Miller launched yet another home run, his 25th of the season, Wednesday afternoon and the Rays got shutout pitching from Chris Archer to win 2-0.
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The Rays, who have struggled with runners in scoring position this season, got a clutch hit in the second inning from catcher Luke Maile, who had five RBIs in his first 19 games with the Rays this season.
Miller had a solo home run in the fourth off Jackson, and reliever Carlos Villanueva didn’t fare much better, giving up two-run homers in the fifth to Nick Franklin (his fourth) and Miller (24th) for a 12-1 lead. For the season, he’s 13th on the ESPN Player Rater, and, based on his ADP (260), has already surpassed his pre-season value.
Miller added a two-run homer in the fifth. 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.
Alexei Ramirez hit his fifth homer and Derek Norris walked twice, and those were the only baserunners against Smyly (5-11). Manager Kevin Cash said “it might have been the most impressive home run we’ve seen at this ballpark this year”.
Archer (7-16) allowed four hits and a walk.
Chris Archer and Brad Miller did almost all the work while the Tampa Bay Rays won their fourth straight. “I don’t think he could be a better face and ambassador for this organization”.
Kiermaier had a three-run drive in a five-run eighth that made it 8-1. The Padres’ plan is to “get him back on the mound before the year’s out”, manager Andy Green said. Green said Sardinas was obtained “with the intent of being one of the names we add to the mix, possibly playing shortstop for us in the future”.
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Padres: RHP Tyson Ross (right shoulder inflammation) will throw batting practice Tuesday. The Padres recalled RHP Kevin Quackenbush, who went to high school at Tampa Jesuit and played at USF, from Triple-A El Paso.
