First thing’s first, let’s dive in to how Sergio Romo did as an opener. He came into today’s game with the express expectation he would be pitching only one inning, and he made the most of it, striking out the side in an expedient fashion, including one of the game’s best hitters, Mike Trout.
He probably could have gone longer, but the Rays stuck to the script, pulling Romo after the first inning to make way for Ryan Yarbrough. The Rays front office, meanwhile, are patting themselves on the back for how well this experiment played out.
Daniel Robertson’s family picked a great night to come to a ball game.
In the top of the second, with the bases loaded, Robertson knocked out his first career grand slam, giving the Rays a strong 4-0 lead. Angels starting pitcher Andrew Heaney looked shaky all night, frequently missing the zone. In spite of that, though, his final line for the day wasn’t too bad: 6 IP, 3 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 5 BB, 7 K, 1 HR with 97 pitches. The walks (and an error at first base) really killed him.
Offensively Johnny Field continues to be quietly impressive at the plate, and his average is .300/.344/.500. The Rays have got to be thankful for the results they’re seeing from guys like Field and Mallex Smith since losing Kevin Kiermaier to the disabled list. Field didn’t do anything flashy tonight, but needed a hit and a walk, and is consistently keeping his numbers up.
In the seventh inning with the bases loaded thanks to a passed ball and an intentional walk to Matt Duffy, Wilson Ramos hit into what appeared to be an inning-ending double play. However the call at first was close enough to warrant a review, and upon a second look it was determined Ramos was safe and responsible for an RBI, bringing the score to 5-0.
Another error in throwing to first demonstrated Mallex Smith’s ability to rock the boat until it gets him where he wants to be: in scoring position. Unfortunately nothing came of the efforts.
The Angels managed to avoid a shutout with some nice head’s up base running from Ian Kinsler and a groundout from Jefry Marte. Things started to look a little dicey on the defensive front for the Rays in the eighth, with an error to Roberston has he tried to get the runner out at first.
Yarbrough was done after the error and ended the day with a final line of 6.1 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 4 K on 92 pitches. It was beyond what anyone could have anticipated from him. They had hoped for five innings from Yarbrough and almost got seven.
Chaz Roe came on in relief (and what a relief the game’s pitching has been for the Rays bullpen). Roe worked his way into a 5-4-3 double play with only five pitches thrown, shutting down the inning and keeping the Rays in the lead going into the ninth. The side was quickly struck out and the Rays just needed to wrap things up with a win.
Ryne Stanek came on to close the game. He gave up a lead-off single, because it’s not a Rays game if we don’t have some late inning heart palpitations. A 2-run home run from Mike Trout two pitches later had Kevin Cash on the bullpen phone right quick, and Stanek was pulled after five pitches. Alex Colome entered, in what was now a save situation. Thankfully the team were able to avoid any further damage and hit the .500 mark.
Don’t be surprised to see Sergio Romo come on to open Sunday’s game as well.