ST. PETERSBURG -- Pitching and timely hitting go a long way. The Rays got both on Monday night at Tropicana Field in an 8-2 win over the Padres.
Drew Smyly allowed one run on one hit in seven innings to cover the pitching, while Logan Forsythe handled the early offense with his 15th home run of the season, a two-run shot in the second off Padres starter Luis Perdomo. The Rays put the game away with a five-run eighth that was highlighted by Kevin Kiermaier's three-run homer.
Once Rays manager Kevin Cash removed Smyly, the Rays' bullpen salted away the game, as Brad Boxberger pitched a scoreless eighth in advance of Kevin Jepsen getting the final three outs, despite surrendering a solo home run to Yangervis Solarte.