This game was two completely different viewing experiences. For the first five innings it was a pitcher’s duel, and despite an inconsistent strike zone, it was Drew Rasmussen who came out ahead. He struck out eight batters over five scoreless innings, bringing his stretch of strong outings to 23 innings without a run allowed.
The Rangers could not touch his fastball, with Rasmussen locating it all around the zone and fooling batters left and right. If memory serves, I believe the first six of his eight strikeouts were all fastballs the fooled these fellas.
Tampa Bay did get on the board in the first five frames, with Kameron Misner hitting a moonshot that the outfielder couldn’t even track.
Then things got exciting with a rain delay (which ended Rasmussen’s night at 77 pitches, the Rays took no chances) heading into the sixth inning.
After 17 minutes and a Brandon Lowe ground out, the Rays picked up a walk, single, and walk on Rangers starter Tyler Mahle, who was lifted for reliever Jacob Latz, and the Rays quickly scored three runs on a wild pitch…
An RBI single from Jake Mangum thanks to no one covering first due to action at the plate…
And a double steal of second and home that felt like a vintage Kevin Cash call, and that the record books rudely scored an error.
Fast forward a bit and Pete Fairbanks secured a four-run victory for the Rays on nine pitches, ending on a real web gem from Jonathan Aranda.
Game Notes
In the first inning, Caminero made a bare handed grab to gun down the runner at first base, with Yandy applying a sufficient tag upon review:
Mason Montgomery relieved Rasmussen in the sixth, picking up a strikeout, a single, and a fielder’s choice. Cash lifted him after three batters for Edwin Uceta, though, who struck out Wyatt Langford. Why not leave Montgomery in?
Rasmussen is on an historic streak:
Caminero hit a moon solo shot in the eighth well worth admiring (like he did from home plate). Mercy!
