On Sunday, Tampa Bay hosted Seattle for the final time this season. After dropping the first two of the series, and the first five overall to the Mariners this year, the Rays sent Blake Snell to the mound with hopes of avoiding the season sweep.
The Rays are currently in the midst of the dreaded second-half slump. After entering the All-Star Break four games over .500 at 47-43, Tampa Bay entered today’s season series finale against Seattle five games under. They have posted the second worse record in the American League since they returned to work on July 14th, ahead of only the Chicago White Sox.
The only win thus far this week was on the back of Blake Snell. So Sunday, the Rays were hopeful that he would be able to recreate that same result for the second time in 6 days.
Kiermaier Leads The Way
Talk about a morale booster. In just his third game since returning from a fractured hip, Kevin Kiermaier hit a lead off home run (8) that almost went over the Budweiser Porch in centerfield. It was his first career leadoff homer, and the teams eighth of the year.
KK starts us with a bang. pic.twitter.com/UFD2onjxL9
— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) August 20, 2017
That home run in just the first inning ended up being all the Rays were going to need. But that did not stop Adeiny Hechavarria from having a little fun of his own…
Oppo! pic.twitter.com/8C8SFtMzDf
— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) August 20, 2017
In the bottom of the seventh with Jesus Sucre on first, Hechavarria deposited the pitch from Yovani Gallardo into section 146 at the Trop. His third of the season, the home run ultimately cause the exit of Gallardo, who finished with three runs allowed (all by HR), five hits and two walks over 6.1 innings.
For Hechavarria though, no play was bigger Sunday than the one that ended the game…
Walk-offs are great… but this is a special way to end a game.#RaysUp pic.twitter.com/9q7gOjY7oR
— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) August 20, 2017
Snell Has His Day
Blake Snell, who has had his fair share of struggles this season, had his best start of the season Sunday. Coming off his first win of the year on Tuesday, Snell struck out eight Mariners, allowed just two hits and two walks with 101 pitches. The big number though…is zero, as in zero runs allowed.
He has only one other scoreless start this year (7/5 at Cubs) but the rest of the line is by far the best of his 17 starts this year. In fact, it was his best start since July 19th of 2016, when he held the Rockies to a one-hit shutout.
Seven innings of shutout, two-hit ball?#ThatsWhatZillaDo ???? pic.twitter.com/RuU9ICuk6m
— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) August 20, 2017
Snell got back-up after he was pulled by the third best bullpen in the A.L. for August. Tommy Hunter handled the eighth, collecting two strikeouts and posting zeros with just 10 pitches. Alex Colome came in for the ninth and aside from allowing a baserunner on a single, closed out the game for his 36th save, extending his lead in the A.L. to four games.
Manager Kevin Cash was pleased with the win, to say the least….
Cash very happy after this game #RaysUp pic.twitter.com/4fIwmZvN2H
— Scott Bach (@RealScottBach) August 20, 2017
The Takeaway?
The win was just what the Rays needed to bring a boost of positive morale into the clubhouse. Players could be overheard celebrating from the hallway, along with the booming music of Drake in the background. The victory ends a streak of six straight losses to Seattle going back to last season. It also means they climb up to just four games under .500, keeping up with the other seven teams within four games of the second wildcard spot.
Having a healthy Kiermaier back, not only in the batter’s box but also in centerfield, is key if the Rays want to make the push for October. I caught up with him after the game with just a single, simple question…
I asked Kiermaier a simple question…”how you feeling?” #RaysUp pic.twitter.com/47ggKlUExy
— Scott Bach (@RealScottBach) August 20, 2017
36 games to go. Can the Rays (61-65) turn around this rough patch and make a run for their sixth postseason appearance? Time will tell. Next up, a day off Monday followed by the last three games against Toronto before the team hits the road again Friday.
