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 Arraez, Miami’s Liam Hicks and the Cubs' Nico Hoerner.
That’s what you call putting the ball in play.
“[Simpson] makes a lot of contact,” Rays manager Kevin Cash said. “It’s a simple path that he creates. There is a lot of length in the zone. It feels like he can hit everything and he can spoil really good pitches to lengthen out at-bats.”
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.
“It’s been great. Everybody is in a good mood. Good vibes,” Simpson said. “We have to continue to take it one day at a time. We have to continue to do the work before the game. Trust the process. That’s going to be mostly consistency."
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.
“I just made sure I was ready for any particular spot when [Cash] needed me. He always preaches that message. It could be anytime or anybody. Make sure you are ready for the at-bat,” Simpson said. “I was glad I was able to come through for the team.”
“It worked out in our favor. But anytime we have Chandler sitting on the bench, we know he is such a good player and weapon," Cash continued. "Weissert is so tough against the righties. [Ben Williamson’s] walk [before Simpson's at-bat] to load the bases was as big as Chandler coming off the bench ready to hit. Better matchup for Chandler just because Weissert is so tough on lefties.”
Two innings later, Simpson was at it again. With Red Sox righty Ryan Watson toeing the rubber, he tripled to the right-field corner, scoring Williamson.
Simpson appeared to be debating an inside-the-park homer.
“I’m definitely going to run out the box on anything I hit hard to the outfield and touched the grass,” Simpson said.
Simpson learned to put the ball in play by watching film of Arraez, Rod Carew and Tony Gwynn, saying he'd like to have the tools they have. So far, he has emulated them by slashing .313/.340/.361 with 12 stolen bases and 15 strikeouts this season.
“He is going to make some noise in this game for a long time,” said Rays teammate Griffin Jax. “It’s really exciting to see him grow into himself as a player. With that comes confidence and some energy. He is just a really fun player to watch.”
Tampa Bay added to its lead in the ninth when Caminero hit a two-run homer off Watson – his 10th of the season.
“He is one swing away from doing damage in just about every at-bat,” Cash said about Caminero. “The way he can make adjustments in-game. A very special young player."
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.