Rays 17, Red Sox 8
BOSTON, August 14th – The Tampa Bay Rays beat up on the struggling Boston Red Sox 17-8 to complete a four-game sweep. The Rays scored 17 runs on 19 hits, including four home runs.
The scoring got underway in the first when Yandy Diaz drove in Michael Brosseau with a single to right. Willy Adames would add another run with one of his three hits on the day. He would finish the game a homer shy of the cycle.
The Red Sox would bounce back with a crooked number themselves when they scored three in the bottom of the inning. Kevin Plawecki drove in two on a double to the right-center field gap.
The Rays took the lead back in the third behind the long ball. Hunter Renfroe and Brandon Lowe went back to back and the rout was on. Renfroe would add his second home run of the game in the sixth inning. It has yet to be confirmed on whether or not the ball has actually landed yet. Even Mike Zunino got in on the act with his version of a no-doubter to left. Something he and Rays fans alike have been waiting to see happen.
Glasnow’s Rollercoaster Start
There is no arguing Tyler Glasnow’s stuff. His success and failures, like many others, resides in his ability to command his fastball. This year, his fastball has some sharp cutting action to it. It’s not clear whether or not he is trying to do it, but his lack of control in his last two starts would suggest no. If, and when he can throw it with command, the real Tyler Glasnow will come to surface. On the positive side, he continues to rack up the strikeouts as he tallied eight through his four innings of work. His K/9 rate is a ridiculous 15.1.
Fenway South to Tropicana North
For years, Tropicana Field was referred to as Fenway South. Whenever the Rays and Red Sox would meet in St. Pete, the Red Sox players would feel right at home with the clouds of red in the stands. Since August of 2018, the home-field advantage has flipped to the alternate extreme. The Rays seem to have the advantage in Fenway as they have only lost once in their last 14 games in that park. In those 14 games, the Rays have averaged over 6.5 runs per game, including 27 home runs and a run differential of 47. Unfortunately, this is the last scheduled trip to Boston this year.
Bats Come Alive
When you score 42 runs in four games, it’s safe to say everyone hit pretty well. It’s still nice to point out some players who now have very respectable batting averages.
Manuel Margot entered Fenway on Monday with many fans hoping his first foot was out the door. His .100 batting average and big error on Sunday had him wishing for a reset button on the season. On Monday, he made quick work in erasing those memories behind a 4-4 game, reaching base in all five plate appearances. He finished the series going 10-14 with three doubles. His average climbed nearly 200 points, sitting comfortably now at .277.
Michael Brosseau and Yandy Diaz continue to punish left-handed pitching. Brosseau has found a comfortable spot at the top of the lineup against left-handed starters. Diaz is a single hitting machine whose average is up to .284 following three straight multi-hit games.
Yoshi Tsutsugo and Hunter Renfroe were both in need of seeing the ball land beyond the outfield fence. On Wednesday, Tsutsugo hit his first home run dating back to opening day and Renfroe had his second multi-homer game on Thursday. Hopefully a start of things to come for those two sluggers.
Up Next
As much as the Rays would love to stay in Boston, they now head up to Buffalo to take on the Blue Jays. The Blue Jays offense is struggling, but they are coming off an 11 run losing effort on Wednesday night.
The Rays will give the ball to Trevor Richards(0-0, 1.82). The Rays would like to see him pitch four to five innings and hand the ball over to the bullpen. Blue Jays will counter with Tanner Roark (1-1, 5.63). Roark did not face the Rays in the opening weekend of the season.
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