The Rays’ past met the present on Friday night. Left-handed starters Price and Snell took the mound at Tropicana Field and provided fans with a pitchers duel.
As if they recognized an underlying importance, Blake Snell and David Price battled back-and-forth for the first five innings at Tropicana Field on Friday. Through three innings, the lefties combined to throw just 65 pitches. Snell, who threw 5.1 innings of shutout ball, has now gone 23.2 consecutive innings without allowing a run at home.
Who holds the Rays’ franchise record for consecutive scoreless-innings at home? Well, that would be Price. In 2012 he threw 29.1 consecutive scoreless frames.
While picking up his first win of the season in Boston’s 1-0 victory, Price is now part of the Rays’ past and, as for the future in the bay area? Many believe it to be Snell.
The Washington native pitched into the sixth inning in his 2018 debut, allowed three hits and struck out two of the 27 batters he faced.
“I felt like I needed to attack more later in the game,” Snell said. “Felt like I was trying to get strikeouts and be like too nasty. They’re a good hitting team, they’re not gonna chase so I was frustrated with that part. Overall I’m happy with the first start of the season.”
Bogaerts, Devers lead the way
The first of his two doubles on the night, Bogaerts’ two-bagger in the seventh inning forced Chaz Roe from the game, having come on in relief of Snell. Jose Alvarado allowed a base hit to the next batter, Rafael Devers, giving Boston a 1-0 lead. Boston’s bullpen, as was not the case on Thursday, kept Tampa Bay off the board to secure the shutout.
“Devers is really good at the plate, manager Kevin Cash said after the game. “I think Jose tried to throw a fastball up-and-away and just left it a little bit too much on the plate where he was able to get the barrel to it.”
With plenty to prove of his own this season, the 32-year-old Price gave the Red Sox everything they needed. Requiring just 66 pitches to get through six innings, the Vanderbilt product went seven innings allowing four hits, striking out five. He now has a 4-3 record with a 3.45 ERA in 10 appearances against his former team.
Daily Dish
Kevin Kiermaier recorded his first hit of the season — an infield single in the bottom of the fourth.
Newly-acquired outfielder Rob Refsnyder was held without a hit, striking out twice. However, he brought the home fans to their feet with his defense in the fourth inning. After a Hanley Ramirez base hit and a J.D. Martinez walk, Bogaerts was robbed by Refsnyder’s diving catch in left field.
If you haven’t seen videos of Chaz Roe throwing his slider, you are depriving yourself of childhood memories with your friends from the Wife Ball Corporation. After Snell was lifted, Roe entered to face Martinez with runners on the corners. His 3-2 slider caught the inside corner and the Red Sox’s designated hitter was left with the bat on his shoulder. He was, however, responsible for the lone Red Sox run.
Up Next
Saturday is the 25th Anniversary of the franchise, and Throwback Day at Tropicana Field. The Rays turn to their “bullpen day” as Andrew Kittredge gets the start opposite Rick Porcello for the Red Sox. First pitch is scheduled for 6:10pm.
