’s a really special group to be a part of. I’m sure once we get out of the moment we’ll reflect back and really appreciate what we accomplished. But being in the moment, it’s really difficult to do that.”

As they gathered in the clubhouse for the last time, they listened to principal owner Stuart Sternberg thank them for the efforts, then to Maddon remind them of their accomplishments.

“We did a lot of things that weren’t expected of us, with a lot less than most,” Longoria said. “And that’s something we could be pretty proud of.”

Marc Topkin can be reached at topkin@sptimes.com.

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Updated Sep 28, 2011 12:54 AM ET

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP)

Strong pitching, solid defense and just enough offense. Call it the Rays way.

Tampa Bay continued its improbable bid for the AL wild card with a 5-3 victory over the New York Yankees on Tuesday night, taking the chase down to the last night of the regular season after getting home runs from Matt Joyce and Ben Zobrist and turning a triple play that helped them stay in the game.

Seeking their third playoff berth in four seasons, the Rays are tied with Boston after making up nine games in the standings since Sept. 4.

The Red Sox beat Baltimore 8-7, and if the teams remain tied after Wednesday’s season finales, they will meet in a one-game playoff Thursday at Tropicana Field.

”We don’t feel like we have anything to lose. We’ve had a great run,” Zobrist said. ”We’re hoping to cap it with a playoff berth.”

Joyce’s three-run homer off former teammate Rafael Soriano (2-3) was the All-Star’s first in more than three weeks and it wiped out a 3-2 deficit in the seventh. Zobrist hit a two-run drive off Bartolo Colon in the second, and the Rays kept the score close by turning the third triple play in franchise history after falling behind in the sixth.

”Everybody’s thirsty for offense, and we’d like to score more,” Rays manager Joe Maddon said. ”But we’re built around pitching and defense.”

Jake McGee (4-2) pitched one scoreless inning to get the win. With a crowd of 22,820 standing and cheering, Kyle Farnsworth got the final three outs for his 25th save in 31 chances. The victory was the fourth straight for Tampa Bay, which trailed the Red Sox by nine games before battling back into the wild-card race.

”Catching Boston was a big thing, but we still haven’t accomplished what we set out to do from the beginning of spring training,” Rays designated hitter Johnny Damon said.

Russell Martin hit a solo homer for the Yankees in the third, but also grounded into the triple play that helped Jeremy Hellickson escape further damage after Nick Swisher’s RBI double gave New York a 3-2 lead in the sixth.

The Yankees, who clinched the division title and homefield advantage throughout the AL playoffs last week, rested Derek Jeter and plan to play most – if not all – of their regular lineup again on Wednesday. Manager Joe Girardi remained undecided on a starting pitcher for the finale, but it figures to be a reliever.

New York general manager Brian Cashman reiterated how nice it is to be in a position to not have to go down to the wire.

”I’m not pulling for anybody. I know I’m glad that we were able to do what we did,” Cashman said. ”I know that both parties involved, Boston and Tampa Bay, are having sleepless nights. They’re hungry. Rather than have to live to through it, I think both want to fast forward it to see what happens. I’ve been there.”

Zobrist has homered five times in his last 10 games after going 39 games without hitting one. Martin’s solo homer trimmed the early lead to 2-1, and the Yankees tied it in the fourth when Brett Gardner, who had singled, scored from third as Curtis Granderson grounded into a double play.

New York wasted a couple of opportunities to take charge against Hellickson, who allowed three runs and six hits in six innings. Mark Teixeira flied to right field with the bases loaded to end the third, and the Yankees also failed to score with the bases filled in the sixth, when Martin grounded into the 5-4-3 triple play.

After Swisher’s RBI double, Jorge Posada drew an intentional walk to load the bases against Hellickson with no outs. The rookie escaped the jam when Martin hit a sharp grounder to third baseman Evan Longoria, who stepped on the bag and threw to second baseman Zobrist for the second out. Zobrist’s relay to first arrived ahead of Martin, who dived head first into the base.

