After losing their second game in as many days, the Tampa Bay Rays are in salvage mode on Sunday, in the series finale against the Red Sox. If they can eke out a win, they will end their nine-game road trip through the AL East with a 5-4 record.
Tyler Glasnow put the Rays in a four-run hole early on Saturday, struggling through a 28-pitch first inning.
But after allowing four runs on back-to-back doubles, three consecutive walks, two steals and a Jake Bauers throwing error, Glasnow settled in and worked impressively into the seventh. The right-hander retired his final 12 batters, and 17 of his last 18 overall, following J.D. Martinez’s majors-most 38th homer in the third inning.
In his fourth outing since coming to Tampa Bay, Glasnow worked a career-high 6-2/3 innings, allowing three hits and three walks, striking out four on 94 pitches (50 strikes, 53% strike rate, 15/25 first-pitch strikes).
Glasnow didn’t have his best stuff, with only his fastball as the most reliable offering.
I just kind of realized this is what I had today and just go out and compete as hard as I can and get out of that fix-it mode. I went out after the first and did what I had to do, Glasnow said. In Pittsburgh things like that would happen and I wasn’t able to go out and complete the day so I’m definitely happy with going back out after the first and getting through 6-2/3.
#Rays Glasnow, after Saturday outing: pic.twitter.com/feM9KQceFX
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) August 19, 2018
The New What Next
Diego Castillo (3-2, 3.63 ERA) will open for Tampa Bay, while Jalen Beeks (1-1, 8.03 ERA) — who was traded from Boston for Nathan Eovaldi — will provide length. They will be opposed by Hector Velazquez (7-0, 2.77 ERA), who will start for the injured and previously scheduled Chris Sale.
Castillo threw a scoreless frame in Friday’s 7-3 defeat.
Beeks spent four years plus working his way through Boston’s farm system and made two one-day cameos for the Red Sox this season prior to the trade on July 25.
The southpaw told Marc Topkin (Tampa Bay Times) he’s looking forward for the chance to face his former team this afternoon.
Just the competitiveness in me, I want to pitch here again, especially this year, Beeks said. I’m just happy to be in the big leagues obviously, but it’s pretty cool I might get the opportunity to face them so quickly after (the trade). So I’m excited.
Velazquez hasn’t thrown more than 52 pitches or three innings since April, so the Red Sox could use the game as a bullpen day, with Drew Pomeranz and Brandon Workman available to provide length.
Rays 8/19/18 Starting Lineup
Smith RF
Duffy 3B
Bauers LF
Pham CF
Wendle SS
Cron 1B
Choi DH
Lowe 2B
Sucre C
Castillo RHP
Noteworthiness
— Since only Adam Kolarek was needed on Saturday, Tampa Bay should have a fresh bullpen.
— Jesus Sucre’s right wrist “felt way better” and is in the lineup today for the first time since hurting it on a swing Tuesday.
— Even though LHP Vidal Nuno (hamstring) wasn’t sharp in his first rehab game on Friday he, more importantly, felt fine and is scheduled to make a few more rehab starts.