This game was far from an attractive product as four runs were scored on defensive misplays, but the Rays added enough around the comedy of errors by both teams to come out on top in this one. The misplays began early as Jac Caglianone had delusions of grandeur turning what could have been a double play into two runs:
The defensive gift was followed by a run-scoring single by Jonathan Aranda proving Jax with a 3-0 lead as well as the Rays with their first lead since Sunday’s win against Washington. Jax held the lead and the win despite walking a tight rope in his final frame due to multiple two-out defensive miscues.
Griffin Jax once again worked just five innings, but the better news the recurring blister issue did not appear to be a problem as Jax threw 88 pitches. He looked set to be able to at least start the 6th inning until Taylor Walls got eaten up by a ground ball and Chandler Simpson seemingly lost a Salvador Perez liner in the lights and boxed it out to the bullpen:
Those consecutive mistakes extended the inning by another eight pitches thus ending Jax’s night.
The final three innings were better than the first two for Jax as he struggled to find his command in the early innings working behind in counts and falling victim to broken bat singles. Each of the first two innings saw the first two Royals reach base only to have Jax strike out the next batter, and eventually get out of both frames unscathed. One of those broken bat singles was from Carter Jensen, who now has a 13-game hitting streak and has reached base in 16 consecutive games while embracing the leadoff spot in the Kansas City lineup. Jax finished with the two unearned runs while allowing eight baserunners through five innings throwing 52 strikes in his 88 pitches on the evening including 13 swings and misses:
Yandy Diaz had another productive night as the tablesetter going 4 for 5 while scoring a run and driving in another. Simpson made up for his error making two other more difficult catches. He also reached base twice and swiped two bases to add to his recent run of running again. Everyone reached base at least once tonight while the team was 4 for 12 on the evening with runners in scoring position leaving 9 runners on base throughout the contest.
The combination of Cole Sulser, Kevin Kelly, Garrett Cleavinger got nine outs while allowing just one batter to reach base before handing it off to Byran Baker. Baker struck out former Ray Kam Misner with a nasty changeup, but then hung a changeup to Josh Rojas that landed 10 rows deep in right field. That was the first home run Baker had allowed since an opening day home run to Matt Shaw. Baker bounced back to retire the next two batters to earn his 20th save of the season
Kelly’s work in the 7th was special as it continued his flawless pitching at home. He has now worked 19 innings under the roof without allowing even a single run or a walk. He, more than any pitcher, is really enjoying being back indoors at home and away from the pop-up porch in right field.
The Rays come back for lunch tomorrow in hopes of evening this series with Ian Seymour taking the mound against Seth Lugo.