”What I was hoping for was maybe a double play and giving up one run,” Maddon said. ”But my God, how do you even envision a triple play. We were very fortunate with that. The ball was hit in a perfect spot.”

Girardi agreed.

”You can’t hit it in a more perfect spot,” he said. ”That was a big break for them.”

Colon allowed two runs and seven hits in 5 1-3 innings. Girardi used four relievers – Soriano, Cory Wade, David Robertson and Mariano Rivera – in their final tuneup for the playoffs.

”We’re professionals. We try to win every game,” Martin said. ”We want to play these guys tough. They just had our number today.”

Notes: The Rays played without 1B Casey Kotchman, who was scratched from the lineup after experiencing chest tightness and being taken to a hospital for precautionary tests. The team said all of the tests were negative. … Damon singled in the second inning, moving past Lou Gehrig into sole possession of 57th place on the career hits list with 2,722. … Tampa Bay and Boston both are trying to become the first team to start a season 0-6 and make the playoffs. … Cashman flew to Florida to take part in a postseason organizational meeting with Girardi and his coaching staff. More talks will take place Wednesday. … Girardi said it’s possible the Yankees will use three starters and have 10 or 11 pitchers overall for the opening playoff round. LHP CC Sabathia and RHP Ivan Nova will start Games 1 and 2. The Yankees have not announced their Game 3 starter. … Cashman confirmed that the New York Mets denied the Yankees request to have their Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre team play one season in Newark. Scranton/Wilkes-Barre’s stadium is undergoing major renovations.

Tampa Bay scored 13 unanswered runs
and then held on for a 15-8 win against the New York Yankees
that pulled the Rays within two games of Boston in the chase for
the American League wild-card spot.

B.J. Upton, Johnny Damon and Ben Zobrist each hit a home
run and drove in three runs for the Rays, who had lost the three
previous games in the series at Yankee Stadium.

The Yankees had clinched the AL East division title a day
earlier by sweeping Tampa Bay in a doubleheader. Several New
York regulars had last night off as Matt Moore struck out 11 in
five scoreless innings in his first Major League Baseball start.

“Obviously it wasn’t all their lineup, but there was a lot
of good hitters in that lineup and he attacked them,” Rays
manager Joe Maddon told reporters. “His composure, Yankee
Stadium, throwing strikes, all those things speak to the makeup
of Matt Moore.”

The Red Sox (88-68), who were off yesterday, have six games
left — three at New York starting tonight, followed by three at
Baltimore. The Rays (86-70) also have six remaining, all at home
– three against Toronto this weekend, followed by a three-game
visit from the Yankees.

The Los Angeles Angels lost 4-3 at Toronto in 12 innings
and remained three games behind the Red Sox for the wild card.
The Angels (85-71) also have six games remaining.

The Texas Rangers, who lost 4-3 at Oakland yesterday, lead
the Angels by five games in the AL West. The Detroit Tigers, who
already clinched the AL Central title, lost 6-5 against the
Baltimore Orioles.

The St. Louis Cardinals blew a four-run lead in the ninth
inning in an 8-6 loss at home to the New York Mets, and fell two
games behind Atlanta in the chase for the National League’s
wild-card spot. The Braves, who have lost 13 of their last 20
games, had the day off.

The Cardinals led 6-2 entering the ninth inning at Busch
Stadium before three St. Louis relievers allowed the Mets to
score six runs on four walks, three hits and two errors. Willie
Harris’s two-out, two-run single broke a 6-6 tie.

“Don’t make a mistake and say we’re heartbroken,”
Cardinals manager Tony La Russa told reporters. “Our heart’s
beating. We won the series, get ready for tomorrow.”

The San Francisco Giants lost 8-2 at the Los Angeles
Dodgers and trail the Braves by four games for the wild card.
The Giants are six games back in the NL West of the Arizona
Diamondbacks, who didn’t play yesterday.

The Philadelphia Phillies, who already have clinched the NL
East title, lost their sixth straight game, falling 6-1 at home
against the Washington Nationals. The Milwaukee Brewers, who
lead the NL Central by five games over St. Louis, were off.

