MIAMI — Jose Siri had himself quite a night in Tuesday’s 7-2 win over the Marlins.
He had a single, a double and a homer, making a run at the third cycle in Rays history. He scored three runs (showing his speed breaking for home on a contact play) and knocked in two. He threw out a runner at third. And he made a leaping catch just in front of the center-field wall.
It was by far his most impactful game for the Rays since being acquired from Houston on Aug. 1.
But the win had just as much do to the much less heralded efforts of Shawn Armstrong, who delivered three shutout innings to start the game on short notice.
The right-hander got word minutes before the game that scheduled starter Shane McClanahan was not able to make his start due to a left shoulder impingement, quickly warmed up and stepped in to put the Rays on the path to victory, allowing only three hits.
The win improved the Rays to 71-57, as they maintained their spot atop the three-team American League wild-card field. They have won eight of their last 10 games, 13 of 17 (with three one-run losses) and an American League-best 17 of 25 since Aug. 3.
With doubles by Siri and Yandy Diaz giving the Rays a 2-0 lead in the third inning, they ran through the bullpen, which was somewhat rested given Sunday’s light duty and Monday’s off-day.
JT Chargois and Brooks Raley each worked one inning, then Garrett Cleavinger 1 1/3 (allowing two runs) finishing the seventh. Pete Fairbanks worked the eighth and Colin Poche the ninth.
McClanahan halted his warmups minutes before game time, and Armstrong quickly got ready. That was the second change the Rays had to make to their original game plans — first baseman Isaac Paredes was scratched from the lineup due to left lower leg soreness and was replaced by Christian Bethancourt.
Diaz, who had two doubles, was checked by the Rays staff after hurting his right thumb sliding into second in the fifth, but stayed in. He was removed for a pinch-hitter in the seventh, but the Rays said that was not for medical reasons.
Siri finished the night 3 for 4, a triple short of the cycle. The two Rays to hit for the cycle in their 25-season history are BJ Upton (Oct. 2, 2009) and Evan Longoria (Aug. 1, 2017).
