The Rays (79-64) needed a good game from Wade Davis tonight, and that's exactly what Davis gave them, twirling a complete game gem and beating the Boston Red Sox (85-59). The Rays, making a late season push for the AL Wild Card spot, need at least a series win against these Boston Red Sox, and Davis and John Jaso started the series right tonight.
Davis displayed uncommon command and control on the night, walking nary a Boston hitter and striking out eight. He allowed 6 hits to the New Englanders, but only a single extra-base hit -- a double by catcher Jerrod Saltalamacchia.
Offensively, left-handed catcher John Jaso led the Rays, clapping a crucial three-run homer in the second inning. Then, in the third, after Johnny Damon and Matt Joyce singled in runs, John Jaso crushed a liner at struggling pitcher John Lackey. The play went for an out, but Lackey went for shower afterwards with an apparent calf injury.
Then, in the bottom of the 6th, Jaso -- as hot as samurai sword in the kiln -- crushed another extra base hit, his 14th double of the season, to center field. Reid Brignac doubled to drive him in and then Evan Longoria ground-rule-doubled him home for the game's winning 7-2 score.
Now, just 5.5 games behind the Wild Card-leading Red Sox, the Rays send Rookie of the Year candidate Jeremy Hellickson to battle against top Red Sox prospect Kyle Weiland.