Wednesday, 4 a.m.
During the off-season, the Rays spent a lot of effort (and money) by signing pitchers with an eye toward yesterday.
Perhaps it would have been better to look toward tomorrow.
The Rays, who have scuffled along with veterans such as Rich Hill, Michael Wacha and Chris Archer, go there second straight solid efforts from the young duo of Shane McClanahan and Luis Patino Tuesday night. The two combined to lead the Rays to an 8-3 victory over the Los Angeles Angels.
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The sizzle was much like their first outings. McClanahan threw four innings and allowed just two hits and no runs. Patino came on for three innings, giving up two hits and one run.
“He’s so good,” McClanahan said of Patino. “It’s always really fun to watch him pitch. I think we’re looking at one of the best arms in the league. He’s electric.”
The Rays had a good night scoring, most of it because of Austin Meadows, who hit two home runs and drove in five to lead the offense. The Angels helped with four errors, a hit batter and a passed ball.
“He was very good again,” Cash said of McClanahan. “He and Luis both had really good performances. The amount of experience they’re gaining on the field, that’ll make you mature really quick.
“I thought it was a pretty consistent outing. We want to find as much consistency as we can. They’re both super talented. Their careers will take off when they’re as consistent as possible like we’ve seen Glasgow do all month long. I see McClanahan come in there with the strike-throwing ability. Luis comes in with a little more intensity.”
Cash said he wants to see McClanahan pitch deeper. “How you can you not?” he said.
The Rays have taken advantage of opponents’ errors for awhile now. In their last 18 games, opponents have had multiple errors in nine of them.
Of courses, it helps when Meadows can make a team pay for the extra at-bats it provides.
“He was disappointed he didn’t get it on his birthday (Monday),” Cash said. “I told him it didn’t matter. When if he’s going to hit a home run, it can be his birthday every day. We’ll celebrate like it is.”
The Rays play the Angels again tonight in Los Angeles at 9:38 p.m. The Rays will start Andrew Kittredge against the Angels Shohei Ohtani, who was supposed to start Monday’s game until being hit by a pitch on Sunday.