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Tampa Bay Rays' Evan Longoria hits a fourth inning double against the Kansas City Royals and later scores on a force out by Willy Aybar during their MLB American League baseball game in Kansas City, Missouri July 26, 2008. The Tampa Bay Rays are facing their first pennant race test earlier than expected, having to deal with the loss of two All Stars before meeting big rivals Boston and New York in September. REUTERS/Dave Kaup

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The Tampa Bay Rays are facing their first pennant race test earlier than expected, having to deal with the loss of two All Stars before meeting big rivals Boston and New York in September.

Rookie All Star third baseman Evan Longoria joined twice All Star Carl Crawford on the disabled list on Monday night with a fractured right wrist after being hit by a pitch in a game against the Seattle Mariners.

So far, Tampa Bay has bounced back with three wins in a row to improve to 71-46, setting a club record for wins by easily eclipsing their previous best of 70-91 in 2004.

The Rays, perennial cellar dwellers since entering the American League in 1998, have blossomed this season and built a surprising four-game lead over the World Series champion Red Sox and a hefty nine-game edge over the Yankees.

"Obviously, it's a step back," Rays vice president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said on Monday in a conference call.

"But that's just going to put a little more added pressure on doing things right ... Our strong belief is there will be guys who really step up during this time period."

CRUCIAL WEEKS

The rest of August may be crucial to the Rays, who play AL West opponents and weaker divisional rivals in Baltimore and Toronto before the September stretch drive.

Tampa Bay take on the Yankees and Red Sox 12 times in their first 15 games of the final month of the season in the race for their first taste of postseason play.

Hard-throwing lefty Scott Kazmir (8-5) takes the mound to open their three-game series on Tuesday in Oakland against the A's, who counter with rookie left-hander Gio Gonzalez (0-1).

The Rays are hopeful that power-hitting Longoria, 22, will be able to return by the end of the month. Crawford's prognosis is less optimistic.

Since being called up to play for the Rays on April 12, Longoria had played 104 consecutive games prior to the injury, and led the team in home runs (22) and runs batted in (71).

Crawford was hitting .273 with eight home runs and 57 RBIs and had stolen 25 bases before he injured the tendon at the base of the middle finger of his right hand trying to check his swing in a game the weekend before.

Willy Aybar is expected to fill in for Longoria at third. Tampa called up Justin Ruggiano from Triple A Durham to replace Longoria on the roster and help bolster the outfield.

"Where we are in the standings isn't because of any one player," Friedman said. "So this is certainly a challenge for us. But we have great confidence in the guys we do have."

(Editing by Rex Gowar)