By Austin McNabb
In Game 163 and with the right to go to the AL playoffs, the Tampa Bay Rays looked to their ace, former Cy Young winner David Price, to carry their team into the postseason.
The Rays starting pitcher did just that as Tampa Bay beat the Texas Rangers 5-2 on Monday night at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington.
Despite having a 1-7 record against Texas, Price won by pitching a complete game, allowing two runs. The win sends the Rays to Cleveland for the AL Wild Card Game against the Indians Wednesday night.
After having a 2.36 ERA through August and September, Rangers starting pitcher Martin Perez gave up three runs, including a two-run home run by third baseman Eva Longoria in the third inning, through 5 1/3 innings. The other run came on a sacrifice fly by designated hitter Delmon Young in the first.
Texas got on the scoreboard with an RBI single by second baseman Ian Kinsler in the third inning. Rightfielder Alex Rios hit an RBI double in the sixth inning to score the Rangers’ only other run.
Leftfielders David DeJesus and Sam Fuld scored the Rays’ remaining runs. DeJesus hit an RBI double in the sixth inning to put the Rays up 4-1. In the ninth inning, Fuld scored while stealing third base on a throwing error by Rangers pitcher Tanner Scheppers on a pitch that went by third baseman Adrian Beltre that led Fuld to home plate. The insurance run put Tampa Bay up 5-2.
The Rangers missed the playoffs for the first time in four years, going 12-16 in September and losing both the AL West and wild-card lead.
The playoff berth sends Tampa Bay to the postseason for the fourth time in six years.
First pitch starts Wednesday night at 7:07 CDT on TBS at Progressive Field.
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