To contact the reporter on this story:
Rob Gloster in San Francisco at
rgloster@bloomberg.net

To contact the editor responsible for this story:
Michael Sillup at
msillup@bloomberg.net

The Tampa Bay Rays pulled within
two games of Boston in the race for the American League’s wild-
card playoff berth by beating the division-rival Red Sox 8-5 in
the finale of their four-game series.

Matt Joyce had three hits and drove in three runs for the
Rays, who won three of four games at Boston’s Fenway Park. Tampa
Bay improved to 85-67 and begins a four-game series tomorrow
against the Yankees in New York.

The Yankees lost 3-0 to the Toronto Blue Jays yesterday and
hold a 4 1/2-game lead on the second-place Red Sox (87-65) in
the AL East. The Yankees are 6 1/2 games ahead of the Rays with
11 regular-season Major League Baseball games remaining.

The Detroit Tigers, who already clinched the AL Central,
defeated the Oakland A’s 3-0 yesterday as Justin Verlander
tossed eight shutout innings for his 24th win. Verlander is the
first AL pitcher with 24 wins in a season since Oakland’s Bob Welch won 27 games in 1990.

The Texas Rangers shut out the Seattle Mariners 3-0 to
maintain a 4 1/2-game lead in the AL West over the Los Angeles
Angels. The Angels beat the Baltimore Orioles 11-2.

The Milwaukee Brewers, who lead the National League Central
by 6 1/2 games, beat the Cincinnati Reds 8-1 as Prince Fielder
and Carlos Gomez hit first-inning homers. The second-place St.
Louis Cardinals won 5-0 against the Philadelphia Phillies.

The Arizona Diamondbacks lead the San Francisco Giants by
five games in the NL West after a 5-1 win against the San Diego
Padres. The Atlanta Braves lost to the New York Mets 7-5 and
lead the Cardinals by 3 1/2 games for the NL wild card, which
goes to the division runner-up with the best record.

To contact the reporter on this story:
Erik Matuszewski in New York at
matuszewski@bloomberg.net

To contact the editor responsible for this story:
Michael Sillup at msillup@bloomberg.net

BOSTON (Reuters) – The red-hot Tampa Bay Rays improved their Major League Baseball playoff hopes by moving to within two games of rival Boston for the American League wild card spot with a 8-5 win over the slumping Red Sox on Sunday.

The Rays (85-67), who trailed Boston (87-65) by nine games as recently as two weeks ago, have won seven of their last 10 to close the gap. Each team has 10 games remaining.

“(The series) was a lot of fun,” Rays reliever Jake McGee told reporters after he pitched 2-2/3 innings to record the win. “I love coming to the park every day, everyone has a good time, everyone is getting along. Everyone is really loose and not putting too much pressure on each other.”

In Toronto, the New York Yankees fell 3-0 to the Blue Jays, missing an opportunity to extend their four-game lead in the AL East and denying Mariano Rivera a shot at setting MLB’s career saves record.

In the National League, the Milwaukee Brewers inched closer to clinching the Central division by capping a three-game sweep of the Cincinnati Reds 8-1.

The Brewers have a seven-game lead over St. Louis with the Cardinals playing the Philadelphia Phillies late on Sunday.

The defending World Series champion San Francisco Giants, trying to claw their way into the playoffs, beat Colorado 12-5 to move within four games of National League wild card-leading Atlanta who lost to the New York Mets 7-5.

San Francisco trails Arizona by five games in the NL West.

Tampa Bay’s post-season push took another step forward when they took advantage of Boston starter Tim Wakefield who allowed six runs in five innings.

Matt Joyce went 3-for-4 with three RBIs for the Rays, who went ahead 3-0 in the second inning and also tacked on two runs in the fifth and two in the seventh to claim an 8-2 advantage.

Starter David Price left the game with a 4-2 lead after four innings after being hit in the chest by a line drive, though it appeared to be a precaution.

