Rays 1, Padres 0: A True Pitcher’s Duel
Kameron Misner’s defensive heroics sealed the deal
Following two consecutive dramatic extra-inning wins, the Rays hoped to continue their string of good luck into San Diego. The Padres came into tonight’s contest leading the National League West by a half a game over the Giants and a game over the Dodgers.
For the Friars, it was 29-year-old Michael King, who enjoyed a fine year in 2024, sinking and sweeping his way to a sub-3 earned run average in 31 games (30 starts). For the Rays it was Shane Baz, who has been stellar in three of his four starts to start 2025.
The Rays struck first in the top of the third when they loaded the bases with no outs on just four pitches. Yandy Diaz plated Taylor Walls on a sacrifice fly for the lone run of inning — and the game.
It was a pitcher’s duel in every sense of the phrase. King went to his front door sinker several times as his out pitch, while Baz got himself back on track after his first rocky start of the season against the Yankees.
Bullpen Battle
King gave way to the Padres bullpen after five innings in which he surrendered only an unearned run. He scattered four hits and a walk while striking out nine. Adrian Morejon, Wandy Peralta and Jeremiah Estrada came in and retired the next nine Rays hitters in a row, with each recording a pair of strikeouts.
The Rays finally had another baserunner in the top of the ninth when Junior Caminero singled. Jose Caballero pinch ran and stole second, imposing a mini threat, but the effort was ultimately fruitless, as the funky Alek Jacob came up with two clutch strikeouts of his own.
Manuel Rodriguez and Garrett Cleavinger were tasked with closing the game out. The former allowed a double to Fernando Tatis, Jr., but promptly struck out Xander Bogaerts looking with a perfectly placed knee high sinker on the outside corner to get out of the eighth unscathed.
Cleavinger K’d two Padres hitters in the bottom of the ninth, although one of them led to some drama. After a Gavin Sheets swung and miss at strike three, Rays catcher Ben Rortvedt could not catch the ball cleanly, resulting in Sheets reaching base. It looked like the Padres were going to be able to capitalize on the defensive gaffe, but Kameron Misner made an amazing catch in right promply after, and in a heads up play, doubled up the runner to end the game.
The Baz We Were Promised
There’s no other way to put this: Baz was fantastic — probably the most dominant he has been in his major league career so far.
It was a steady diet of high octane heaters and big diving curveballs that neutralized a potent Padres offense. All told, he went seven innings, striking out six and only allowing four hits and one walk. In 29.1 inning of work to start the season, Baz has punched out 36 batters and now has a 2.45 ERA.
This could be the breakout we have been waiting for. Marred by injuries and setbacks since his 2021 debut, Baz finally became a mainstay in the Rays rotation in 2024. And although he pitched to a pristine 3.06 ERA, there were some issues under the hood — mainly what seemed to be a diminished ability to miss bats.
But that it in the past now, as Baz looks like a different pitcher — a great one at that.