Have the Tampa Bay Rays turned the corner?
It’s too early to say, but things are looking much better after a sweep against the New York Mets this weekend.
Rays Offense Comes Alive In weekend Sweep of the Mets
On Friday night, the offense came alive and pushed 10 runs across the plate in a 10-8 win against the Mets.
The Rays, last in the American League East and six games out of first place when the weekend began, broke out offensively on Friday night, and then Zack Littell and the bullpen shut down the Mets on Saturday to get a 3-1 win.
Mired in a deep slump most of the season, Yandy Diaz went 2-for-5 and drove in two runs Friday night. Randy Arozarena went 1-for-2 with a home run, and Harold Ramirez was 3-for-5.
Before the weekend series began, the Rays made some roster moves, sending catcher Rene Pinto and utility player Nick Goodrum to Durham.
The Rays called up catcher Alex Jackson, who hit the ball very well at the AAA level, and outfielder Johnny DeLuca from AAA Durham.
Pinto, known for his defense and the way he handles a pitching staff, struggled this season, as the Rays are near the bottom of the Major Leagues with a 4.84 ERA. Pinto was also a disappointment offensively, hitting just .214 with two home runs.
Jackson hit .282 with seven homers and 18 runs batted in at Durham, playing in 19 games.
Both players added an immediate spark as Jackson had an RBI, and Johnny DeLuca came up with a big hit going 1/4 and driving in three runs in the Rays win.
On Saturday night, Zack Littell had another outstanding start, going six strong innings, giving up one run while striking out seven.
Rays Bullpen Appears To Have Settled In
The bullpen closed the game as Garrett Cleavinger, Jason Adam, and Pat Maton each pitched one scoreless inning in the Rays win.
Pat Maton appears to have broken out of his month-long slump. In two outings against the Mets this weekend, he pitched two innings with one strikeout and picked up the save on Saturday.
The Rays needed extra innings to take down the Mets on Sunday’s 7-6 win, earning them their series sweep this season.
Randy Arozarena homered, his second of the series, and Johnny DeLuca had a walk-off triple in the tenth inning, driving in two runs to give the Rays the win.
Once again, the bullpen was solid, pitching six innings and allowing just one run, with Erasmo Ramirez earning the win.
Ryan Pepiot started the game on Sunday and had to leave after three innings after taking a 107 MPH line drive off the leg. Pepiot has a bruise but no broken bones. “It shouldn’t be a problem. It was negative with a test right away, so we’ll just do whatever we can to get swelling down now,” Pepiot said. “It was mostly calf, a little bit in the shin, but mostly muscle. So it’s just sore. It’ll be alright. Just give it a couple of days.”
Kevin Cash Reaches Rays Milestone
A milestone was also reached the weekend by Rays manager Kevin Cash, as he passed Joe Maddon to become the all-time leader in wins in Rays history with 755. With the win on Sunday, that total is now 756.
Cash is the longest-tenured manager in the big leagues and the only American League Manager to win back-to-back Manager of the Year awards in 2020 and 2021.
Cash talked about the milestone saying “It’s just an appreciation, certainly to the organization. But ultimately, it comes down to being fortunate to have a lot of really good players and good teams.”
There is some good news to share on the Rays injury front. Taj Bradley was sharp in two rehab starts at Durham, and manager Kevin Cash said it’s just a matter of time before he is called up to the big league club.
“Nothing is official, but I think we’re going to put our heads together and try to pick a spot for him to get back up here soon,”
After Eflin, Civale, and Littell, Ryan Pepiot is the fourth starter, and the Rays go with an opener/Tyler Alexander, in the fifth spot in the rotation.
Aaron Civale and Zach Eflin have struggled and have been disappointing this season, going a combined 3-6 with an ERA right around 5.00.
Cash said they are now having internal discussions about where Bradley will fit into the rotation.
Bradley and the Rays are looking for improvement from his rookie season when he went 5-8 with a 5.93 ERA.
Closer Pete Fairbanks threw a bullpen session on Saturday at Tropicana Field. He will report to Durham to start a rehab assignment on May 7th.
The Rays have a chance to continue that momentum from their sweep of the Mets this weekend when the worst team in baseball, the Chicago White Sox, visit Tropicana Field for three games.
The Rays are 17-18 and six and a half games out of first in the AL East.