Catching Some Rays- 5/15-5/21

As one stand comes to an end, another one is set to begin. After spending all of last week on the road, the Rays just had one more stop on their road trip before they got to head home to start a long homestand. The final stop would keep them in New York to play the Mets after playing the Yankees over the weekend. They would then head home to start a ten-game homestand with the NL Central-leading Milwaukee Brewers. The Rays really needed a strong series against the Mets to salvage a tough start to the road trip. 

Tuesday 5/16
Rays 8, Mets 5
WP- Yonny Chirinos (2-1), LP- Justin Verlander (1-2)

The Rays played the role of spoiler as they started their series against the Mets in Queens. Justin Verlander was making his first home start as a Met and the Rays didn't allow him to have a fun time. At the center of this was Isaac Paredes. He unleashed a three-run shot to open the scoring in the third and after Harold Ramirez drove in one more with a single in the fourth, Paredes hit a two-run shot in the fifth to make it 6-0. Brett Baty got one back for New York in the fifth with a solo home run but Jose Siri responded with a solo blast of his own to regain the six-run lead. Pete Alonso and Eduardo Escobar each hit two-run homers with a second Ramirez RBI single in between as the Rays took the first game of the series, 8-5.  
Player of the Game- Isaac Paredes (TB) (2-for-3, 2 runs, 2 home runs, 5 RBIs, 1 walk, 1 HBP)

Wednesday 5/17
Mets 8, Rays 7 (10)
WP- David Robertson (1-0), LP- Pete Fairbanks (0-1)

The Rays looked like they were well on their way to taking this second game and this series. Unfortunately, a very concerning trend would arise. Isaac Paredes continued his great series with an RBI double in the fourth and the lead would sit at one run until Jose Siri hit his second home run of the series in the seventh. Matt Vientos would tie it up in the bottom of the seventh with a two-run shot but the Rays would retake the lead with a Brandon Lowe two-run home run in the eighth. Randy Arozarena would add to the lead with an RBI single in the ninth to make it 5-2 as the Rays sat three outs away from a win. Francisco Alvarez had other plans as he hit a three-run home run in the bottom of the ninth to tie the game again and send it to extra innings. Harold Ramirez and Josh Lowe each hit RBI singles in the tenth to once again put the Rays on the verge of a victory. The good feeling wasn't meant to last as Pete Alonso clubbed a walk-off three-run home run to send the fans home happy. The late-game heroics overshadowed a strong start from Kodai Senga, highlighted by 12 strikeouts in six innings of work. 
Player of the Game- Kodai Senga (NYM) (6.0 innings, 3 hits, 1 run, 3 walks, 12 strikeouts)

Thursday 5/18
Mets 3, Rays 2
WP- Tyler Megill (5-2), LP- Zach Littell (0-1), SV- David Robertson (8)

With their recent injuries, Taj Bradley was called upon to try and earn the series win. Harold Ramirez put the Rays ahead early by driving in a run on a fielder's choice in the first. Brett Baty tied it up in the first with an RBI groundout and Pete Alonso hit his third home run of the series with a solo home run in the fourth. Josh Lowe hit another home run in the sixth inning to tie the game again but a Tommy Pham single would give the Mets the lead for good as they took the rubber match and the series. Both Bradley and Tyler Megill put together similar starts and while Megill pitched one more inning, both starters allowed two runs and struck out four batters. 
Player of the Game- Tyler Megill (NYM) (6.0 innings, 4 hits, 2 runs, 1 walk, 4 strikeouts) 

Series Review
  • The Mets beat the Rays, 2-1
  • The Rays outscored the Mets, 17-16
  • The Rays finished their road trip 4-6 (1-2 v. BAL, 2-2 v. NYY, 1-2 v. NYM)
  • Series MVP- Isaac Paredes (4-for-11, 2 runs, 1 double, 2 home runs, 6 RBIs, 1 walk, 1 hit by pitch)
Friday 5/19
Rays 1, Brewers 0
WP- Jason Adam (1-1), LP- Peter Strzelecki (2-3), SV- Pete Fairbanks (4)

