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Since making his major league debut, Jacob Faria has been phenomenal for the Rays. Over this three outings, he has allowed just three runs in just under 20 innings pitched. Yesterday afternoon was his best performance thus far and one of the best we’ve seen from a Rays starting pitcher this season.
Faria also just 5th pitcher since @baseball_ref data is available to have 1st three career starts be 6+ IP, 1 ER or fewer and a win. #Rays
— Steve Carney (@stevecarney) June 18, 2017
#Rays starters have 13 outings of at least 6 IP & 0-1 earned runs allowed. Andriese & Faria now have 7 of them https://t.co/g4V0dx5YvU
— Jason Collette (@jasoncollette) June 18, 2017
#Rays Jake Faria is first pitcher this year to go 6 IP or more, 1 ER or less for Tampa Bay. It came in his first 3 MLB starts.
— Neil Solondz (@neilsolondz) June 18, 2017
Who is this @JDFaria36. Is he not Nolan Ryan in disguise?!? In first three MLB starts: 3-0, 19.2 IP, 3 ER, 22 K's, 4 BB's, .208 BAA. pic.twitter.com/Nr5H4DkA48
— Dan Slaubaugh (@DanSlaubaugh) June 18, 2017
Faria didn’t need much offensive support, but he received plenty nonetheless as the Rays blasted five home runs (3rd time this season they’ve hit that many) and ultimately scored nine runs. The big blow came from Steven Souza who launched a grand slam in the 3rd inning, Souza also homered on Mother’s Day. Logan Morrison has two homers, while Derek Norris and Evan Longoria also homered.
The Rays split the series with Detroit and are back to two games over .500 at 37-35 and in sole possession of the second wild card spot, clinging to a half game lead over the Minnesota Twins. The Yankees meanwhile have been in a free fall, losing six in a row to allow the Rays to move up to just three and half games behind in the division, while the Red Sox are tied for the division lead.
- The Rays 1st round pick, Brendan McKay, was on display yesterday as the Louisville took on Texas A&M in the College World Series
- Alex Colome has thrived since taking the Rays closer role
- Colby Rasmus has turned into an aggressive monster with the Rays
- Tim Tebow is still playing in the minor leagues and one the teams he faced, the Charleston River Dogs, trolled him mercilessly
- Oh hey, the Rays acquired Trevor Plouffe over the weekend, he should be activated prior to tonight’s game