SUNDAY GAME NOTES

Last night, Boston hitters assaulted the Tropicana Field outfield seats as they slugged five homers, including two from David Ortiz who reached 500 for his career. Although Ortiz has had a controversial career and a storied past when it comes to the Rays, 500 career home runs is quite the accomplishment. The Rays for their part, added two homers of their own as John Jaso and Richie Shaffer each connected, Shaffer going the opposite way for the second time this year.

Also, Luke Maile collected his first major league hit last night, meanwhile Humberto Quintero is somewhere in obscurity after the Triple-A season ended.

Today, the Rays hope to take the series finale against the Red Sox, and they'll have to do it against Rich Hill, who will be making his first appearance in the majors since last September.

Today's Starting Pitchers:

Smyly struggled his last time out, again struggling to stay consistent since his return from the DL in mid-August. He only managed to go five innings against Detroit. The Tigers were able to get to Smyly for four runs on seven hits, including homers from Rajai Davis and James McCann. Smyly also walked one and struck out three. Since his return, Smyly has struggled to keep the ball in the ballpark, as he has allowed a homer about once every six innings.

Rich Hill Scouting Report:

Hill has spent his career journeying around the league from to team, spending time with their various minor league affiliates. He has been hampered by injuries throughout his career, and was converted into a reliever a few years ago. In fact, his last actual start was with the Red Sox organization back in 2012. Since then, he has spent time with Boston, Cleveland, Los Angeles, New York, and then with Washington during this year.

Hill last threw a major league pitch last year on September 23rd against the Orioles. Hill spent the final half of 2014 with the Yankees, then he was picked up by the Nationals for 2015. Hill spent half the season with Washington's Triple-A affiliate, and was used out the pen. He was released in June, then Boston picked him up and converted him back into a starter in mid-August. He'll be making his return to the major leagues, later today.

September 13th in Rays History:

• They are 3-14 all-time on this date
• 2002 - Although this team was easily the worst in franchise history, they did somehow turn the team's first ever triple play, as the all-star trio of Andy Sheets, Chris Gomez, and Aubrey Huff combined to accomplish the feat.

• 2008 - The Rays came close to sweeping the Yankees in a double header as James Shields pitched a magnificent game one en route to a 7-1 victory, but the bullpen and some sloppy defense could not secure the second game as New York took a 6-5 victory.

• 2009 - For the second year in a row, the Rays engaged in a double header, however they continued their slide in the month of September losing both games, making it 11 straight losses. They were shutout by Jon Lester and Billy Wagner in the second game.

• 2010 - A game that featured a beautiful pitching duel between CC Sabathia and David Price as both started each went eight innings and both gave up three hits or less. The game would remain scoreless, until the bottom of the 11th, when Reid Brignac stepped in took Sergio Mitre to a full count, then deposited the next pitch into the right field seats for a walkoff home run, keeping the Rays in first place for the division.

• 2012 - In a game that required 14 innings, the Rays turned to rookie Chris Archer in the 11th. Archer pitched decently and even escaped a no-outs bases loaded situation in the 13th, unfortunately the Orioles would walkoff the following inning after Manny Machado swung 3-0 and singled home a runner.

• 2013 - Chris Archer, along with Jake McGee, Joel Peralta, and Fernando Rodney combine to shutout the Twins on only five hits racking up a total of 11 strikeouts.