Boston scored a two runs in the fourth and got a three-run home run from Mike Aviles in the bottom of the seventh but it was too little too late as the Red Sox slump continued.

The Red Sox but have lost 13 of 17 games and are now fighting for their playoff lives.

“I choose to believe, knowing the guys down in the clubhouse like I do, we’ll meet this challenge and it will make us stronger,” Red Sox manager Terry Francona told reporters.

“I guess that’s our best way to go about this.”

(Writing by Jahmal Corner in Los Angeles; Editing by Frank Pingue)

BALTIMORE – The Tampa Bay Rays couldn’t hide their disappointment after losing another game to last-place Baltimore.

The Rays botched an excellent opportunity to gain ground in the wild-card race, getting only three hits over seven innings against Jeremy Guthrie in a 6-2 loss to the Orioles on Wednesday night.

After watching Boston lose to Toronto in an afternoon game, the Rays took the field with a chance to close within three games of the Red Sox in the AL wild-card hunt.

Instead, they lost a second straight game to the team with the second-worst record in the American League.

“They shut us down for two games. We can’t permit that to happen,” Tampa Bay manager Joe Maddon said.

Especially against the pitcher with the most losses in baseball. Guthrie (8-17) tied a career high with 10 strikeouts and allowed only two runs to win a second consecutive start for the first time this season.

“We have to figure out a way to get it done,” Maddon said. “We can’t miss out on these opportunities.”

Next up for the Rays: Four games against the Red Sox at Fenway Park, beginning Thursday night. Tampa Bay swept a three-game series from Boston last weekend and is 9-5 against the Red Sox, including 4-1 on the road.

“Let’s get out of here and get up there, get our mojo back,” Maddon said.

Wade Davis (10-9) gave up a three-run homer to Chris Davis and a solo shot to Nolan Reimold. Wade Davis, who allowed four runs and seven hits in 6 1-3 innings, is 4-1 in six career starts at Camden Yards.

Matt Wieters added a two-run shot in the eighth off Matt Moore, who was making his major league debut. It was Wieters’ 20th home run, the third in three games.

“Obviously, we wanted this win and last night,” Rays center fielder B.J. Upton said. “But we’re going into Boston for four, so we need to flush this one as quickly as we can.”

If the Rays fall short in their bid to reach the playoffs, they can blame either a 1-8 start or their 9-9 record against the Orioles, who are 14-33 against the rest of the AL East.

“These guys have our number right now. They have played us well all year,” Maddon said.

Guthrie improved to 6-10 lifetime against Tampa Bay, 2-3 this season. He also beat the Rays on opening day.

“He just kept the ball down and didn’t leave it over the middle of plate,” Upton said. “He has always had good stuff and he showed that today.”

Jim Johnson worked the final two innings for his sixth save, the second in two nights.

Guthrie retired the first eight batters before Reid Brignac singled in the third. Reimold opened the bottom half with his 10th home run, a low-flying line drive that glanced off the top of the left-field wall and into the seats.

The lead didn’t last long. Guthrie walked two of the first three batters in the fourth and Matt Joyce cleared the bases with a two-out double.

In the Baltimore half, Vladimir Guerrero beat out a slow roller to third, Wieters doubled and Chris Davis hit an opposite-field homer to left on an 0-2 pitch for a 4-2 lead.

That was enough to saddle the Rays with another distressing defeat.

“Every time you lose a game it is a lost opportunity,” Rays designated hitter Johnny Damon said. “Just because it is Baltimore, we didn’t let up at all. The home run ball helped them out tonight, as well as last night.”

Tampa Bay’s final threat came in the seventh. Damon drew a leadoff walk and took second on a single by Joyce before Guthrie sandwiched two strikeouts around a fly ball by John Jaso.

Guthrie was more delighted about playing a part in beating the Rays than he was in earning a rare win.

“We matched up well at the plate, we pitched well and got some big hits,” the right-hander said. “It’s a nice series.”