A Shane McClanahan start is always a fun day for the Rays as the Tropicana crowd welcomed their team home. For as strong as the offense has been for the Rays this season, the defense was the story of the game. Josh Lowe gunned down former Ray Willy Adames at third base in the second inning as he tried to tag up and advance. Jose Siri made a great catch in center field with his cheat sheet in his hand. Things were going great for the Rays on defense but the offense couldn't figure out Adrian Houser. The Brewers' starter allowed just four hits and walked one batter over six strong innings. Not to be outdone, McClanahan had one of his best starts of the season, completing seven shutout innings and striking out seven. While it took forever for it to come, Francisco Mejia would hit a sac fly in the eighth inning to break the scoreless tie. Pete Fairbanks came in and shut the door in the ninth as the Rays started the series on the right foot. 
Player of the Game- Shane McClanahan (TB) (7.0 innings, 6 hits, 0 runs, 1 walk, 7 strikeouts)

Saturday 5/20
Rays 8, Brewers 4
WP- Zach Eflin (6-1), LP- Eric Lauer (4-5), SV- Jason Adam (6)

On the heels of a strong start from their ace, the Rays sent Zach Eflin out to try and win the series. Harold Ramirez stayed hot with a solo home run in the first and Yandy Diaz returned to the lineup by hitting a three-run shot in the second to put the Rays up 4-0 early. Milwaukee responded with a solo home run from Owen Miller and a two-run home run by Brian Anderson as the Rays carried a 4-3 lead into their turn in the fourth. Christian Bethancourt kept the home run parade going and Manuel Margot hit an RBI single in the fourth to push the lead to 6-3. Isaac Paredes and Taylor Walls each walked with the bases loaded in the seventh and while the Brewers got one back in the eighth, it was far from enough as the Rays cruised to an 8-4 victory. Eflin was solid again, making just two big mistakes over his seven innings of work as he struck out eight Brewers to earn his sixth win. 
Player of the Game- Yandy Diaz (TB) (3-for-4, 1 run, 1 home run, 3 RBIs)

Sunday 5/21
Brewers 6, Rays 4
WP- Freddy Peralta (5-3), LP- Cooper Criswell (0-1), SV- Devin Williams (7)

The sweep wouldn't be in the cards for the Rays as the Brewers managed to take the final game of the series. Willy Adames burnt his former team with a solo shot in the second and Rowdy Tellez knocked a two-run home run in the fourth to put the Brewers ahead early. Josh Lowe hit a three-run home run to tie things up in the fourth for the Rays but William Contreras hit a two-run shot in response in the fifth and Brian Anderson hit an RBI single to add to the lead. Lowe drove in his fourth run of the game in the eighth with a single but it wouldn't be enough for the Rays as the comeback wouldn't come to fruition.
Player of the Game- Rowdy Tellez (MIL) (1-for-2, 1 run, 1 home run, 2 RBIs, 2 walks)

Series Review
  • The Rays beat the Brewers, 2-1
  • The Rays outscored the Brewers, 13-10
  • Following Saturday's win, the Rays became the second team in the modern era to win 21 of their first 24 home games
  • Series MVP- Josh Lowe (4-for-8, 1 run, 1 home run, 4 RBIs, 2 stolen bases)
Injury Report & Other News
After leaving his second rehab start after just one inning, Tyler Glasnow was phenomenal this week. He made two starts, pitching four scoreless innings and striking out nine on Tuesday before pitching six innings and allowing just one run and striking out six on Sunday. Glasnow is likely to rejoin the team this coming week after one run in 13.1 innings while striking out 20 batters across four rehab starts. 

The Week Ahead
The homestand will continue for the Rays as they open the week with a four-game series against the Toronto Blue Jays. Toronto handed the Rays their first two losses of the season when they met up north in April. The homestand will end with the Dodgers coming in for a weekend three-game set. 

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