Rays 3, Mets 1: Shenton works masterful at-bat as Rays win second straight
Rays win second straight behind strong pitching and timely patience at plate
Saturday night provided a good old-fashioned baseball game backed by strong starting pitching performances and some timely patience at the plate.
The Tampa Bay Rays entered Saturday three games under .500 on the year and finished the night only two games under. Zach Littell got the start for the Rays opposite Christian Scott, who made his Major League debut.
Littell, donning the City Connect uniforms delivered a typical Littell start, going six strong innings, allowing only one run, and striking out seven. The righty walked none. With the strong outing, his season ERA was lowered to 3.00.
For the Mets, Scott made his debut and matched Littell pitch for pitch going 6.2 innings, allowing just one run, one walk, and five hits. He struck out six. The rookie was impressive and baffled Rays hitters throughout the night with his sweeper.
The scoring started early as the Rays took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first with an RBI single by Marte that scored Nimmo.
The Rays got their only run off of Scott in the first as Yandy Diaz led off with a single, Richie Palacios followed with a double to set up second and third with no outs for Isaac Paredes.
Paredes, the Rays best, most consistent hitter to start the year got the scoring early with an RBI single to tie the game at 1.
The Mets and Rays would hold steady at 1-1 until the bottom of the eight when the Rays loaded the bases with one out. With a chance to blow the game open, Randy Arozarena worked a great at-bat and put a ball in play between short and third. But, his attempt to give the Rays a lead was foiled by a great play by Linda as he retired Yandy Diaz at home. Shenton was called on to pinch-hit and worked heart-pounding bases-loaded walk to give the Rays a 2-1 lead.
Shenton, a rookie, was facing Ottavino, the well traveled veteran and was able to lay off a low 3-2 slider. It was an impressive at-bat to say the least.
Caballero followed with another walk to give the Rays a 3-1 lead.
Maton got the call for the save and worked around a walk to secure a 3-1 victory, the Rays’ second win in a row.
Cleavinger, Adam, and Maton combined for 3 scoreless innings to keep this game tied and eventually lock down a win. With the win, the Rays record moves to 16-18 and the win their first series since the middle of April when they took two of three from the Giants.
They will enter Sunday with a chance to sweep and will send Ryan Pepiot to the mound at 1:40 PM ET.