Saturday, 4 a.m.
This is the way this Opener Strategy is supposed to work.
Different arms, different angles, different matchups. Keep the hitters on their heels. Keep them away from home plate.
You know, like the Rays did Friday night when they slipped past San Francisco 2-1.
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The Rays used six pitchers, who gave up six hits and six walks. But the Rays kept getting out of trouble. The Giants left nine men on base and were 0-for-10 with runners in scoring position. Rays’ pitchers struck out 10.
It was enough to allow two runs hold up for the win. The Rays had a chance for more in the second, loading the bases with no one out. But the only run the Rays managed came when Yandy Diaz walked to force in Harold Ramirez on a 3-2 pitch.
In the third, Amed Rosario doubled to right to score Ramirez. Rosario reached third when third baseman Matt Chapman was called for obstruction.
Jacob Waguespack started and allowed one run on a wild pitch in the second. Garrett Cleavinger got the win by pitching 1 2/3 innings.
The final four relievers were more impressive. Phil Mahon retired the only batter he faced; Colin Poche struck out two in one-third of an inning; Jason Adam had a perfect eighth; and Pete Fairbanks got out of the ninth for his third save.
Ramirez had three of the Rays’ six hits and Rosario had two.
The teams play again today at 3:10 p.m. at Tropicana Field. The Rays will start Ryan Pepiot against Logan Webb.