Game 1: The Rays were forced into a makeshift lineup due to tired players and Ji-Man Choi’s suspension, but they still generated enough offense to take a 7-6 win in 10 after blowing a 6-2 lead in the 8th. Vidal Brujan had the biggest game of his young career, doubling in Willy Adames in the 10th for the game-winner, his second of the game to go with his first MLB homer, a 445-ft shot. Tampa Bay had 9 doubles in total, with Brendan McKay driving in two with one of them and Oscar Colas added HR #6. Matt Peacock started (7 7 3 3 0 4) and was in line for the win before Aaron Fletcher gave up a grand slam in the 8th to Matt Olson, the A’s slugger’s 2nd homer of the game and 12th in 21 games (he drove in all 6 Oakland runs). Fletcher then hit Mark Canha, who charged the mound and now Fletcher is also suspended for 3 games, which might be a blessing considering how poorly he’s pitched. Rafael Dolis got the win and Nick Anderson whiffed 3 straight A’s including Olson to get his 2nd save. The Yankees lost to Cleveland, moving the Rays into first place.
MLB News: The Phillies snapped Milwaukee’s 13-game win streak.
Game 2: Another 6-6 game went to extra innings but this time the Rays were the team that came from behind, and they pulled off the win 8-6 in 14 innings. Wander Franco’s 4th hit of the game drove in Taylor Walls and Randy Arozarena’s RBI single provided insurance. Rafael Dolis, the 5th Rays reliever of the game, all of whom combined for 11 innings without allowing an earned run, got his 2nd win in as many nights with 2 perfect innings. Earlier, Ryan Yarbrough had his first really bad outing going 3 9 5 5 0 1 but the Rays fought back including a 2-run Brandon Lowe homer (#6) in the 6th which tied it at 6 and five stolen bases, a couple of which set up runs.
May 1: Optioned P Josh Fleming to AAA Durham, recalled P Andrew Kittredge from AAA Durham.
Needed a fresh arm after back-to-back extra-inning affairs, Fleming pitched 2 1/3 scoreless yesterday.
Game 3: For the third time in three games in this series, the game was 6-6 in the 9th and for the third time in three games the Rays came away with the win, 8-6. Trailing 6-5 going into the 9th the Rays got consecutive doubles from Francisco Mejia, Manuel Margot and Wander Franco to take the lead, and Austin Meadows' sac fly brought home Franco. Pete Fairbanks got win #1 going the final 2 1/3, whiffing 5 including the side in the bottom of the 9th. The A's were ahead because Luis Patino squandered leads of 4-0 and 5-2 after the Rays had gotten 2-run homers from Franco (#1) and Brandon Lowe (#7, part of a 4-5 day) off A.J. Puk. Patino finished 4 3 6 5 5 3 and is finished in the rotation after 5 starts with a 9.00 ERA in 21 innings. Joe Ryan will be called up with the question remaining whether Patino goes down or moves to long relief.
Team record: 17-7, now 3 games up on the Yankees after they were swept in Cleveland this weekend. Next up: A much-needed off-day then back home for 3 against that same Cleveland team.
MLB News: Miguel Cabrera picked up hit #3000 today for Detroit, although they fell to Baltimore 7-6.
A couple of much-deserved monthly awards:
