BOSTON — Daniel Nava hadn’t started for the Rays in weeks. He hadn’t played in a game in nearly a week.
But he was in the lineup Wednesday, a left-handed bat against Red Sox righty Rick Porcello.
“It seemed right to let him have this opportunity,” Rays manager Kevin Cash said before the game.
The ex-Red Sox took advantage of the opportunity with a two-out RBI single in the seventh inning for the first run in what became a 6-2 Rays victory.
Drew Smyly turned in another scoreless outing — his fourth in eight starts since returning from the disabled list.