Rays get help from bottom of order as they move to verge of playoffs

Marc Topkin, Tampa Bay Times on Sep 9, 2026

Published in Baseball

By clicking submit, I authorize Arcamax and its affiliates to: (1) use, sell, and share my information for marketing purposes, including cross-context behavioral advertising, as described in our Privacy Policy , (2) add to information that I provide with other information like interests inferred from web page views, or data lawfully obtained from data brokers, such as past purchase or location data, or publicly available data, (3) contact me or enable others to contact me by email or other means with offers for different types of goods and services, and (4) retain my information while I am engaging with marketing messages that I receive and for a reasonable amount of time thereafter. I understand I can opt out at any time through an email that I receive, or by clicking here

ATLANTA — Much of the Rays’ success that has put them in position to clinch a playoff berth — with a little help — as soon as Thursday evening has, and will continue, to be tied to the hitters at the top of their order.

Yandy Diaz, Jonathan Aranda and Junior Caminero have the big numbers, the cool catchphrase bestowed by baseball operations president Erik Neander as “aircraft carrier-type” hitters and the credentials, with each having been an All-Star at least once in the last two years.

And trade-deadline acquisition Liam Hicks has proved to be a fitting addition, adding another power bat often slotted in behind the “Big Three.”

But there are days when the bottom half of the Tampa Bay lineup can, will and sometimes has to produce, as it did in Wednesday’s 7-2 win over the Braves.

The Nos. 5-9 hitters — Victor Mesa Jr., Chandler Simpson, Cedric Mullins, Richie Palacios and Jorge Mateo — were a combined 7 for 16, scoring six runs and driving in five.

That effort was complemented by a strong five-inning outing from starter Griffin Jax, who was much better than in his Sept. 2 return from the injured list.

As a result, the Rays improved their American League-leading record to 87-58 and maintained at least a four-game East Division lead over the Yankees, who were playing the Rockies.

Of more immediate concern, the Rays can clinch their first trip to the playoffs since 2023 with a third straight win over the Braves in their Thursday matinee series finale and a loss by the Rangers at Seattle.

But the Rays most likely won’t be in a position to celebrate.

Their game in Atlanta starts at 12:15 and should, barring a weather delay or a high number of extra innings, be over before the Rangers begin play at 4:10 (Eastern time), and they are not planning to spend hours in the Truist Park clubhouse waiting to see what happens.

Mesa got the Rays rolling on Wednesday, launching a one-out homer in the second. They added two more runs when Simpson, an Atlanta-area native playing at home for the first time, singled and was balked to second. Palacios walked, then he and Simpson pulled off a double steal. That mattered, as Mateo — who was released by the Braves in August, leading to him signing with the Rays — delivered a two-run single.

Mesa started another three-run rally in the fourth with a single. Simpson walked, then Cedric Mullins singled in a run and Palacios did the same. Mateo dropped a sacrifice bunt, and Diaz’s sac fly expanded the lead to 6-0.