Peralta doing just fine in closer role

Manager Joe Maddon has never called Kyle Farnsworth his closer, so don't expect Maddon to refer to Joel Peralta as his back-up closer.

Maddon will admit that in a perfect world, he would save Peralta for the ninth, though Maddon quickly adds he won't hesitate to use Peralta in the eighth if the situation arises.

Maddon's world turned perfect Saturday after rookie Matt Moore created quite the bridge from starter Jeff Niemann, who went five innings, to the ninth, when Maddon called on Peralta to shut the door on the Rays' 4-3 victory.

Energized by the sold-out ballpark that screamed with every pitch, Peralta struck out two before he allowed a single to Mike Aviles and a stolen base to pinch-runner Joey Gathright. But he finished the job.

It was Peralta's fourth save of the season and second since Farnsworth went on the shelf a week ago with a tender right elbow.

"Joel has been an unsung hero this season," Maddon said.

Peralta is tied for second in the American League with 67 appearances, picking up outs everywhere between the sixth and ninth innings.

Even with Gathright, the former Devil Ray at second, Maddon was confident Peralta could finish the job because his fastball was topping out at 92 mph.

"That's the top side," Maddon said, "and everything works off of that. So when I saw that I felt very good."

Back to 3 back

Saturday's victory moved the Rays to within three games of the Red Sox in the wild-card standings for the third time, and once again, fueled the Rays' confidence that they can run down their division rivals for the final playoff spot in the American League.

"If we got three out of four (today), I'll take it," Maddon said.

A win this afternoon in the finale of, not only this four-game series at Fenway Park but also the seven games in 10 days between the teams, the Rays will trail by two with 10 games to play.

That's an incredible position for a team that was nine games behind the Red Sox on Sept. 2.

"We got to come back (today) and try to get another one and pick up a game. But we have a tough run," Peralta said.

Indeed. On Tuesday in New York, the Rays begin a stretch of seven games in nine days with the Yankees.

"The only thing we can control is to try and win games," Peralta said. "That's the only way we can catch them."

Time for Price

David Price finally gets a shot at the Red Sox, when he faces them this afternoon during the last game of this series.

Price, 3-1 in four starts against the Red Sox this season, is 3-0 in three career starts at Fenway Park.

"I feel good about it," Price said. "I like pitching here, I like pitching against those guys. They have a tough lineup and they make it tough on pitchers, but I've thrown the ball well against them and I look forward to throwing the ball well against them (today)."

Strike zone revisited

Maddon stood by the comments he made following Friday's 4-3 loss regarding home plate umpire Hunter Wendelstedt's strike zone, which Maddon called "egregious" and "one-sided."

Maddon, who was ejected from the game, wasn't sure if those comments would cost him a fine.

"I have no idea. I really don't," he said. "I guess I'll find out soon enough."

Maddon also scoffed at the theory that the umpires are working with Fox to prevent the Rays from reaching the postseason, because Fox doesn't want to take a hit in the TV ratings.

"I never, ever, ever even formulated that thought personally," Maddon said. "I have not. I can't go there."

Noteworthy

Dr. Koco Eaton was in Boston to check on Farnsworth (right elbow strain) and Sam Fuld (strain tendon in right wrist). Both received good news. Farnsworth will throw today, and Fuld was told he will be able to hit again this season, though not for a few days. … SS Sean Rodriguez left Saturday's game in the sixth inning when his sore lower back tightened up. Rodriguez said it was precautionary. … Ben Zobrist hit his first home run since Aug. 3. … Jeff Niemann has won eight of his last nine road starts. … Desmond Jennings has scored at least two runs in each of his past five games against the Red Sox to match the longest streak against Boston since 1919. … Evan Longoria has 13 RBIs against Boston this season and a major league-high 57 against the Red Sox since 2008.

Roger Mooney