The 2024 iteration of the Tampa Bay Rays may not be the most talented, but man are they fun. It was two veteran starters on the mound on Saturday, Zach Eflin for the good guys and Kevin Gausman for the Blue Jays, but it was one of the the younger Rays who came through to clinch a series victory in Toronto.
There were nine right-handed hitters in the Rays’ starting lineup against a right-handed pitcher in Gausman, which may have come as a surprise to fans. However, Gausman’s pitch mix tends to play better against lefties and we’ve seen the Rays do things like this before.
The Blue Jays scored first, taking a 1-0 lead on a George Springer RBI single in the bottom of the fourth. Eflin didn’t look his sharpest but managed to allow just one run through the first four frames. It began to fall apart for him in the fifth when he gave up three runs on four hits and it started looking like this game would end up in the “punt” category.
He finished with: 6 IP, 9 H, 4 ER, 0 BB, 3 K. It was a fine outing from a starter who has been nothing more than “fine” this season. But we need those guys!
The Rays got on the board in the sixth inning, scoring two on an Amed Rosario base hit. Young shortstop Jose Caballero singled home Jonny DeLuca to make it 4-3.
Erasmo Ramirez was the first pitcher out of the bullpen and despite the three runs it wasn’t looking too promising for the Rays. He pitched one shutout inning and passed the torch to the A-Bullpen.
In the top of the eighth, Isaac Paredes led things off with a single. Richie Palacios entered to pinch run, but he wouldn’t need his legs to create a run, DeLuca handled that with his bat. DeLuca lined one that just scraped over the left field wall, giving the Rays a 5-4 lead. It had an exit velocity of 105.9 mph, and a 19-degree launch angle.
Jason Adam got the eighth inning, and Cleavinger the ninth. They picked up a hold and a save, respectively, securing the third win of the season for Ramirez.
Let’s not forget Yandy Diaz. He went 3-for-3 and drew a pair of walks. Remember when you were worried about him? He’s back and then some. The Rays will play one more in Toronto on Sunday, looking to sweep the Blue Jays and get to a season-high four games over .500.
