Rays tie franchise record with 21 players in one game

MIAMI -- Friday night's 10-9, 10-inning walk-off loss to the Marlins saw the Rays use 21 players, matching the most they have ever used in a game prior to Sept. 1, when Major League rosters can be expanded.

The Rays had used 21 players four times prior to Friday, the most recent on July 30, 2012, at Oakland in a 4-3 loss.

The only players not seeing action for the Rays vs. the Marlins were Nathan Karns, Jake Odorizzi, Chris Archer and Kevin Jepsen.

Had the game gone on much longer, Karns, who is scheduled to start Sunday, might have been pressed into action.

Karns noted that pitching coach Jim Hickey "came up to me and was like, 'Hey, we've got Jepsen and Box [Brad Boxberger] left. They can't go all night. If it gets to that point, we're going to have to use you."

The catching duties brought another interesting scenario. Backup catcher Bobby Wilson took over for Rene Rivera in the ninth, which made Logan Forsythe the emergency catcher.

"Last time I caught was back in college," Forsythe said. "I haven't done any [bullpen sessions] or anything of that nature. ... I'd be comfortable enough. I'd be able to receive the ball decent.

"I wouldn't have a problem getting behind the plate. I think the biggest thing there is like knowing the pitchers and how their ball moves."