The story of this game was the pitching, specifically, the starting pitching. For the Tampa Bay Rays, Ryan Pepiot was great, turning in 6.2 scoreless frames, allowing just a pair of hits in the process. For the Houston Astros, Framber Valdez was somehow even better. The right-hander tossed a complete game, allowing just one run on three hits. He struck out nine and walked one. And, he did all of that with just 83 pitches, 59 of which he threw for strikes.
The only run Valdez surrendered was on the second pitch of the game. Jose Caballero jumped on an elevated sinker who lined it over the wall in left field to give the Rays an early 1-0 advantage.
The starting pitchers combined to record 47 outs. they were efficient, sharp, and dominant over stretches of batters. If you like pitching, the matchup was a joy to watch, and a rarity in today’s game.
Following Pepiot’s departure after allowing a two-out single to Yainer Diaz. Kevin Kelly followed and struck out Cam Smith to end the seventh.
Kelly got the eighth and well and allowed a leadoff double to Jake Meyers. Dezenzo then singled up the middle on a ground ball up the middle. Ranging behind second base, Mead gathered the grounder and attempted to make a jump throw first base. The throw was offline and Aranda was unable to keep it front allowing the ball to get away and Meyers to score easily. The game was tied at 1-1.
The Rays did generate some noise in the top of the ninth. After a one-out single by Walls and subsequent dash for second on a wild pitch, The rays quickly had a runner in scoring position. Caballero walked setting up runners on first and second for Yandy Diaz. To avoid the double play, the Rays out on the double steal, but Walls was thrown out at third by the narrowest of margins. With two outs, Diaz grounded to short to end the inning.
Three batters later, the game was over. Following back to back strikeouts for Cleavinger in the ninth, Yainer Diaz launched a ball to right field and sent the Astros home with a 2-1 win.
Quick Notes:
For Pepiot, this marked his seventh quality start in his last eight games started. His ERA now sits at 3.21. Mangum went hitless in his return to the roster.The only other Ray to record a hit was Aranda. Jansen struck out three times. Rays pitching kept the 2-3-4 hitters of the Astros quiet as Paredes, Altuve, and Walker combined to go 1-12 with 7 Ks.
Tomorrow, the Rays will look to guarantee at least a split of this four game set in Houston and will send Littell to the bump opposite Colton Gordon, who will be making his fourth start of the year. Through three starts the LHP has thrown 14.2 innings, struck out 14 batters, and has pitched to a 5.52 ERA.