NOTES: Rays OF Sam Fuld left in the fifth inning with a wrist injury. … Tampa Bay recalled LHP Alex Torres from Triple-A Durham and purchased the contract of 1B Dan Johnson from Durham, giving the team 34 players in uniform. … The Rays’ rotation for the Boston series: Jeremy Hellickson (12-10), James Shields (15-10), Jeff Niemann (10-7) and David Price (12-12). Tampa Bay has held the Red Sox to a .177 batting average, including .158 in Boston. … Orioles CF Adam Jones (thumb) hopes to return Friday after missing a fifth straight start. He entered as a defensive replacement in the ninth. … After a day off Thursday, the Orioles resume play Friday against another playoff hopeful, the Los Angeles Angels. Tommy Hunter (3-4) starts for Baltimore against Dan Haren (15-8).

CBSSports.com wire reports
Sep. 14, 2011

BALTIMORE — There are times when Jeremy Guthrie throws so well, it’s downright hard to believe he’s got more losses than any pitcher in the major leagues.

Guthrie allowed three hits over seven innings and matched a career high with 10 strikeouts, leading the Baltimore Orioles past the Tampa Bay Rays 6-2 Wednesday night.

The Rays are in the middle of a playoff run and the Orioles are in last place, but Baltimore won the pivotal game of the series behind Guthrie (8-17), who won a second straight start for the first time this year.

“You know when you play Tampa, for the most part you’re going to have to pitch with them. Starting pitching, especially,” Orioles manager Buck Showalter said. “Tonight, it was that case.”

There was a point in the season not too long ago when Guthrie appeared destined to become a 20-game loser. But he’s 3-1 with a 2.53 ERA in five starts since Aug. 13.

“I’m just taking it one at a time,” he said. “I think I have a couple more and at the end of the year you look back and see where you’re at.”

After watching Boston lose to Toronto, the Rays took the field knowing that a victory would put them within three games of Boston in the AL wild-card race.

Instead, they lost a second straight to the team with the second-worst record in the American League.

“Just because Guthrie has 17 losses doesn’t mean he’s a bad pitcher,” Rays designated hitter Johnny Damon said. “There are a lot of teams that if he were on them, he would be their ace and he would have a lot more wins.”

Next up for the Rays: Four games against the Red Sox at Fenway Park, beginning Thursday night. Tampa Bay swept a three-game series from Boston last weekend and is 9-5 against the Red Sox, including 4-1 on the road.

“Let’s get out of here and get up there, get our mojo back,” manager Joe Maddon said.

Wade Davis (10-9) gave up a three-run homer to Chris Davis and a solo shot to Nolan Reimold. Wade Davis, who allowed four runs and seven hits in 6 1/3 innings, is 4-1 in six career starts at Camden Yards.

Matt Wieters added a two-run shot in the eighth off Matt Moore, who was making his major league debut. It was Wieters’ 20th home run, the third in three games.

If the Rays fall short in their bid to reach the playoffs, they can blame either a 1-8 start or their 9-9 record against the Orioles, who are 14-33 against the rest of the AL East.

“These guys have our number right now. They have played us well all year,” Maddon said.

Guthrie improved to 6-10 lifetime against Tampa Bay, 2-3 this season. He also beat the Rays on opening day.

“He just kept the ball down and didn’t leave it over the middle of plate,” Tampa Bay center fielder B.J. Upton said. “He has always had good stuff and he showed that today.”

Jim Johnson worked the final two innings for his sixth save, the second in two nights.

Guthrie retired the first eight batters before Reid Brignac singled in the third. Reimold opened the bottom half with his 10th home run, a low-flying line drive that glanced off the top of the left-field wall and into the seats.

The lead didn’t last long. Guthrie walked two of the first three batters in the fourth and Matt Joyce cleared the bases with a two-out double.

In the Baltimore half, Vladimir Guerrero beat out a slow roller to third, Wieters doubled and Chris Davis hit an opposite-field homer to left on an 0-2 pitch for a 4-2 lead.

Tampa Bay’s final threat came in the seventh. Damon drew a leadoff walk and took second on a single by Joyce before Guthrie sandwiched two strikeouts around a fly ball by John Jaso.

