Thursday, 4 a.m.
And hello to you, Jose Siri. Nice to meet you.
Also, hello to David Peralta. Welcome to the Trop.
The two newest members of the Tampa Bay Rays introduced themselves properly Wednesday afternoon, combining for the winning run as the Rays came from behind to beat the Toronto Blue Jays, 3-2.
It goes without saying that the Rays could use some reinforcements after losing seven of their previous 10 games. It came together in the sixth inning, when Siri delivered his first hit as a Ray, stole second and scored on Peralta's single up the middle, which came on the seventh pitch of his at-bat.
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Siri, acquired from Houston, and Peralta, who came from Arizona, are expected to thicken a weak-hitting lineup.
"That’s the kind of attack that you’re looking for, just hope to see the rest of the way," said Rays' manager Kevin Cash. "Peralta had just a very professiat bat. He fouled off four, five or six pitches and then lined a ball to center field. I don’t think he has manly reps against (Adam) Cimber or any of those guys in that bullpen.
"(Siri) is a very athletic guy. He’s going to get it. He likes to swing,. Any way he can help us defensively or on the bases or at the plate we’ll take. We’re going to lean on them. We went out and got them to fill big roles on this team."
Speaking of bullpens, this one was a gift of the Rays' pen, which sent five pitchers to the mound. Together, they allowed just four hits and two runs.
Jalen Beeks started, then Ryan Yarbrough came in for a strong four innings. Ryan Thompson had two innings, and Jason Adam got his sixth save.
The Rays are third in the wild-card chase a half-game behind Seattle.
The Rays will open a series against Detroit tonight on the road at 7:10 p.m. Jeffrey Springs will start for the Rays against Drew Hutchison.