Wednesday, 4 a.m.
Even in victory, the question has to be asked.
What in the world is wrong with Pete Fairbanks, supposedly the best reliever in a pretty good bullpen?
Oh, things had been shaped up just fine for the Rays and their bullpen in Tuesday night’s 6-4 victory over the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Aaron Civale had managed to leave the fifth inning with a 4-3 lead and, for a while, things went according to the schematics. Phil Maton threw a shutout inning. Colin Poche threw a shutout inning. Scott Adam threw a shutout inning.
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Then it was up to Fairbanks, who struggled again. He gave up two hits, a walk and a run, looking unlike the dominating closer he was at times a year ago. Oh, he got the save, but it wasn’t exactly smooth sailing. Added to his three-walk outing in his previous appearance, it is enough to cause a little concern.
Except for that, it was a keeper of a night for the Rays, who got 12 hits in their win. They survived a two-run homer by Mike Trout.
Jose Caballeros had three hits. Both Harold Ramirez and Isaac Paredes had two hits each. Paredes also hit his fourth home run of the season.
The Rays are at the Angels again today at 4:07 p.m.