ST. PETERSBURG (SNN-TV) – In the second game of their four-game set with the L.A. Angels, the Rays looked to take sole possession of the top AL Wild Card spot.
Christian Bethancourt had two run-scoring hits in the same inning and later moved from behind the plate to the mound to pitch a scoreless ninth as the surging Rays beat the Angels 11-1 last night.
Bethancourt, has homered in a career-high three straight games after going deep just once over a 31-game stretch. He also was no ordinary position player pitching. His fastball topped out at 95 mph as he allowed two hits and struck out Luis Rengifo on 94mph pitch.
The Rays now own the top AL wild-card spot, and have won four straight and 10 of 12, and they moved a season-best 12 games over .500 with a 67-55 record.
As for tonight, the Rays send Shane McClanahan to the mound to face L.A.’s Mike Mayers. The Tampa left-hander has given up four runs over 13 innings in his previous two starts after a two-outing stretch where allowed nine runs in 10 2/3 innings. First pitch is set for 7:10pm.
