Rays’ No. 1 prospect Bradley debuts with mom in stands
ST. PETERSBURG — Understanding the stress Taj Bradley would possibly really feel making his Major League debut amid the Rays’ historic season-opening successful streak, supervisor Kevin Cash solely requested for 2 issues Wednesday evening: strike-throwing and plentiful run assist.
“Certainly everybody that takes the mound, every at-bat right now, people are aware of what’s going on in our clubhouse,” Cash stated Wednesday afternoon. “But you don’t need any added pressure as a pitcher making your debut against the Red Sox, so hopefully he doesn’t think about it too much.”
After strolling the primary batter he confronted as a giant leaguer, Bradley gave the impression to be utterly unfazed. The 22-year-old right-hander impressed in his Major League debut, acquired the run assist Cash needed and absolutely made his mom proud as she watched from the stands whereas he held the Red Sox to a few runs over 5 innings at Tropicana Field.
Think the stakes had been excessive for Bradley? According to the Elias Sports Bureau, it was solely the second time since 1900 {that a} crew on a successful streak of no less than 10 video games despatched a beginning pitcher to the mound for his large league debut. The Braves did so with 19-year-old Mike McQueen within the ultimate recreation of the 1969 season.
Bradley, however, was charged with serving to the Rays proceed their undefeated streak on the outset of the season. And Tampa Bay’s prime prospect performed his half, giving up 5 hits and a stroll whereas hanging out eight batters. It was the second-highest strikeout whole for a Rays pitcher in his debut, trailing solely Wade Davis, who whiffed 9 batters on Sept. 6, 2009.
Bradley discovered Tuesday that he was being summoned from Triple-A Durham to the Majors to make a spot begin for Zach Eflin, who was positioned on the 15-day injured record because of tightness in his decrease again. According to the Rays’ Bally Sports Sun telecast, he FaceTimed his mom, Ana Mosley, who left her residence within the Atlanta space at 5 a.m. ET on Wednesday.
And there she was within the stands on Wednesday evening, personalised scorebook in hand, watching her son stay out his dream.
