Complete performance caps Rays’ sweeps week
WASHINGTON — With two sequence within the books, the Rays have executed just about all the pieces however lose.
They’ve pitched properly, recording a 2.00 ERA after six video games. They’ve performed nice protection. They’ve scored extra runs than any crew in baseball, with their lineup displaying a powerful mixture of contact skill, energy and pace. And it was all on show of their 7-2 win over the Nationals on Wednesday afternoon, Tampa Bay’s sixth consecutive victory to start the season.
“It’s team baseball,” starter Shane McClanahan mentioned. “Through and through, team baseball.”
The Rays are successful the video games they need to win — and successful large. They’ve outscored their opponents by 31 runs (44-13). They’ve received all six video games by no less than 4 runs, the longest such streak to start a season within the trendy period and the longest in MLB historical past, based on Opta Stats, because the 1884 St. Louis Maroons’ season-opening 13-game streak.
“We’ve got some real serious magic on this team,” reliever Ryan Thompson mentioned. “I think a lot of us could start to feel it in Spring Training. It’s hard to explain. I just feel like the vibe is just a little bit unique this year.”
The Rays acquired contributions from all over on Wednesday, however arguably probably the most spectacular efficiency got here from McClanahan. Not as a result of he dominated, however simply the other. The left-hander tied a profession excessive with 4 walks. He wasn’t notably environment friendly. He nonetheless wound up with a high quality begin: six innings, two runs, six strikeouts.
McClanahan allowed 4 straight hits to begin the fourth however escaped the inning having allowed just one run. Washington loaded the bases with no person out, then McClanahan reached again for extra to retire the following three hitters in a row, ending the body by blowing a 100.3 mph fastball by Lane Thomas.
“That’s the beauty of baseball, man,” mentioned McClanahan, who accomplished his final two innings on solely 22 pitches. “Some days it’s smooth sailing. Some days you’ve got to fight, claw with everything you’ve got to get through five or six.”
He obtained some assist from Tampa Bay’s protection, which continued to shine. Right fielder Manuel Margot made one other working, diving catch behind reliever Colin Poche, giving supervisor Kevin Cash some Opening Day-ja vu, however Randy Arozarena as soon as once more stole the present.
With a runner on second and two outs within the first inning, Nationals cleanup hitter Joey Meneses smoked a 110.8 mph line drive to deep left area. Arozarena turned, took a couple of steps towards the warning observe and left his toes, snaring the ball and mendacity flat on the outfield grass.
Arozarena known as it an “easy play.” Nobody else appeared to agree. With the play unfolding in entrance of their perch within the left-field bullpen, the Rays’ relievers stood, cheered and flashed Arozarena’s signature arms-crossed pose, which he returned with a smile.
“It gives me a lot of joy to see that they’re following me and they’re supporting me,” Arozarena mentioned by means of interpreter Manny Navarro. “It makes me happy that I can do the same thing for them and that I can keep them entertained.”
Of course, the Rays knew they might count on stellar pitching and protection. The most nice shock has been the early efficiency of their lineup, which is slashing .284/.348/.542 with 13 residence runs, probably the most in franchise historical past by means of the primary six video games of a season.
Wander Franco and Harold Ramírez homered Wednesday, and the Rays discovered loads of methods to attain as seven hitters both scored or drove in no less than one run.
“When you win six games out of the gate, a lot of people have got to do good things,” Cash mentioned. “And it feels like, top to bottom, our entire roster is contributing in a positive way.”
The Rays obtained on the board within the second inning due to a bunt by Arozarena, who wound up scoring on two singles off Nationals starter Patrick Corbin and a sacrifice fly by Jose Siri. They strung collectively three hits within the sixth after Ramírez went deep, capitalizing on the chance when heart fielder Victor Robles misplaced Taylor Walls’ fly ball — which might have been the third out of the inning — within the solar.
“I think we’re playing really well. We’re going to have bad moments in the season. It’s a long season,” Arozarena mentioned by means of Navarro. “I think with these good moments, we have to take advantage of them. As long as we keep on working as a team, I think we’re going to be OK.”
