Rays 2B Nick Franklin was forced to leave Wednesday’s game shortly after being hit on the helmet by a Kevin Kiermaier swing in the on-deck circle.
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Alexei Ramirez hit his fifth homer and Derek Norris walked twice, and those were the only baserunners against Smyly (5-11). Forsythe has been red-hot, with five home runs in his last nine games. Kiermaier was stretching a few feet in front of Franklin, swinging the bat over his head with one arm.
Franklin passed a concussion protocol test.
Appearing in his 33rd game of the 2016 regular season on Wednesday against the Padres, Franklin is now batting.295 with four home runs and 23 RBI to accompany his.368 on-base percentage. “Nick went to get some pine tar and I was already doing it, and I don’t think he saw me”.
“Partially it was my fault”, Franklin added.
After being checked by head athletic trainer Ron Porterfield, Franklin stayed in the game and drew a leadoff walk, then scored on Brad Miller’s two-out homer.
Tampa Bay became the majors’ last team to reach one million in home attendance this season with an announced crowd of 10,251. The Padres’ plan is to “get him back on the mound before the year’s out”, manager Andy Green said. OF Alex Dickerson (general soreness) was the designated hitter for the second straight game.
Archer struck out nine, including Myers three times, in 7 1/3 innings to help the Rays complete a three-game sweep. Duffy returned August 12 after missing two months with a strain in the same tendon.
“That was fun to watch, especially to have me in the dugout while they just keep scoring and scoring and scoring”, said winning pitcher Blake Snell. “Be smart about it”.
Longoria holds the franchise mark in a number of offensive categories including homers, RBIs and extra-base hits.
Rays: RHPs Alex Cobb (Triple-A Durham) and Chase Whitley (Class A Charlotte), both coming back from Tommy John surgery, will make their next rehab starts Tuesday. This was a great bounce-back performance from the 27 year-old, who got pounded for five runs across six innings by the New York Yankees during his last start.
Padres: RHP Paul Clemens (2-2) will go against Arizona RHP Archie Bradley (4-8) when San Diego opens a seven-game homestand Thursday night.
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Rays: RHP Matt Andriese (6-4) takes the hill Friday night against LHP Cole Hamels (12-4) and AL West-leading Texas.