Guthrie was more delighted about playing a part in beating the Rays than he was in earning a rare win.

“We matched up well at the plate, we pitched well and got some big hits,” the right-hander said. “It’s a nice series.”

Notes

• Rays OF Sam Fuld left in the fifth inning with a wrist injury.
• Tampa Bay recalled LHP Alex Torres from Triple-A Durham and purchased the contract of 1B Dan Johnson from Durham, giving the team 34 players in uniform.
• The Rays’ rotation for the Boston series: Jeremy Hellickson (12-10), James Shields (15-10), Jeff Niemann (10-7) and David Price (12-12). Tampa Bay has held the Red Sox to a .177 batting average, including .158 in Boston.
• Orioles CF Adam Jones (thumb) hopes to return Friday after missing a fifth straight start. He entered as a defensive replacement in the ninth.
• After a day off Thursday, the Orioles resume play Friday against another playoff hopeful, the Los Angeles Angels. Tommy Hunter (3-4) starts for Baltimore against Dan Haren (15-8).

BALTIMORE (AP) — The Tampa Bay Rays missed an opportunity to gain ground in the wild-card race, getting only three hits over seven innings against Jeremy Guthrie in a 6-2 loss to the Baltimore Orioles on Wednesday night.

After watching Boston lose to Toronto in an afternoon game, the Rays took the field with a chance to close within three games of the Red Sox in the AL wild-card hunt.

Instead, Tampa Bay lost its second straight to the last-place Orioles.

Next up for the Rays: Four games against the Red Sox at Fenway Park, beginning Thursday night. Tampa Bay swept a three-game series from Boston last weekend and is 9-5 against the Red Sox, including 4-1 on the road.

Guthrie (8-17), the major league leader in losses, tied a career high with 10 strikeouts. The right-hander gave up two runs to win a second consecutive start for the first time this season.

Guthrie improved to 6-10 lifetime against Tampa Bay, 2-3 this season. He also beat the Rays on opening day.

Jim Johnson worked the final two innings for his sixth save, the second in two nights.

Tampa Bay’s Wade Davis (10-9) gave up a three-run homer to Chris Davis and a solo shot to Nolan Reimold. Wade Davis, who allowed four runs and seven hits in 6 1-3 innings, is 4-1 in six career starts at Camden Yards.

Matt Wieters added a two-run shot in the eighth off Matt Moore, who was making his major league debut. It was Wieters’ 20th home run, the third in three games.

If the Rays fall short in their bid to reach the playoffs, they can blame either a 1-8 start or their 9-9 record against the Orioles, who are 14-33 against the rest of the AL East.

Guthrie retired the first eight batters before Reid Brignac singled in the third. Reimold opened the bottom half with his 10th home run, a low-flying line drive that glanced off the top of the left-field wall and into the seats.

The lead didn’t last long. Guthrie walked two of the first three batters in the fourth and Matt Joyce cleared the bases with a two-out double.

In the Baltimore half, Vladimir Guerrero beat out a slow roller to third, Wieters doubled and Chris Davis hit an opposite-field homer to left on an 0-2 pitch for a 4-2 lead.

Tampa Bay’s final threat against Guthrie came in the seventh. Johnny Damon drew a leadoff walk and took second on a single by Joyce before Guthrie sandwiched two strikeouts around a fly ball by John Jaso.

NOTES: Rays OF Sam Fuld left in the fifth inning with a wrist injury. … Tampa Bay recalled LHP Alex Torres from Triple-A Durham and purchased the contract of 1B Dan Johnson from Durham, giving the team 34 players in uniform. … The Rays’ rotation for the Boston series: Jeremy Hellickson (12-10), James Shields (15-10), Jeff Niemann (10-7) and David Price (12-12). Tampa Bay has held the Red Sox to a .177 batting average, including .158 in Boston. … Orioles CF Adam Jones (thumb) hopes to return Friday after missing a fifth straight start. He entered as a defensive replacement in the ninth. … After a day off Thursday, the Orioles resume play Friday against another playoff hopeful, the Los Angeles Angels. Tommy Hunter (3-4) starts for Baltimore against Dan Haren (15-8).

