Andriese leads Rays to a shutout victory

by Gary Shelton on May 26, 2017 · 0 comments

in general, Tampa Bay Rays

Andries has been one of the Rays' best starters this year./CARMEN MANDATO

Andries has been one of the Rays' best starters this year./CARMEN MANDATO

Friday, 2 a.m.

Who's number one?

When it comes to the most important part of a team — of any team — it is often as clear as water. There is an ace in the starting rotation, and there are backup singers. There is a star, and there is a supporting cast. There is the lead car, and there are a bunch of guys playing chase.

Ah, but if you're weighing the starters of the Tampa Bay Rays, what do you have? You have Chris Archer, the last all-star of the bunch. But he's 3-3. You have Jake Odorizzi, and his 3.14 ERA. But he's 3-2. You have Alex Cobb, still trying to find his old stuff. But he's 4-4. You have Blake Snell, but his locker is in Durham these days.

And, of course, you have Matt Andriese, the afterthought.

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Kiermaiaer barely beats close throw in stealing second./CARMEN MANDATO

Kiermaier barely beats close throw in stealing second./CARMEN MANDATO

Well, don't look now, but Andriese is 5-1. Thursday, he went eight innings and scattered six hits in leading the Rays to a 4-0 win over the Angels. For a fifth starter, he's looked fairly like a No. 1.

“I know Matt started the fifth game, and he gets labeled as that,” said Rays' manager Kevin Cash. “But he's not a fifth starter. He's got plenty of stuff to a be a middle or top of the ration starter. That's how he's pitched this year.”

You could make a great argument that Andriese has been the

Rasmus flexed his muscles in a 4-RBI night./CARMEN MANDATO

Rasmus flexed his muscles in a 4-RBI night./CARMEN MANDATO

most consistent starter of the season. His ERA is 3.24, and he leads his team in wins.

Andriese was able to keep the Angels off balance for most of the game. In the first, Steven Souza threw out Mike Trout at the plate to keep the shutout alive.

“Anytime the ball is put in play and he (Mike Trout) is on second base, you have to make a pretty good throw to get him. It came right to me. It hit exactly where I was playing and I tried to get it low so (Jesus) Sucre had a play. I mean, I had to make my best throw and put it there, and fortunately it worked out."

Said Cash: “It was pretty important. They'd scored some early

Tommy Hunter finished the game with a scoreless ninth./CARMEN MANDATO

Tommy Hunter finished the game with a scoreless ninth./CARMEN MANDATO

runs off of us, and anytime you can prevent that from happening … You come in energized in the dugout. We talk a lot about Mike Trout and we should, but (Andrelton) Simmons... For this series, it seemed like he beat us up. He just got big hit after big hit.”

Andriese didn't seem overjoyed by his outing.

“It was one of those games where I just battle through,” he said. “I didn't have great location on all my pitches, but early in the game, I made some big pitches when I needed to.”

Andriese shrugged off the won-loss record, but he said it is

Cash separates Morrison from the ump Andy Flether./CARMEN MANDATO

Cash separates Morrison from the ump Andy Flether./CARMEN MANDATO

important that he gives his team a chance to win.

“It's very important,” he said. “Going deep in the games, like I always preach, is the most important thing. Saving the bullpen and keeping those guys fresh for the next series is huge. Going out there and throwing trikes and being competitive is important.”

Rasmus had hit only .167 in his previous 10 games, but he hit a two-run single and a two-run double to drive in all four runs.

“It's tough,” Rasmus said. “I just look at it as I've been getting pitched pretty tough. My swings have been feeling pretty good. They're not going to make mistakes to me; they know who I am. I've been around long enough. There's a good enough reports on

me...where not to throw the ball. The guys on the other side are getting paid a lot of money to try and get us out.”

The Rays now travel ot Minnesota to play the Twins. Chris Archer pitches for Tampa Bay against Hector Santiago.

Souza (left) made a throw to the plate to get Trout (right)./CARMEN MANDATO

Souza (left) made a throw to the plate to get Trout (right)./CARMEN MANDATO

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