Reds Cool Hot Rays

 

The hot Tampa Bay Rays entered the first game of the three-game series after tying a Major League record by winning its first 13 games of the season.  The Reds turned the air conditioning on the hot Rays in a 8-1 win.

The Rays led the Major Leagues coming into the game, scoring seven per game.  The scored fewer than three runs just twice and led the big leagues with 69 extra-base hits. 

Manager Kevin Cash used an opener, a relief pitcher by trade LHP Jalen Beeks, to start the game.  Kevin Newman, the designated hitter, hit his second home run of the season. It was the only hit Beeks allowed in three innings.

Hunter Greene, the Reds' starter allowed one hit. It was a lead off double by light hitting catcher Christian Bethancourt in the third inning.  Yandy Diaz lined a pitch off Greene's shin that bounced to first baseman, Wil Myers, who recorded the out.

 "It is super tight," Greene said.  "It sucks but the bullpen did an amazing job. I don't even want to talk about myself. I want to talk about the team, especially Buck (Farmer) it was super last minute."

"I wanted to finish that inning.  I knew I could finish it. As soon as I came in it tightened up right away.  It would have been foolish to back out and just use my arm. I'm just happy the X-ray was negative."

David Bell and the Tomas Vera out to look at Greene, who stayed in the game to complete his third scoreless inning. 

"It was well deserved to talk about the bullpen doing a great job.  A lot of things have to go right," Bell said.  

However, Buck Farmer started the fourth inning.  Bell elected to remove Greene from the contest.

Kevin Kelly took over for Beeks for the Rays.  The Reds got to him right away.

Newman doubled.  Jake Fraley and Nick Senzel, who started the game at third base, walked.  Kelly struck out Jose Barrero but TJ Friedl doubled to the right centerfield gap, clearing the bases to put the Reds ahead, 4-0.

"That was the key hit," said Bell.  The Rays out hit the Reds 8-7.  The Reds had more runs than hits.

After Farmer pitched a scoreless fourth but walked two batters one out into the fifth.  Bell brought in Alex Young.  On his second pitch, Brandon Lowe hit a liner to Myers at first, who doubled Bethancourt off second base.

The Rays loaded the bases against Young.   Randy Arozarena singled to start the inning. Wander Franco beat the relay on an attempted double play grounder to Barrero.  Isaac Paredes hit what looked like an inning ending double play that India bobbled.  Young struck out Josh Lowe for the second out.  Bell summoned Ian Gibaut to face right handed hitting Manuel Margot.  Fraley made a diving catch to keep the Rays from scoring.

"That was one of the best plays, I've seen all year," Bell said.  "Off the bat that was a hit. He came out of nowhere and all out he made a great play."

Newly recalled by the Rays, Cooper Criswell, hit India and Stuart Fairchild.  Tyler Stephenson singled India home.  Newman's third hit, a single expanded the margin to six runs.

Kevin Herget allowed one Rays' hit in a scoreless eighth. Josh Lowe hit his fourth home run of the year leading off the ninth to break the shut out.

Senzel singled and scored on Barrero's double off Criswell in the eighth.  Barrero went to third on the throw home with an acrobatic slide.  Friedl drove in his fourth run of the game with a ground out.