The Rays earned another key-victory to keep them in the AL Wildcard hunt.

words // Luis Sanchez

While the Tampa Bay Rays are surging with nothing on their mind but that AL Wildcard spot, the Boston Red Sox are quickly tumbling and are now deadlocked atop the Wildcard standings with one day left in the season. Possibly set to still be tied at the end of today, the Rays would host the Red Sox in a one-game tie breaker for the American league Wildcard.

FInally squeaking out a victory last night to keep their playoff hopes alive, the Red Sox were able to handle the Baltimore Orioles 8-7. Earning one of their very few victories this September, the Sox were led by the unlikeliest of heroes, rookie Ryan Lavarnway, who hit the first two home runs of his young MLB career.

As for the Rays, they’ve got nothing on their mind but the playoffs and no one is stopping them. Last night they continued their stellar play in September, earning a victory over the division champion New York Yankees, 5-3. One of the key-moments in last night’s playoff-like match-up was a rare triple-play, which helped the Rays get out of a tough bases-loaded jam in the 6th to keep the game close. After that, the Rays never looked back, taking the lead on a key three-run home run by Matt Joyce in the 7th inning off former-teammate Rafael Soriano.

Continue below for a look back at last night’s key match-ups in the AL Wildcard race as part of Eastbay’s latest MLB Watch.

Jonathan Papelbon took the mound with his usual mitt from Wilson.

Dustin Pedroia leaps and turns a double-play in his New Balance baseball cleats.

Sox rookie Ryan Lavarnway also hit the field in New Balance baseball cleats.

Marcus Scuttaro rounds the bases in the latest Nike baseball cleats.

Nick Markakis slides in safely with his Under Armour baseball cleats.

Carl Crawford took the field in his usual Jordan baseball cleats.

BJ stands at the plate to argue balls & strikes in the latest adidas baseball cleats.

Eduardo Nunez matched his classic Yankees uni with the latest Under Armour baseball cleats.

Johnny Damon takes a hack in a pair of Puma baseball cleats.

Russell Martin blasts a homerun in a PE pair of CP3 IV Jordan baseball cleats.