If the Rays fail to make the playoffs, there will be a lot of reasons.
Chief among those may be the team’s inability to play in extra innings.
The Rays lost their second extra inning game in two nights to Houston. The Rays, now two games under .500 on the season, lost a 3-2 game to the Houston Astros in 13 innings Wednesday — lowering the team’s record to 2-10 in extra innings this season. Carlos Correa knocked in the winning run with a single to right field. It was the Rays’ 10th walkoff loss of the season; the club record is 11 in 2002.
Tampa Bay led 2-1 going into the bottom of the ninth, but once again, closer Brad Boxberger failed to slam the door. He gave up a run-tying single to Evan Gattis. Boxberger blew his fourth save of the year to go with nine losses. Boxberger’s six walk-off losses (Wednesday’s game wasn’t one of those) are the most in the majors in six years.
The Rays had a chance to pad their lead in the eighth, but manager Kevin Cash said he did not consider pinch-running for catcher Curt Casali, who was unable to score from second on a single by Evan Longoria.
Brandon Guyer had three hits for the Rays. Nathan Karns allowed only one run.
The Rays send Chris Archer to the mound tonight.
