Jacob Faria posted the longest outing in an MLB debut (as a Ray) since Jeremy Hellickson in 2010. His line: 6.1 IP/3 H/1 ER/2 BB/5 K. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)

Jacob Faria tossed an impressive 6-1/3 innings in his big league debut on Wednesday, while the Rays scored three in the third inning en route to 3–1 win. Faria and the Rays were able to put an end to their four-game losing skid.

All told, the right-hander allowed just three hits and two walks, while fanning five on 95 pitches (62 strikes). The only run he allowed came in the first inning, when Leury Garcia reached on an infield hit, swiped second, then came home on Jose Abreu’s single to right.

Yet Faria locked it in from there and pitched to one over the minimum over the next six frames — allowing only one runner as far as second base, and retiring 17 of 19 in one stretch.

Faria’s four-seam fastball was the dominant pitch of the evening — of his 95 pitches, 60 were fastballs, and 10 of them (well located up in the zone) produced swings and misses. Faria worked his off-speed stuff off his fastball — a mid ’80s slider and a low ’80s changeup. Of the two, the changeup played better, as it had a lot of depth that took it below the zone. It generated weak contact and a couple of whiffs.

Faria discussed his pitch mix (among other things) after the game:

It was really the mix…it was the fastball/cutter…I threw a couple changeups to guys in situations, but other than that it was really the fastball/cutter mix that was really working.

Faria’s night was done after a four-pitch, one out walk in the seventh. Kevin Cash called upon Tommy Hunter to work through the micro jam. Hunter collected a pair of swinging strikeouts of Matt Davidson and Tim Anderson on seven pitches, all but erasing the previous night’s walk and error.

Meanwhile, Tampa Bay took the lead in the third inning against Mike Pelfrey. Down by a run, Evan Longoria kick started the rally with an infield single through the hole at short, then went to third on Logan Morrison’s line drive double to right-center. Steven Souza Jr. struck out looking — something he did three times last night — but Colby Rasmus was intentionally walked, loading the bases.

With the bases juiced, Tim Beckham worked an eight-pitch at-bat before he shortened his swing, and hit an inside pitch to right, scoring Longoria and Morrison after Avisail Garcia bobbled the ball for an error.

Daniel Roberton followed by hitting a hard grounder to third, with Rasmus sliding in ahead of the throw home.

Still, the Rays had plenty of opportunities to do more damage against Pelfrey over the first four innings. Tampa Bay got the leadoff man aboard in each inning, yet went 1-12 wRISP, with Beckham’s single being the only hit.

The White Sox held the Rays in check over the final five innings, retiring the final 13 hitters between Pelfrey, Dan Jennings and Gregory Infante.

A lead is a lead, however, and Jose Alvarado and Alex Colome preserved it after Faria and Hunter. Alvarado hurled a perfect eighth on just eight pitches, while worked around a leadoff single in the ninth to notch his 16th save.

The New What Next

The Rays look to take the series on Thursday with Jake Odorizzi (3-3, 3.53 ERA, 5.23 FIP) on the mound. Left-hander Derek Holland (4-5, 3.43 ERA, 5.04 FIP) will get the start for the ChiSox.

Odorizzi allowed eight runs (three earned) in 2-1/3 innings on Friday. He gave up two homers, including a grand slam, and threw 77 pitches. The right-hander has given up at least one homer in seven consecutive starts, leading a to a career-worst 1.9 HR/9, while his 5.38 FIP/4.49 xFIP belie his pristine 3.75 ERA. He hopes to rebound against a White Sox squad that ranks 29th in wOBA against right-handed pitchers (.291) Wednesday night.

Holland was touched for eight runs on eight hits over 58 pitches and 2-1/3 innings Friday night. He allowed three home runs. Holland has been good otherwise, allowing at most three runs just twice this season, and averaging just under six innings per start. The Dutch Oven is 4-3 in 11 starts against the Rays, although he’s cultivated a rather meaty 4.66 ERA in that span. This season Holland has relied upon his 92 mph worm killer four-seam fastball, and a 79 mph 12-6 knuckle curveball with little depth. He’s also mixed in an 81 mph slider with 12-6 movement, a 92 mph sinker with arm-side run, and an 84 mph fly ball inducing changeup. Key matchups: Evan Longoria (9-28, 4 2B, 3 HR, 8 RBI, 3 BB), Derek Norris (4-13, RBI, BB), Colby Rasmus (3-12, 2B, HR, RBI), Jesus Sucre (3-5, 3 2B)

You can read about the series in our preview.

Rays 6/8/17 Starting Lineup

Souza Jr. RF
Dickerson DH
Longoria 3B
Morrison 1B
Kiermaier CF
Beckham SS
Robertson 2B
Norris C
Bourjos LF
Odorizzi RHP

Noteworthiness

— The Rays have activated Peter Bourjos from the DL, and he’s in the lineup tonight in left field hitting ninth. To make room for Bourjos, Jacob Faria has been optioned back to Triple-A Durham.

— Food for thought:

— Tim Beckham spoke to Buster Olney about the atmosphere in the Rays’ clubhouse, the potential of Tampa’s young stars and much more.

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