The Rays escaped from St. Louis with a win. Although the Rays offensive production was impressive — 11 runs, 17 hits and 4 walks — there was not one minute when this win felt assured.
The Rays started out with the lead.
After having been no-hit for six innings yesterday, the Rays were able to put up three runs in the second inning on a combination of hard hit doubles and singles. Chandler Simpson got the inning going with a single, he was driven in by Johnny DeLuca’s double. DeLuca scored on a passed ball, and then Carson Williams (double) and Yandy Diaz (single) combined for another run.
Steve Matz, one-time Mets and Cardinals pitcher signed this winter as a free agent, got the start for the Rays. He was perfect, and impressive, for the first two innings. In the third, he gave up a smashed double (115 mph) double to Jordan Walker. Walker scored on what was ruled a single with a throwing error, but it was a slightly bloopy softly hit ball that Palacios had trouble handling. He rushed his throw to first and sent it sailing, which allowed Walker to score, making the score 3-1.
The top of the fourth inning seemed to go quietly for the Rays, with two quick outs. But then Hunter Feduccia drew a walk (even after losing a challenge on a called strike), Red Hot Yandy smoked a left field double to drive him home, and Jonathan Aranda decided to make things symmetrical with a double to right field (Yandy scored) and Cedric Mullins said “that looks like fun” and also hit a run-scoring double, to make the score 6-1.
Things fell apart for Matz rather quickly, however, in the bottom of the fourth inning. A walk and a single didn’t seem too problematic, but then, as the pitch count mounted, Matz threw one too many over-the-plate change ups and Walker smacked the last of those into the stand for a three run homer, making the score 6-4. The Cardinals got two men on base once more in the fifth, but thanks to a double play neither runner scored.
This meant, however, that as of the sixth inning we got the Rays Bullpen Adventure. Kevin Kelly came in and promptly gave up a leadoff double. The runner advanced to third on a fly ball to center, and it was fortunate that Cedric Mullins caught that fly ball at all.
Garrett Cleavinger also allowed a hard hit lead off hit in the seventh, although this one held to a single. He then managed to load the bases — no comfortable, quick inning for our guys! — before getting out of the jam.
The Rays were able to score again in the eighth inning, facing rookie (making his major league debut) Matt Pushard. After a single, a walk, and a wild pitch Yandy was able to drive home a run with a bloop single (I guess he got tired of smoking the ball and decided to try some soft contact). Aranda singled home another run. Run number 9 came courtesy of Mullins’ sac fly to center.
Mason Englert came in, then, with the benefit of a five run lead, and did whatever he did to give it back. A solo home run by Nolan Gorman was followed by a single, followed by a two-run homer and we were back to a two-run lead — which we know is not NEARLY big enough.
The Rays offense, having seen what the bullpen can do, added on in the ninth. After a couple of hits put Simpson on third, Carson Williams put down a perfect bunt hit to score him (for the record, I’m largely a “don’t bunt” person but there’s a “speedy guy on third and needing an insurance run” exception.) 10-7.
Yandy went back the the “hit it soft” approach and his “excuse-me” swing ended up acting as a kind of bunt, scoring Williamson and putting leaving him with an infield single.
That meant the Rays had a four run lead and all we needed was a reliever to who could get three outs. Bonus if he could do it without first loading the bases. And in walks Bryan Baker. Three weak contact outs and, miraculously, the game ended with the Rays lead in tact.
As we savor this win, let’s look at the positives. Matz was really good for three innings. I think he can build on that moving forward. Yandy is red hot — five hits and four RBI today. Aranda and DeLuca had multi hit days, and look locked in.
On to Milwaukee for a weekday series.
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