Shane Baz pinpointed a few minor issues in his last performance, and he was determined to correct them. He proved successful on Friday night, throwing an impressive seven innings to secure a tight 1-0 victory for the Rays over the Padres in San Diego.
This victory marked the Rays’ third consecutive win, tying their seasonal best and improving their record to 12-14.
After kicking off the season with three solid starts, Baz faced a tough outing last Saturday against the Yankees, where he was pulled in the fourth inning after allowing five runs, four hits, and four walks.
On Friday, however, Baz showcased his skills with seven shutout innings, allowing just four hits— all singles— along with one walk, a hit batter, and six strikeouts.
“His fastball-curveball combo was really effective, especially against a tough lineup,” praised Rays manager Kevin Cash.
“I’m truly impressed that Shane was able to bounce back. He had time to think about his last outing for about five or six days, and I know he was eager to perform well,” Cash added. “He kept it simple and delivered a fantastic performance for us.”
Manny Rodriguez and Garrett Cleavinger completed the game, taking care of the final two innings.
The Rays’ defensive play was crucial, especially at the game’s conclusion. The Padres had a runner on base when a third strike slipped past catcher Ben Rortvedt. Rookie rightfielder Kameron Misner made a sliding catch and threw to first to double off pinch-runner Mason McCoy, a call that was upheld after review.
“As I was heading out for the ninth, Cash said, ‘Make a play,’ and I focused on that,” Misner shared. “It felt awesome to come through.”
The Rays scored their lone run in the third inning, marking just the second time in ten games they managed to take the lead first.
Taylor Walls got things rolling with a grounder to short that caught the fielder off guard. Then, rookie Chandler Simpson laid down a bunt that pitcher Michael King couldn’t grab. Brandon Lowe followed up with a scorching single at 108.5 mph, moving Walls to third and loading the bases.
Yandy Diaz, fresh off two three-hit games, came through with a sacrifice fly, sending Walls home for the run.
Although the Rays boast the American League’s best .287 average with runners in scoring position, they couldn’t capitalize further, with Jonathan Aranda striking out and Christopher Morel popping out.
The team racked up 17 strikeouts on the night, tying for the most in a win during a nine-inning game and just two shy of their all-time record.
Before the game, Baz mentioned the team had a quick meeting to touch base on various topics, highlighting the calmness in the clubhouse. “There’s no panic here. It feels great to kick off the series with a win,” he said.
Next Game: Saturday at Padres
8:40 PM at Petco Park, San Diego
TV/Radio: FanDuel Sports Network Sun; 95.3-FM, 620-AM, 106.7-FM (Spanish)
Pitchers: Rays — RH Ryan Pepiot (1-3, 4.82); Padres — RH Dylan Cease (1-1, 6.04)
Info: raysbaseball.com
On Deck
Sunday: at Padres, 4:10 PM. Rays, RH Zack Littell (0-5, 5.28); Padres, RH Randy Vasquez (1-2, 3.97)
Monday: Off Day
Tuesday: vs. Royals, 7:05 PM. Rays, RH Taj Bradley (2-1, 5.08); Royals, TBA
Wednesday: vs. Royals, 7:05 PM. Rays, RH Drew Rasmussen (1-1, 2.10); Royals, TBA
Thursday: vs. Royals, 1:10 PM. Rays, RH Shane Baz (3-0, 2.45); Royals, TBA
Injury Update
• OF Jonny DeLuca (10-day, right shoulder strain)
• RHP Alex Faedo (60-day, right shoulder inflammation)
• RHP Kevin Kelly (15-day, left gluteal strain)
• INF Ha-Seong Kim (10-day, recovering from right shoulder surgery)
• LHP Nathan Lavender (60-day, recovering from left shoulder surgery)
• OF Josh Lowe (10-day, right oblique strain)
• OF Jake Mangum (10-day, left groin strain)
• LHP Shane McClanahan (15-day, left triceps nerve-related issue)
• INF/OF Richie Palacios (10-day, right knee sprain)
Conclusion
The Rays showcased resilience and teamwork in their latest win, signaling a potential turnaround in their season. Fans are eager to see how they continue in the upcoming games!
FAQs
1. Who stood out in the game against the Padres?
Shane Baz had a standout performance with seven shutout innings, strongly contributing to the win.
2. What are the Rays’ upcoming games?
The Rays will face the Padres in the next game on Saturday, followed by a series against the Royals.
3. Are there any key injuries in the team?
Yes, several players are on the injured list, including Jonny DeLuca and Alex Faedo.
