The Tampa Bay Rays did it all Friday night and it worked in their favor.
Tampa Bay beat the Boston Red Sox 11-1 at Tropicana Field, a forged exit from Blake Snell, two Nate Lowe home runs and a fully left-handed lineup: the first time the major leagues saw a team do such a thing.
But it was Tampa’s pitch that was the most valuable player of the night, as it kept the Red Sox down to just one point in 11 hits.
After the game, Ron Roenicke had no compliments for the pitchers.
“His pitching is exceptional,” Roenicke said in Zoom. ” Your openers are good. Your relays are good. That’s what you do in an elite class. “
Roenicke’s not wrong. Tampa Bay is at the top of the East American League standings, four-and-a-half games against the Toronto Blue Jays, with a valid chance of winning the departmental title.
Here are some notes from Friday’s Red Sox-Rays game:
– Boston amassed 11 hits, but two went for additional bases.
The Red Sox didn’t climb the board until the ninth inning with a bleach.
– Speaking of closures, the Red Sox have not yet been closed this season.
However, they did whiten an opponent, who happens to be the Rays.
– Andrew Triggs pitched only one entry for the Red Sox and allowed a hit and a walk, so it was definitely a whim when he hadn’t come back for the second.
Roenicke revealed that the original plan was to stay with him longer, but Triggs pinched a nerve around his neck and needed to get out. Triggs will be evaluated on Saturday and a resolution will be made on whether he will be on the disabled list.
– Bobby Dalbec did not make a home run in his sixth consecutive game on Friday, however, he continued to be positive for the Red Sox.
The 25-year-old left 2 out of 3 with one and one DRIVEN.
– Rafael Devers continued his offensive explosion, going 2 out of four in the match.
– Some clever news on the pitching front for Boston: Nathan Eovaldi will return to the mound on Saturday after facing a calf cramp since last August.
Thumbnail photo Mary Holt / USA TODAY Sports Images