Rays 5, Red Sox 1
The Tampa Bay Rays were back in action Tuesday against the Boston Red Sox after a much needed night off. While they were happy to be home, but they were even more excited to see a familiar face in the lineup. Austin Meadows rejoined the team after missing the first 10 games and didn’t waste much time impacting the scoreboard. He went 2-4 in his season debut with a run scoring triple off the wall in right.
After trailing 1-0, Hunter Renfroe got the scoring going in the fourth with a two-run double that split the gap in right-center. This came after he, and the Rays caught a break with a foul ball contacting one of the rings in foul territory.
Meadows would add to the lead in the fifth when he drove in Michael Perez with his first extra-base hit of the season. He would score on an RBI single by the red-hot Brandon Lowe.
Charlie Morton and the bullpen would do the rest as they limited the Red Sox bats to only one run. Nick Anderson was back in the closer role as he came in to end the Red Sox threat in the 9th by striking out the last two batters.
Charlie Morton’s Third Start A Charm
There was cause for concern around ace Charlie Morton after two lackluster starts to begin the season. On Tuesday, his fastball had its expected velocity, while his curveball had both the lateral movement and sharp late action to put hitters away. He’s really tough when he can back foot his breaking ball to left-handed hitters. Just ask Rafael Devers who struck out in the first inning with the ball actually hitting his back leg.
Morton was able to pitch into the 6th inning for the first time this season. He finished with a line of five K’s, five hits, allowing just the one run. The run came on a a breaking ball that he left out over the plate to Mitch Moreland for a solo homer to right.
Meadows Debut
Austin Meadows made his first appearance of the 2020 season and he didn’t disappoint. After striking out in his first at-bat, he singled the other way with two outs in the third. He announced his return with authority when he tripled high off the wall in right to score a run. Rays fans sure are glad to see his sweet left-handed swing back in the lineup.
Kevin Cash will have the tough task of easing him back into the chaos that is the 2020 season. Even though Meadows needs time on the field, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him have the day off Wednesday with a lefty on the mound for the Red Sox.
Lowe And Wendle Stay Hot
The two best hitters of the young season have been Brandon Lowe and Joey Wendle. Cash had them both in the lineup on Tuesday. The duo went 5-8, scoring two of the five runs.
With Yandy Diaz struggling, Wendle could find playing time over at the hot corner. Again, that’s another good problem for Cash to have. Wendle, now with a .357 average, finds himself with best average on the team.
Up Next
The Rays and Red Sox finish off this quick two-game series on Wednesday at 6:40 Eastern. Rays will look to get back to .500 as the Red Sox will aim to end their four game losing streak.
The match-up will feature two southpaws as the Rays will turn to Ryan Yarbrough. Yarbrough is 0-1, but has a solid ERA of 1.54.
The Red Sox will counter with a lefty of their own in Martin Perez. Perez comes in with a record of 1-1 and a 5.06 ERA.
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