After yesterday’s fantastic offensive display and outstanding pitching performance by Ian Seymour, the Rays were riding a three-game winning streak, averaging 8.7 runs scored per game while allowing only 2.7 runs. The Guardians are coming off three straight losses by shutout, the first time that has happened since 1991.
Shane Baz will got the ball after an extra day of rest, and for the Guardians, left-hander Parker Messick made just the second start of his career. You would think all of these factors
would position the Rays for success.
Unfortunately, the game didn’t start as the Rays wanted, as the Guardians rallied for a three-run lead in the first inning. Former Rays prospect Kyle Manzardo started the whole thing with a ground ball single to first base that Yandy Diaz couldn’t corral. With the bases loaded, Bo Naylor hit a ball deep enough to right field to score the second run of the game. The next batter, Rayan Rocchio, hit a soft liner to right field to plate the third run of the inning. It was a very Guardians-like inning, full of weak contact that found holes and patient at-bats. Just like that, the Guardians led 3-0 after one inning.
After the first inning, the Rays’ pitching staff combined for eight no-hit innings, including only one walk.
Shane Baz was phenomenal after that unlucky first, delivering one of his best starts since the All-Star break. Griffin Jax and Mason Montgomery got the job done, but the offense never showed up. The Rays had only one man in scoring position and never really posed a serious threat against the Guardians’ pitching staff.
Parker Messick was outstanding as he was pounding the strike zone consistently throughout the game, and as a result, he didn’t allow a single run. The pen was also nails for the Guardians; they brought their big dogs in Hunter Gaddis and Cade Smith, eager for the win.
The game ended in a 3-0 win for the Guardians in one of the fastest contests of the season, with a runtime of only 2 hours and 2 minutes. The Rays will look to take the series win tomorrow at 1:10 ET .
