The hard throwing lefty tossed a seven-inning, five hit gem as the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Minnesota Twins 10-1 Saturday night.
The 25-year-old matched a career high with those seven-innings pitched. Blake Snell’s curveball was very effective as he finished the night striking out six batters and allowing one earned run. The outing lowered his ERA 2.54 for the season.
In his first five starts of last season, Snell struggled with his control resulting in multiple short outings. He issued 18 walks across those 26.1 innings and went five innings or fewer in four of those five starts.
In comparison, Snell has only issued 10 free passes in his 28.1 innings to being the 2018 campaign. The improved command has allowed him to pitch 6+ innings three times through his first five starts this year.
“It’s nice when you already know the pitch you want to throw and he’s calling it”, Snell said referring to his rhythm with catcher Wilson Ramos.
Snell later went on to say how he’s been focused on being more consistent in the zone, which has resulted in two straight games with no walks.
Cron smacks team leading third and fourth home runs
The day after his eight game hitting streak was ended, Cron answered in a big way with a two homer, four RBI night. This was Cron’s ninth multi-homer game of his career.
“I do think power comes in bunches,” Cron answered when asked about his two home run game. “Hopefully, as an offense as a whole, we can keep hitting.”
He also jokingly said “all of my home runs are for (Kevin) Kiermaier.”
Rays Notes
Denard Span knocked in three more RBI to increase his team leading total to 17 on the early season. Oddly enough, he’s done so on only 14 hits. Span is now 9-for-17 with runners in scoring position.
Daniel Robertson crushed his second home run of the season to straight away center.
Joey Wendle recorded a three-hit night raising his batting average to .288 on the season.
And finally, Kevin Cash addressed former Rays pitcher Danny Farquhar, wishing him and his family a speedy recovery.
Nice words from #Rays Kevin Cash on former TB pitcher #DannyFarquhar . pic.twitter.com/7lOqXnfcAm
— The Scrum Sports (@TheScrumSports) April 22, 2018
Up Next
The series finale ends with Yonny Chirinos (0-1; 2.70) toeing the rubber against Phil Hughes (4-3: 5.87 in 2017). This is be Phil Hughes first appearance of the 2018 season. Chirinos’ suffered his first career loss in his last outing against the Texas Rangers on April 17th.
