David Price, Evan Longoria Lead Rays into Playoffs with 4-2 Win at Texas

Players of the Day for Monday, September 30, 2013

American League

David Price

Tampa Bay put its best pitcher on the mound and defeated the Texas Rangers in a one-game tie-breaker, getting a seven-hit complete game from David Price while Evan Longoria went 3-for-4 to pace the Rays' offense in a 4-2 victory.

Evan Longoria

Price (10-8) threw 81 of 118 pitches for strikes, fanned four and walked one. Both runs were earned, the Rangers able to muster only single runs in the third and sixth innings.

Longoria singled, doubled and socked a two-run homer in the third inning, which gave the Rays a commanding 3-0 lead at the time, but the Rangers could not break through against Price, who was aided by stellar defensive play behind him.

Moving on to the wild card playoff Wednesday in Cleveland, the Rays have won nine of their last 11, while the Indians have won 10 straight.

Game time for the "win or go home" Wednesday night game in Cleveland is 8:07 pm EDT.

National League

There were no NL games on Monday. The Cincinnati Reds visit the Pittsburgh Pirates, Tuesday at 8:07 pm EDT. Johnny Cueto (5-2, 2.82) goes to the mound for the Reds against Francisco Liriano (16-8, 3.02) for the Pirates.

Today's Trivia: Who won the NL Cy Young award four straight years, from 1999 to 2002? (answer tomorrow)

Yesterday's Answer: Justin Verlander was AL Rookie of the Year in 2007 and won both the Cy Young and MVP awards in 2011.