Rays 8, Tigers 1: Rays Smash their Way to Sweep

Sometimes, in baseball and in life, people have to step up and do things they don’t normally do when it’s necessary for the greater good. Sometimes they do that thing well, other times not so much. Erasmo Ramirez did that well today. Very well.

In only his second starting appearance since 2015, Erasmo Ramirez gave the Rays five solid innings, striking out five Tigers, not walking a soul, and giving up just two hits over his outing. His only real mistake on the day was giving up a leadoff homer to Ian Kinsler on an 0-2 pitch. Starting the day in that fashion can shake many a pitcher, even at this level, but Erasmo was barely even stirred.

Clearly, as Rays fans certainly know by now, a pitcher cannot do it alone. He needs some runs. And runs Erasmo would have. Eight of them, in fact.

The Bronze Boar

These runs included solo homers from Kevin Kiermaier in the 7th, as well as Daniel Robertson and Steven Souza Jr. in the 8th off of someone named Warwick Saupold. After a cursory google, it appears that Warwick Saupold once pitched for the Perth Heat of the Australian Baseball League, and was once involved in an altercation outside of a place called the Bronze Boar Bar in Toledo, Ohio (which . . . listen, to be fair, could happen to anyone). Consider me a kindred spirit, Warwick. Your name will be unfamiliar to me no longer.

Notable Groans

Robertson’s homer, a genuine no-doubter off the bat, was notable as the first of his young career. Kiermaier’s shot was notable as well, as it would lead to a review. Brad Ausmus seemed convinced that Kevin missed second base on his home run trot. Brad should really focus all of that energy on other things, because this was a complete waste of time, and audible groans and laughter could be heard as the replay was shown at Tropicana Field.

Necessary Notes

It must be noted, before we move on to trolling the bandwagon-jumpers in the comments, that Steven Souza Jr. was an absolute monster today. Souza went 3 for 5 with 3 RBIs, and fell just a single short of the cycle. Kiermaier was no slouch himself, as he tallied a 2 for 3 day with a walk and 2 RBIs of his own.

The win today wraps up the home sweep of the Detroit Tigers and puts the Rays back over .500 on the season. The early game will hopefully lead to a restful evening for the boys tonight, as the scorching hot Houston Astros arrive for a weekend series tomorrow. Alex Cobb will be on the mound for game one, but let’s be honest, we’re all just counting the minutes until it’s ErACEmo’s turn to start again.