ST. PETERSBURG — Though the Rays are sitting in a position of power atop the American League standings, there has been considerable speculation about what players could be added by Monday’s trade deadline to help their cause, with reciprocative moves needed to make room.
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Manager Kevin Cash said before Saturday’s game that he was pleased with the how the players were handling the situation as the deadline nears, which they showed with a 1-0 win over the White Sox.
“I think our guys have done a tremendous job of focusing on the task at hand, whether it was the Rangers (in the last series) and now certainly the White Sox,” Cash said.
“And knowing that we’ve just got to continue playing good baseball. This is a very good team with a bunch of good players. We like this team, and they know when (a game) like (Friday) night happens, where you come out losing, they’re that much more motivated to come into (Saturday) to try to settle up and even up the series.”
The Rays (65-45) did that by the slimmest of margins Saturday to win Game 2 of the series between the AL East and Central division leaders.
Drew Rasmussen delivered another dominant outing, striking out 10 over six shutout innings, scattering four hits, escaping the little trouble he had. Relievers Cam Booser, Kevin Kelly, Garrett Cleavinger and Bryan Baker, who picked up his majors-leading 31st save, took it from there.
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The Rays got on the board in the fifth.
Jonny DeLuca led off with a single, stole second, went to third on a one-out grounder to first by Ben Williamson and scored on a two-out single by Nick Fortes.
Both DeLuca and Fortes lent a had defensively as well.
Fortes caught Sam Antonacci stealing after he started the game with a walk. DeLuca made a diving catch in center with one on in the fourth.
Saturday’s win was their fourth shutout victory over the first eight games of a homestand that ends Sunday and second by a 1-0 score.
The Rays and White Sox wrap up the series with a 1:40 p.m. game Sunday, then the Rays fly to Denver to start a nine-game, 10-day trip.
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