By Miguel Mike Medina
Photo Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images
The Tampa Bay Rays completed their second comeback win in a row as they outlasted the San Francisco Giants. 2-1 on Saturday.
Rays starter Adrian Houser and Astros starter Justin Verlander were pitching outstanding for their respective teams. Rays and Giants were scoreless through the first five innings. Houser was in the zone. He finished the night with six strikeouts, no runs, and allowed just four hits through five innings.
Verlander doesn’t miss a beat. It’s incredible what he is doing at this stage of his career. Verlander has given the Rays problems in the past, especially in the 2019 postseason when he was a member of the Houston Astros. Verlander pitched seven strong innings with eight strikeouts. He also passed Walter Johnson for ninth on the all-time strikeouts list with 3,511 in his career. Verlander continues to build his Hall of Fame resume.
Yandy Diaz is one of the best hitters on the lineup when it comes to a crucial situation in the game. When the game is tight, he is one of the players on the Rays team you would want in that situation. Diaz is fearless. Diaz tied the game at 1-1 in the top of the eighth inning. Diaz had a good night, going 2-for-4.
Brandon Lowe may have had two strikeouts, but he came through at the right time. Lowe gave the Rays the lead in the same inning, bringing Chandler Simpson home. Lowe also went 2-for-4 on the night. Diaz, Lowe, and Simpson were the driving force for the Rays’ lineup. The team collected just six hits.
The Rays’ bullpen was astonishing. Edwin Uceta got the win after tossing two strikeouts out of the bullpen. Uceta improves his record to 9-2 with a 4.11 ERA. Bryan Baker added two strikeouts. Pete Fairbanks continues to have an impressive year for the Rays. He earned his 22nd save of the season and struck out three Giants hitters to end the game.
The Rays are looking to complete the sweep on Sunday. Ryan Pepiot will go up against the Giants’ ace, Logan Webb. First pitch is at 4:05 pm ET.
Miguel Mike Medina is the publisher of The MMM Journal. He can be reached at medinamiguelmike@gmail.com and themmmjournal@gmail.com
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