Longoria remains on-base machine
BALTIMORE -- Evan Longoria entered Friday night's game against the Orioles having reached base safely via a hit, walk, or hit-by-pitch in a Major League-high 39 games this season.
The Rays third baseman is one of only seven players in the 2000s to reach base safely in 39 of his team's first 40 games; no player in the 2000s has reached in his team's first 40 games.
Derek Jeter was the last player to reach safely in his team's first 40 games when he set a record in 1999 by reaching in the Yankees' first 53 games.
Only five players in the 2000s have reached in 40 of their team's first 41 games: Victor Martinez (Indians, 2009), Ryan Zimmerman (Nationals, '09), Carlos Beltran (Mets, '09) and Albert Pujols (Cardinals, '08).
Longoria has reached base in 53 of his last 54 games dating back to Sept. 19, 2012.