Article Author:
Reuters
The Tampa Bay Rays are off to a strong start to their six-game trip and will look to keep that momentum going in Saturday's game against the Detroit Tigers.
Rays ace Shane McClanahan is recovering from his worst game of the season. McClanahan (10-4, 2.07 ERA) scored a season-high in Cleveland on Sunday in a loss to the Guardians where he had five runs scored and he had seven hits and four and he finished 1/3 innings. He recorded 3 walks.
"It's about how humble the game of baseball is," McClanahan said. "Things could be going well for a long time and one of those days is about to be sprinkled. Ultimately it's all about keeping working hard and being in a good place again for the next start." It's up to me to see if I can."
McClanahan threw a gem against the Tigers on May 17, limiting himself to one run and four hits while striking out seven in seven innings. Recorded. He pitches at his park home in Detroit for the first time after going 1-1 with a 1.50 ERA against the Tigers in his two starts at Tampa Bay.
The left-handed opponent will face rookie right-hander Garrett Hill in his sixth career start.
Hill (1-3, 5.88 ERA) has pitched his five innings in each of his last four appearances. He gave up his four runs and his six hits to Toronto on Sunday. Hill's pitch in contact—he's only recorded 11 strikeouts in his 26 innings.
"He has to stay aggressive," Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said. “His outings are similar in that he struggled with two outs (a) one or two bad pitches leaving the yards. You'll come across."
Hill has yet to oppose Tampa Bay.
The Rays won his first two games of his four-game series. His 5-3 victory on Friday was aided by his club-record 13 walks. Detroit went scoreless after the second inning, and the Rays finally took the lead with a 3-run 8.
Hinch said he had to strike out seven pitchers, but his efforts were in vain as the Tigers suffered his sixth loss in seven games.
"Unbelievable," Hinch said of his walk. "It's certainly a rarity for our staff, so I don't know how to describe it. I struggled from the start. … It was a bad night on the mound.
Rays' Manager Kevin Cash was impressed by his batter's perseverance and ability to counter the ball in close quarters, with Brandon Lowe hitting a big hit, the go-ahead and a two-run double in the eighth inning. 42}
"It was a game where I felt like I had an opportunity and ended up making the most of it with Brandon later on," Cash said.
Tampa Bay is on his third straight win, with Lowe being the biggest reason for the offense. He has his six RBIs in his first two games of the trip.
No. 9 hitter Taylor He Walls also had a good night, coming on base four times and scoring two runs. Isaac Paredes also hit his former team hard, driving Lowe home with a single to insure the Rays.
"There was a lot of confidence all night long. We were very close," Cash said. "I'm happy it turned out like this. I'm really happy Isaac came in and added an extra run."
– Field Level Media
