Monday, 4 a.m.
In the snapshot of the moment, the Tampa Bay Rays were in trouble.
Once again, a game against the Colorado Rockies had turned into late-game drama. The Rays led 3-1, but the bases were loaded and no one was out. Ryan McMahon, who had hit a grand slam against the Rays earlier in the series, was at the plate.
Which was when Shawn Armstrong stood up.
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Armstrong coaxed a ground ball out of McMahon, with the Rays’ Issaac Paredes getting the force at home. Four pitches later, he got Kris Bryant to hit into a double play to get out of trouble.
Armstrong also pitched the ninth, giving up a walk and a single and one run. Again, he managed to close the door.
Armstrong’s strong finish matched up well with the start of Ryan Pepiot, who threw six shutout innings. He allowed just three hits and struck out 11.
Austin Shenton had his first two major league hits, including a run-scoring double. Jose Siri also had two hits.
The Rays now travel to Anaheim to face the Angels at 9:38 p.m. tonight.