Adames is suddenly hot for Rays./JEFFREY S. KING
Sunday, 3 a.m.
It wasn't that long ago, but Willy Adames was far, far away.
He was in Dumpsville, okay. He was struggling to the point where was was staring at his third demotion of the season. He was in the shadows, and he seemed to be lost.
It was August 1, twelve games ago, and Adames was hitting just .200. He made seven errors in 13 games.
And then Adeiny Hechavarria was designated for assignment, and Adames took off.
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Diego Castillo got the win for Tampa Bay./JEFFREY S. KING
Adames has had hits in eight of 10 games since the Rays moved Hechavarria out of the way. He has a five-game hitting streak, and he's increased his average to .243. He hasn't made an error in his last nine games.
Adames was at it again Saturday, driving in an insurance run in the ninth and collecting two hits. Joey Wendle and C.J. Cron each had two hits.
Wendle has become a consistent hitter for Rays./JEFFREY S. KING
"We’ve been working on mechanics," Adames said. "I moved my hands and I felt more comfortable. I’ve been feeling better at the plate."
The Rays have allowed only one run in the two games of this series. Saturday, they pieced together a game with six pitchers, none of whom went more than 2 2/3 innings.
Diego Castillo got the win, his third of the season.
"You've got to give credit to every person who came in," said Rays' manager Kevin Cash. "They really did a nice job. Responded well. They buy in. It doesn’t surprise anyone. Kyle (Snyder, the pitching coach) does a good job
Romo got his 15th save./JEFFREY S. KING
keeping the guys heads up. Anytime you can limit a team to one run, you've done a good job."
Wendle, too, remained hot. Of his last seven games, he has four multi-hit games.
Once again, the Rays won with their "opener" strategy
"I think it's been successful," Cash said. "It allows some of these young pitchers that were starters in Triple-A and are coming up through the system, to get a little deeper in the ballgame, and we can make a decision on that third time through the lineup, especially the top of the lineup for whatever opposing team we're facing."
The Rays play the Jays again today. Tyler Glasnow will pitch against Marcus Stroman in a 1:07 game.
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