BALTIMORE (Reuters) – The Tampa Bay Rays have transformed from postseason afterthought to serious contender in under two weeks and manager Joe Maddon says the club already has a playoff mentality heading into a critical series against the Boston Red Sox.

Tampa Bay had its five-game win streak snapped in Tuesday’s 4-2 loss to the Baltimore Orioles and now trail Boston by four games in the chase for the American League wild card.

But just 11 days ago, that deficit was nine games.

“We’re in the playoffs already,” he said. “We began our playoffs on September 9 on Friday night at home versus the Red Sox (a 7-2 win). “That began our playoffs.

“And now we have to keep that mentality for the next two months. We’re capable of doing that.”

Beginning with a September 3 victory over Baltimore, Tampa Bay has won eight of 10 and is chasing a Red Sox club stumbling down the homestretch.

Rays third baseman Evan Longoria said playing in a division with the Red Sox and New York Yankees lends itself to playing outside of the spotlight, a situation he enjoys.

“This is what we hoped for,” he said. “We wanted to be in a position at the end of the year where we have a chance to make the playoffs and fly under the radar the whole time.

“The Yankees and Red Sox are going to get the majority of the attention and rightfully so. But our goal all along is to control what we can and play meaningful games in September.”

The Rays have the top defense and earned-run average in the American League, a dangerous combination in the postseason.

“Everybody understands that if this team does get into the playoffs, there’s not a lot of teams that match up very well against our pitching staff in a five- or seven-game series,” added Longoria.

“The word is if we make the playoffs we’re going to be tough to beat. But we have to make it first. It’s not going to be easy.

“The Red Sox and Yankees are experienced ball clubs that know how to win these situations. We’re still the underdog. We still have a ways to go. But I like our chances.”

New York has a four-game lead on the Red Sox in the AL East. Tampa Bay concludes its three-game set against Baltimore Wednesday before heading to Boston for a possible make-or-break four-game series beginning Thursday.

After Boston, the Rays visit Yankee Stadium for a four-game set against the division leaders. It is a daunting schedule but the Rays are playing their best ball at the right time.

“We’re rolling on all cylinders now, from top to bottom,” said Rays outfielder Johnny Damon. “We’re making things happen. Hopefully, we can continue to be a top story out there.

“Every game right now is a make-or-break for us. We know the importance of laying it out there.”

(Editing by Frank Pingue)

By Shaun Al-Shatti

– Contributor

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Sep 13, 2011 – After frantically making up five games in five days in their last-second push to catch the wildcard-leading Boston Red Sox, the Tampa Bay Rays probably figured Tuesday night would offer a break. Facing soft-throwing righthander Alfredo Simon and a Baltimore Orioles team mired in a three-game slump, the matchup seemed like a mere formality. But as the old saying goes, that’s why they play the games.

Simon pitched one of his best games of the season and Orioles catcher Matt Wieter broke a 2-2 tie in the bottom of the eighth with a two-run bomb off J.P. Howell to crash the Rays back to Earth with a surprising 4-2 loss. Troy Patton and Jim Johnson slammed the door with a perfect ninth inning, sending the Rays to four games in back of the Red Sox after Boston’s dominant victory over Toronto.

Rays third basemen Evan Longoria nailed a two-run homer to deep left field in the sixth, but that would be all Tampa Bay could muster as the team abandoned 12 runners on base. 

Simon pitched seven innings of two-run ball with a season-high nine strikeouts in the no-decision. Rays ace David Price fared equally well, giving up two runs and four hits over six-and-two-thirds innings.

The division rivals cap their three-game series on Wednesday, as Wade Davis (10-8, 4.36) takes on Jeremy Guthrie (7-17, 4.29). First pitch is at 7:05 p.m. ET.

Read More: Alfredo Simon (P – BAL), Tampa Bay Rays, Boston Red Sox

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