Game 90: Rays 3 Houston 0 — Postgame News and Notes
By RaysRadio
Jake Odorizzi returned to the mound on Saturday and the Rays won a series against the Houston Astros, as Odorizzi and four relievers combined on a three-hitter in a 3–0 win. Tampa Bay (45–45) is back at .500 after back to back wins but did suffer an injury to its shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera.
After the game, Kevin Cash commented on the return of Jake Odorizzi, and on the status of Asdrubal Cabrera:
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After the game, Cabrera said he was feeling much better:
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The Rays did all of their damage in the second against Dallas Keuchel. Logan Forsythe singled to center to start the inning, and then Joey Butler grounded into a 6–4 fielder’s choice. James Loney struck out, but Cabrera doubled to left center, putting two runners in scoring position. Jake Elmore then walked on a 3–2 pitch, loading the bases. Rene Rivera hit a two-run single to left, but the play was costly because Cabrera suffered a right hamstring strain while scoring on the play and did not return. Brandon Guyer followed with a run-scoring hit to left to cap the rally.
Rene Rivera said they had watched plenty of video on Keuchel and had a plan going into the game:
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Odorizzi, in his first start off the DL, made the runs stand up, along with some help from the bullpen. Odorizzi went 5.2 innings, giving up two hits and three walks while striking out five. Odorizzi’s toughest jam was in the fourth, as he allowed the first two batters to reach on a single and a walk, then struck out Colby Rasmus and Evan Gattis flied to right. Luis Valbuena walked to load the bases, but Odorizzi got Hank Conger to pop out in foul ground to Evan Longoria, ending the rally.
Odorizzi said today’s outing was a big confidence boost going into the All-Star Break:
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Steve Geltz, who now has stranded 17 of 19 inherited runners, got the final out in the sixth. Jake McGee gave up a walk to Hank Conger, and a double to Marwin Gonzalez, before getting Jose Altuve to fly to right to end the frame. Kevin Jepsen had a 1–2–3 8th, and then Brad Boxberger gave up just a two-out walk to Conger in the ninth, earning his 22nd save.
The Rays and Astros play the final game before the All-Star Break on Sunday. Coverage begins at 11:30 a.m. with This Week in Rays Baseball. The pregame show starts at 12:30 p.m., and Dave and Andy will have the play-by-play with first pitch at 1:10 p.m. Matt Moore pitches opposite Tampa native Lance McCullers.
