Mariners re-acquire Erasmo Ramirez from Rays for Steve Cishek

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Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Erasmo Ramirez reacts between pitches against the Seattle Mariners in the second inning of a baseball game Sunday, June 4, 2017, in Seattle. Photo: Associated Press/ (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

TIM BOOTH, AP Sports Writer

SEATTLE (AP) — The Tampa Bay Rays continue to bolster their bullpen for the pennant race, acquiring reliever Steve Cishek from the Seattle Mariners in exchange for versatile right-hander Erasmo Ramirez.

The #Mariners have acquired RHP Erasmo Ramirez from Tampa Bay in exchange for RHP Steve Cishek.

— Mariners PR (@MarinersPR) July 28, 2017

It was a surprising deal announced Friday by teams that are competing for the same thing, a wild card spot in the American League. Tampa Bay began the day with the second wild card spot in the AL, with Seattle 3 ½ games behind.

Cishek had appeared in 23 games this season for Seattle after recovering from major offseason hip surgery. Cishek was 1-1 with a 3.15 ERA, mostly working in the seventh and eighth innings out of Seattle’s bullpen. He was a closer in the past with the Marlins.

FEB 20 2017: The Seattle Mariners Major League Photo Day takes
place at the Peoria Sports Complex in Peoria, AZ. Photo: Jamie Schwaberow/Clarkson Creative via MarinersMedia.com

Ramirez has appeared in 26 games, with eight starts, for the Rays this year and was 4-3 with a 4.80 ERA. He was with the Mariners from 2012-14.

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