Rookie pitches into the seventh, gets win in debut.
ST. PETERSBURG, FL – Butterflies exist for just about any minor leaguer making their MLB debut. For the Rays number nine prospect, Wednesday night was no different. Jacob Faria would give up a quick 1-0 lead in the first inning after Jose Abreu singled home Leury Garcia following a lead off single and stolen base.
The Rays had a golden opportunity in the bottom of the first. Corey Dickerson hit his 19th double off the left field wall to lead off. A few batters later, the bases would be loaded with two away. Colby Rasmus would strike out swinging to leave them that way and keep the 1-0 lead in tact for Chicago.
In the second, the Rays got Tim Beckham and Daniel Robertson aboard with no outs. Then went down three straight to once again squander a scoring threat against starter Mike Pelfry.
Third inning. Evan Longoria leads off with a single. Logan Morrison follows with a double. Once again, two runners in scoring position and no outs. Souza strikes out. Pelfry intentionally walks Rasmus to load the bases for Beckham. After battling Pelfry, Beckham finally laces a single into right center field scoring two and giving the Rays the lead. Robertson followed with an RBI after a ground ball to third and a throw home is beat out by Rasmus.
How would the rookie perform with his first MLB lead?
How about a shutdown, 1-2-3 fourth.
After giving up the run in the first, Faria dominated. The righty pitched six and a third innings in his debut. He allowed just the one run, struck out five, and gave up just three hits.
What’s better than a dazzling debut? Friends and family to share it with.
Atta boy, @JDFaria36. pic.twitter.com/kYavRQuYFc
— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) June 8, 2017
Bullpen on lock down.
The Rays bullpen combination of Tommy Hunter, Jose Alvarado, and closer Alex Colome would shut down and shut out the White Sox the rest of the way. Colome worked around a lead off single in the ninth to record his 16th save of 2017. Rookie, Jacob Faria, would get his MLB debut win and the Rays would snap a four-game losing streak.
With the Blue Jays also winning, the win tonight keeps the Rays in fourth place in the AL East.
QUOTABLES:
- Rays Faria on putting his debut win into words: “It’s tough for me. Usually after a start, my legs are exhausted. I still have a ton of adrenaline going. Feels great.”
- Rays Cash on Faria: “You could tell he was amped. We needed a win and ultimately you don’t ask for a guy to come up and make his debut to provide that. It worked out. He was outstanding for us.”
NEXT UP:
- Jake Odorizzi (3-3, 3.53) takes the hill tomorrow night. He’ll face Derek Holland (4-5, 3.43) for the White Sox.
