Wednesday, 4 a.m.
Just when you were ready to reconsider Taj Bradley, he made a plea for you to re-reconsider his place in the Tampa Bay Rays’ rotation.
Bradley, 5-5, had been struggling for the Rays. He lost three in a row, then gave up five and seven runs in his next two no-decisions.
Tuesday night, however, Bradley was at his best. He pitched 5 2/3 perfect innings in a 5-1 victory over the Kansas City Royals. In all, he threw 6 2/3 innings of two-hit, shutout baseball. The Rays didn’t give up a run until two were out in the ninth.
The Rays had 11 hits, including three each by Yandy Diaz and Jonathan Aranda. Jose Caballero had two hits.
Tampa Bay is now within 1 1/2 games of the division-leading Yankees, who lost in 11 innings to Cincinnati.
Catcher Danny Jansen drove in three runs with a two-run homer and a sacrifice fly.
The Royals finished with four hits.
The Rays and Royals play again tonight at 7:40 p.m. Drew Rasmussen will start for the Rays against ex-Ray Michael Wacha.