The Tampa Bay Rays completed a series sweep of the Pittsburgh Pirates this week. It moved their record to 26-6 on the season as they remain first in the AL East. They also are winners of six of their last seven.
Game One: Harold Ramirez has an Explosive Day in 4-1 Victory
Game one came along with a hot bat in the hands of Harold Ramirez. The Rays’ designated hitter had two hits in three at-bats. The first hit came in the 4th inning on a right field base hit that scored Randy Arozarena to make it 1-0. The other hit was a home run into center field to extend the Rays lead to 4-1 in the 6th inning. No one could score the remainder of the game, leading to a 4-1 Rays win.
Other scoring came from Wander Franco, who got an RBI to score Manuel Margot. Franco went one-for-three on the day. Jose Siri also contributed with stealing home while Yandy Diaz stole second on the same play.
Javy Guerra debuted for the Rays after getting traded to the Bay from Milwaukee back on April 30th. He pitched in a brief 0.2 innings before Josh Fleming took over. Fleming gave up the only run but off of only two hits in 3.1 innings pitched.
Game Two: Shane McClanahan Pitches Brilliantly in 8-1 Rays Win
Reigning Cy Young winner Shane McClanahan pitched really well in the middle game of the series. He finished with nine strikeouts, just one earned run, and only two walks in six innings pitched. The left-hander earned the win as his record moved to 6-0 on the year. He has a 2.03 ERA and 51 strikeouts so far this season.
Offensively, Tampa Bay looked very alive and well. The team had 10 hits on the day as eight of the nine players in the lineup contributed to that total.
Franco had another productive day going two-for-five with three runs and two RBI’s. He also had a solo home run to center field. The talented shortstop has six home runs this season and has an average of .298. Franco was not the only player to homer. Josh Lowe homered to right field as well in the sixth inning.
Brandon Lowe contributed to the scoring column as well with a two-run double in the third inning. Tampa Bay left fielder Luke Raley also had a RBI double that scored Siri. Ramirez continued his hot hitting from game one with an RBI in game two.
Game Three: Pirates Keep it Close, but Tampa Bay Pulls it Out
The Rays concluded the series with a 3-2 victory on Thursday. Zach Eflin went on to pitch seven scoreless innings with 10 strikeouts while giving up just three hits. Bullpen right handers Ryan Thompson and Jason Adam finished out the game pitching a complete inning each. Adam had three strikeouts.
The scoring came from three solo home runs courtesy of Arozarena, Yandy Diaz, and Taylor Walls.
The Pirates nearly came back with a two-run double in the ninth coming from first baseman Carlos Santana. However, a Connor Joe strikeout would eventually end the game.
Up Next
Tampa Bay now stays in Tropicana Field for the first series of the season against the New York Yankees this weekend. The Yankees currently sit last in the AL East at 17-15 on the season. New York isn’t bad at all, but it’s a testament to how good the division is.