ST. PETERSBURG — Not even a month into his big league career and Jake Bauers has already had a defining moment as a Ray.
On Sunday, with his team tied at six against the AL East rival New York Yankees in the bottom of the 12th inning, Bauers ambushed a first-pitch fastball from reliever Chasen Shreve and sent it into the stands in left field for a walk-off game winner. The blast gave the Rays a win and a series sweep against the best team in the league.
“I’m still breathing heavy,” Bauers said. “That’s something you always dream of and not many people get the chance to do it. It’s a crazy feeling.”
It was also the first time the Rays had walked off a win with a home run in extra innings since Evan Longoria did it in the infamous “Game 162.” If Bauers brief career is any indication, Rays fans should expect plenty more of those sorts of moments.
Heading into the Rays’ series against Washington, Bauers led the team in both slugging (.525) and on-base percentage (.389). In 17 games he has 10 extra-base hits — tied with Matt Duffy for most on the team — and 13 walks, also a team-high.
“He feels pretty comfortable at the plate. He shows a lot of confidence,” Rays manager Kevin Cash said. “His defense has been outstanding but the at-bats have been what’s been eye catching. Even when he doesn’t get hits, he has really good at-bats.”
In Monday’s 11-0 win against the Nationals, Bauers continued his prodigious power pace. Bauer doubled to the right field corner in his first at-bat again Washington starter Gio Gonzalez. He finished the game 4-for-5 to push his average to .297 on the season.
Kevin Kiermaier, who came into the game batting .143, keyed a six-run second inning off Gonzalez with a grand slam to center field. Catcher Wilson Ramos went 2-for-4 with two home runs and three driven in.
That proved to be more than enough for starter Blake Snell, who carried a no-hitter into the seventh inning against the Nats. Snell struck out 10 and walked four while picking up his 10th win of the year.
Davey’s Return
Roster moves
The Rays placed reliever Jonny Venters on the 10-DL due to a right hamstring strain. The veteran lefty was injured while covering first base in the 10th inning of Sunday’s game. Right-hander Austin Pruitt was recalled from Triple-A Durham to take his spot on the roster.
Up Next
Nathan Eovaldi (1-3, 4.91 ERA) will have his work cut out for him as he faces off against Nationals ace Max Scherzer (10-3, 2.09) in the finale of a two-game set at Tropicana Field. Eovaldi is 2-5 with a 5.30 ERA in 10 career starts vs. Washington, including a loss on June 5 in which he allowed four runs on four hits.
