A pitchers duel broke out as the offense was extremely limited in today’s matchup.
With just two games remaining until the All-Star break, Alex Cobb took the mound for the Rays on Saturday afternoon.
Game of Thrones was the theme for today’s contest and just as you would expect if winter was coming – the offense was cold.
Hechavarria!
When the Rays traded for Adeiny Hechavarria on June 26, many people knew that it was in an effort to upgrade defensively. But I don’t think anyone could have expected this type of mastery up the middle. Having already made a tremendous defensive play earlier in the game, Hechavarria stunned the crowd by robbing Red Sox catcher Sandy Leon of a base hit.
You spoil us, @Adeiny3. pic.twitter.com/XEm5ht2xWs
— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) July 8, 2017
Cobb was grateful to have Hechavarria behind him this afternoon.
“[Hechavarria] is making probably two of the top 10 plays of the night for SportsCenter.”
After the game, the Rays shortstop gave us a little insight into his desire and drive to be a leader.
“I want to be the guy who makes the big plays. I want to help the team win. And you guys saw it today,” he said in a postgame interview. You’ll have to wait and see where today’s plays rank on the highlight reel.
Porcello Continues to Work Deep
Last year’s Cy Young winner, Rick Porcello has struggled throughout the first-half of 2017. He is working deep into games, however, entered Saturday with just four wins this season. Porcello has pitched 6.0+ innings in 17-of-18 starts this season. His only outing with fewer than six was on April 14, against the Rays.
Needing just 84 pitches to get through six innings, Porcello once again pitched six-plus. After giving up a sac-fly to Jesus Sucre in the second inning, he settled in to retire nine of the next 11 batters he faced.
Porcello delivered the Red Sox’s third complete game of the season. He completed eight innings, allowing just the one run. It’s the eighth complete game of his career.
Only Takes One
Cobb exited the game after retiring the second out in the seventh inning. He allowed only two hits on the day and didn’t allow a Red Sox player to reach second base.
“He pitched an outstanding ballgame”
While picking up his seventh victory of the season, Cobb earned praise from Red Sox manager John Farrell.
“It was a constant change of speed on Cobb’s part,” the Boston skipper said. Farrell also spoke about the recent struggles his team has had during Porcello’s outings. “He pitches well and yet we come up on the short end offensively.”
Due Up
The first-half finale will provide plenty of storylines as the Rays’ current-ace takes on their former-ace. For the second time since his departure in 2014, David Price (4-2; 4.02) squares-off against Chris Archer (7-5; 3.95). Their last match-up came on Archer’s 27th birthday – in Toronto on September 26, 2015.
