After a masterful efficiency by their bullpen final evening, the Rays entered Friday evening trying to win their second straight sport over one of many prime groups within the American League. Following an surprising bullpen day throughout which the pen needed to cowl seven innings, the Rays had been hoping for some size out of their starter, Zach Littell. He was in a position to present simply that and with simply sufficient offense, the Rays had been in a position to safe at minimal, a sequence cut up. Right here is the way it occurred:
Littell bought the beginning for the Rays reverse Guardians ace, Tanner Bibee. Each starters had been good, however Littell was higher and left together with his seventh win of the yr. Whereas Bibee surrendered three runs over six innings of labor, Littell tossed six shutout innings.
Littell’s ultimate line was: 6 IP / 2 H / 0 R / 0 BB / 5 Ok
The Rays took an early lead within the prime of the third inning because of a protracted shot off the bat of Logan Driscoll. Following a Jose Siri triple, Driscoll launch this primary profession blast 393 toes to proper area to provide the Rays an early 2-0 lead.
Technically, that might be all of the run help the Rays employees would wish, however Aranda added some insurance coverage the next inning with a solo shot, his third blast of the yr. The Ryas would take the 3-0 lead into the eighth inning.
Following a scoreless backside of the seventh from Kevin Kelly, Mason Montgomery bought the decision within the eighth. The southpaw allowed the one Guardian run of the sport off again to again doubles by Noel and a pinch-hitting Fry. He bounced again to strike out Rocchio, however was then relieved by Uceta.
With a person on second and one out, Uceta made fast work and escaped the eighth inning jam. He returned for the ninth and shut the door to earn his third save of the yr. He had a pair of strikeouts in an inning and two thirds.
Some notes from the field rating: Jose Lowe went 0-4 with 4 Ks. The combo of Aranda, Siri Driscoll, and Partitions to spherical out the underside of the order mixed to go 5-14, scoring and driving in all three runs for the Rays. On the evening (no shocker right here), the Rays went simply 1-6 with RISP. Siri tallied each a double and triple. Lastly, Morel left the sport with “proper achilles discomfort” per Ryan bass of Bally Sports activities.
The win moved the Rays again to simply two video games beneath the .500 mark and they’re going to enter Saturday with an opportunity to win their third straight and earn a sequence win.