After a masterful performance by their bullpen last night, the Rays entered Friday night looking to win their second straight game over one of the top teams in the American League. Following an unexpected bullpen day during which the pen had to cover seven innings, the Rays were hoping for some length out of their starter, Zach Littell. He was able to provide just that and with just enough offense, the Rays were able to secure at minimum, a series split. Here is how it happened:
Littell got the start for the Rays opposite Guardians ace, Tanner Bibee. Both starters were good, but Littell was better and left with his seventh win of the year. While Bibee surrendered three runs over six innings of work, Littell tossed six shutout innings.
Littell’s final line was: 6 IP / 2 H / 0 R / 0 BB / 5 K
The Rays took an early lead in the top of the third inning thanks to a long shot off the bat of Logan Driscoll. Following a Jose Siri triple, Driscoll launch this first career blast 393 feet to right field to give the Rays an early 2-0 lead.
Technically, that would be all the run support the Rays staff would need, but Aranda added some insurance the following inning with a solo shot, his third blast of the year. The Ryas would take the 3-0 lead into the eighth inning.
Following a scoreless bottom of the seventh from Kevin Kelly, Mason Montgomery got the call in the eighth. The southpaw allowed the only Guardian run of the game off back to back doubles by Noel and a pinch-hitting Fry. He bounced back to strike out Rocchio, but was then relieved by Uceta.
With a man on second and one out, Uceta made quick work and escaped the eighth inning jam. He returned for the ninth and shut the door to earn his third save of the year. He had a pair of strikeouts in an inning and two thirds.
Some notes from the box score: Jose Lowe went 0-4 with 4 Ks. The combo of Aranda, Siri Driscoll, and Walls to round out the bottom of the order combined to go 5-14, scoring and driving in all three runs for the Rays. On the night (no shocker here), the Rays went just 1-6 with RISP. Siri tallied both a double and triple. Finally, Morel left the game with “right achilles discomfort” per Ryan bass of Bally Sports.
The win moved the Rays back to just two games under the .500 mark and they will enter Saturday with a chance to win their third straight and earn a series win.
