Rays vs. Red Sox: Taylor Walls out, Wander Franco at shortstop

ST. PETERSBURG — Shortstop Taylor Walls was scratched from Wednesday’s lineup against the Red Sox due to a sore right wrist, with Wander Franco moving to shortstop and Brett Phillips going into the lineup in centerfield.

Manager Kevin Cash said Walls’ wrist had been sore for a few days, and he irritated it on a diving play Tuesday. But Cash also said the decision was made just to give him a day of rest, not that there is a concern of a more serious issue that would result in an injured list stint. Walls is available if needed tonight.

With their losing streak now at seven games, the Rays are looking to veteran lefty Rich Hill to right the ship tonight.

Hill has had his own struggles, allowing four runs and not lasting more than five innings in each of his past two starts, done in by one or two bad pitches.

Cash said the team and Hill need some things to go their way.

The Rays were buoyed on Tuesday by the addition of Franco, who had a three-run game-tying homer and a double, but they still lost 9-5 to Boston in 11 innings.

The Red Sox are starting right-hander Garrett Richards. First pitch is 7:10.

Here is the new Rays lineup:

And here is the Red Sox lineup:

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