Rays: 3, Astros: 2 - Wilmer Font Exits Game Early

After losing yet another one run game last night to the Houston Astros, the Rays were looking to bounce back against the WS champs behind starter Wilmer Font.

For the 2nd game in a row, Font would impress by keeping yet another high powered offense off balance with his offspeed pitches, going 5 innings, giving up 1 hit, 1 Run, striking out 3 and walking 2.

In the 6th, Font looked like he was cruising, as he was only at 76 pitches, but after a 4 pitch walk to Jake Marisnick, Font called for the Trainer and looked like he had tweaked something.

Why can’t we have nice things?

Diego Castillo would come in to replace him, and give up a 2 run HR to Alex Bregman.

The Rays would score in the 4th thanks to some unlikely miscues from the Houston Astros, and timely hitting from the Rays. After back to back singles by Daniel Robertson and Joey Wendle to put runners on the corners with nobody out, Adeiny Hechavarria would hit a long fly ball to right center, and it looked like the Rays would get 1 run, but a bobble by Jake Marisnick would allow all the runners to be safe. Mallex Smith would sac bunt to move Wendle and Hech over and after a Adames strikeout, bring up Kevin Kiermaier with 2 outs. He would go after the first pitch and ground it to SS Marwin Gonzalez (Carlos Correa was just placed on the 10-day DL). The throw by Gonzalez took a short bounce, and 1B A.J. Reed was not able to hold onto it and let it bounce away. Kiermaier was safe, and Wendle and Hech were able to score to make it 3-0 Rays.

That would be the extent of the offense on both ends, and enough for the Rays to hold on for the win. Castillo, Roe, Romo, and Alvarado would finish out the last four innings. Besides the 2 run HR to Bregman in the 6th, the Rays bullpen gave up only one other hit in the 9th, no strikeouts and no walks. Final score: 3-2. Pretty good for a team that is supposed to be tanking.

The Rays have won 7 of their last 8 games against the Yankees, Astros, and Nationals.

Ryne Stanek is set to open against Justin Verlander tomorrow. Game time is at 4:10 PM.