On Saturday night, Blake Snell did something that he had never done in his major league career.
Just like the night before, Saturday nights game started with a bang.
In the second inning, Astros catcher Evan Gattis got the visiting team on the board with a solo-shot to right centerfield. His first home run of the season was just the seventh allowed by Blake Snell in his career.
First Time Allowing Two HR’s
In 21 career starts, Snell had never given up multiple HR’s in a game.
Turn on one, @JoseAltuve27. pic.twitter.com/KkoDAnZEYM
— MLB (@MLB) April 22, 2017
Longoria Ties it Up
Trailing by a score of 2-0 in the fifth, Evan Longoria gave the home fans something to cheer about when he drove a Charlie Morton pitch to the wall in left-center. Tim Beckham and Corey Dickerson scored on the play.
Altuve Steals the Show
Snell entered the sixth inning but was hooked after walking Jose Altuve to start the inning. On three separate occasions, Altuve took off for second base. After retreating due to a foul ball, then dashing back after a Souza put-out, he successfully stole his seventh base of the season.
With Tommy Hunter on in relief of Snell, Gattis grounded out to Logan Morrison. However, with the Rays playing the shift, Morrison was shaded to his right and was the only infielder on the right side. Altuve was off on the pitch, attempting to steal third and did not hesitate as he came around the bag at third. The play appeared to catch Morrison off-guard and the speedy second baseman scored.
“I don’t know if I’m gonna be out there tomorrow or anything”
Bench to the Rescue
One inning after Astros outfielder George Springer left the game with “discomfort in left hamstring”, the Rays went to their bench as well. On the Gattis ground-out, Hunter pulled up lame as he sprinted over to cover the first base bag. He would leave the game with soreness in his right calf. Austin Pruitt replaced him.
And he looked great.
Pruitt pitched two-and-a-third hitless innings, striking out two while throwing 16-of-20 pitches for strikes. He lowered his season ERA by two-plus runs.
PB Rally Time
The Rays chased Morton in the sixth when Steven Souza led off with a double, Morrison walked, and Derek Norris singled. Will Harris entered into a bases-loaded nobody-out situation.
Never. Good.
Back-to-back singles by Shane Peterson and Beckham plated the tying and go-ahead runs. One batter later, Kevin Kiermaier (illness) was, for the second straight night, lifted for Peter Bourjos. His single, past a diving Carlos Correa gave the Rays some added insurance.
Pruitt Shines
With the Rays bullpen slowly becoming an infirmary, and Snell unable to get through six innings, Austin Pruitt was called upon to bridge quite the gap. Entering the night with a 10.00 ERA, the Rays were hoping to get multiple innings out of Pruitt for the third time in his last four appearances. He was strong to the task going two-and-a-third hitless innings, throwing 20 pitches – 16 for strikes. Alex Colome came on to recorded his fourth save of the season.
Notables:
- Colby Rasmus hit a ground-rule double in his first rehab at-bat for the Biscuits
Quotables:
While sitting at his locker after the game, Hunter laughed about the severity of his injury…”I got bit by a snake”. He even did his best Kevin Millar impersonation, “Got Heeem”, before eventually clearing his throat a bit and stating “I don’t know if I’m gonna be out there tomorrow or anything”.
During his postgame press conference, Cash spoke of his relievers success.
“Austin Pruitt, outstanding job again. Good for him”.
As for the Astros, Morton retired the first seven Rays in order but when asked about his struggles during the fifth and sixth inning…
“I think I could have done a better job of mixing and keeping guys off the fastball. Maybe moving the ball back-and-forth a little more. For some reason righties aren’t having too much trouble with me this year”.
The right-hander is allowing righties to hit .293 off of him, while lefties are hitting just .227 on the year.
Sunday Afternoon:
Tropicana Field becomes dog-friendly tomorrow for Bark in the Park. First pitch is at 1:10 pm EST
RHP Matt Andriese (1-0; 3.38) faces RHP Joe Musgrove (1-1; 5.87)
