BOSTON – The Rays love Chandler Simpson’s bat-to-ball skills for good reason.
Entering Thursday’s action, among the 332 hitters with at least 100 swings, his 10.9 percent whiff rate was fifth-lowest, trailing only Cleveland’s Steven Kwan, San Francisco’s Luis Arráez, Miami’s Liam Hicks and Chicago’s Nico Hoerner.
That’s what you call putting the ball in play.
Simpson’s prowess in the batter’s box came in handy as a pinch-hitter in the sixth inning as he helped Tampa Bay defeat the Red Sox, 8-4, at Fenway Park. The Rays have won seven straight games and 13 of their last 14 contests.
With the bases loaded and the score tied at 3, Simpson entered the game for Nick Fortes against Boston right-hander Greg Weissert. The 25-year-old singled up the middle scoring Junior Caminero and Jonny DeLuca. Simpson has now hit safely in 29 of 37 games this season.
Two innings later, Simpson was at it again. With Red Sox righty Ryan Watson toeing the rubber, Simpson tripled to the right-field corner, scoring Ben Williamson.
Tampa Bay would add to its lead in the ninth when Caminero hit a two-run homer off Watson.
The Rays’ bullpen preserved their lead – Hunter Bigge earned the win, while Kevin Kelly, Garrett Cleavinger and Cole Sulser also held the Red Sox in check in the victory.