Tampa Bay Rays beat Astros behind strong start from Glasnow

The Tampa Bay Rays won their second game in as many days thanks to a strong start from Tyler Glasnow and some clutch 2-out hitting.

Tampa Bay Rays right hander Tyler Glasnow was impressive, throwing 5 strong innings, striking out 4 and only walking 1. He surrendered the only run of the game to Alex Bregman by way of a first inning bomb that just made it over the lowered wall down the left field corner.

Featuring his high-octane fastball and sharp curveball, Glasnow had to out-duel the equally impressive Collin McHugh who held the Rays hitless until the 5th. McCugh went 5, allowing 2 runs on 3 hits. He struck out 9, including Tommy Pham twice.

Entering the bottom half of the 5th down 1-0, Yandy Diaz led the way with a double down the third base line which would set the table for a game tying RBI double by Kevin Kiermaier. Micheal Perez would then give the Rays the lead with an RBI single.

Ryne Stanek would follow in relief of Glasnow and provide Kevin Cash with two shutout innings, striking out and walking 1.

The Astros would threaten in the 8th when Jose Altuve dropped down a bunt for a hit bringing up the go-ahead run in the form of Alex Bregman. Chaz Roe had other plans though, inducing a fly ball to center field. Next up was the ever dangerous Micheal Brantley…

Kevin Cash called upon Adam Kolarek to face the left handed hitter for the second time in as many days. Kolarek issued walks to Brantley and Gurriel, loading the bases. Josh Reddick would loft a liner towards the right center field gap but Avisail Garcia was there to make the catch and end the threat.

Michael Perez would put the Rays in position to score once again in the bottom of the 8th with a leadoff double. Perez would advance to third on a Guillermo Heredia sacrifice bunt. Tommy Pham would extend his on base steak (35 games) and the Rays lead with an RBI single, providing the Rays with some insurance.

Glasnow earned his first win of the year while McCugh took the loss. After struggling to command his fastball in the first two innings, Glasnow settled in and threw a combined 34 pitches in his final 3 innings of work. In total, the 6’8″ right hander threw 77 pitches, 51 of them for strikes. After a rough spring, Glasnow’s start was nice to see.

Jose Alvarado earned his second save of the year retiring Chirinos, White, and Marisnick in order, striking out the last two. The final score was 3-1.

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Rays hitters struck out 13 times but came through when it counted the most. With the win, Kevin Cash’s Rays put themselves in position take the series with a win tomorrow. The Rays opener hasn’t been announced, but Rays hitters will turn their attention to Wade Miley at 1:10 pm EST.