Offense Stays Quiet, Rays Get Swept: Reds 2, Rays 1

This Sunday afternoon, the struggling Rays are looking to avoid the sweep in Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati.

Today’s series finale was headlined by Shane Baz, who has had his ups and downs; however, he has been better since dropping the slider and adding the cutter. On the other side, Brady Singer would get the ball, having struggled over the past seven games, recording a mediocre 5.97 ERA in 28.2 innings.

The game started with back-to-back singles by the top two guys on the Reds’ lineup, and after a slow roller to the left side of second base, Walls couldn’t quite make the play, and the Reds put the first one on the scoreboard.

Three pitches later Gavin Lux hit a slow grounder to first, but Aranda could not throw home. Reds lead 2-0 after just one inning.

After that long first inning of slow dribblers the offense stalled, and neither pitcher allowed a single run throughout the next six innings.

Singer was a little bit more effective than Baz as he got weak contact and quick outs. After five innings and 100 pitches, Baz’s day was over as he allowed two runs in five innings pitched. The two walks and numerous deep counts kept Baz from going any further into the game.

Nothing was clicking offensively for the Rays until the 8th inning after only three Rays had reached base, Taylor Walls got into a 1-1 breaking ball and deposited it into the right field seats. Yes you read that correctly, after almost eight innings Taylor Walls was the only piece of offense.

That was Brady Singer’s last batter as he allowed three hits and one run in 7.2 innings.

This time the bullpen did their job as they tossed three shutout innings, however the offense was not able to respond against the Reds’ pen. Ex-Ray Emilio Pagan retired the Rays in order in the 9th inning as the Reds win 2-1 and get the series sweep.

The Rays fall to 53-52 and will travel to the Big Apple as they face the Bronx Bombers for a 4-game series. Game time for tomorrow’s game is scheduled for 7:05 PM ET as 2025 All-Star Drew Rasmussen faces rookie flamethrower Cam Schlittler.