TAMPA BAY RAYS NOTES:
HIGHS AND LOWES — The Rays overcame a 2-0 ninth-inning deficit to stun the Diamondbacks last night at Chase Field, 3-2…Tampa Bay was limited to just a pair of hits over the first eight frames, both courtesy of Yandy Díaz (3-for-4, 2B, R), as Arizona claimed a 2-0 lead in the fourth…Díaz jumpstarted the ninth-inning rally with a lead-off single, followed by a base hit by SS Wander Franco (1-for-4, R) before DH Luke Raley (1-for-4, RBI, R) spoiled Arizona’s shutout bid with a run-scoring single…with two outs and runners on first and second, RF Josh Lowe (1-for-4, 2RBI, R) delivered a go-ahead two-run double, his second career go-ahead RBI in the ninth inning or later (also: solo HR on 4/4/23 at WSH)…RHP Pete Fairbanks (1.0IP, BB, SO) shut the door in the bottom half of the ninth for his ninth save.
RHP Zach Eflin (7.0IP, 7H, 2ER, 7SO) did not factor into the decision despite logging a season-high-tying 7.0 frames (4x, last: 5/25 vs. TOR)…it marked his third straight quality start and ninth of the season…the Rays remained undefeated (10-0) when their starter tosses 7.0+ innings.
The first three hitters in the Rays order went a combined 5-for-12 (.417) while the remainder of the lineup went 1-for-20 (.050).
The win marked Tampa Bay’s third of the season when trailing entering the ninth inning (also: 4/4 at WSH, 6/3 at BOS)…it also signaled their 18th come-from-behind victory.
STATE OF THE RAYS — The Rays have dropped six of 10, eight of 15, and nine of their last 17 games…they have alternated wins and losses over their last eight games since 6/20, going 4-4…Tampa Bay has been held to four or fewer runs in four straight games, its longest streak within a single season since a five-game run to conclude the 2022 campaign (10/1-5).
Since winning nine of their first 12 road games to open the campaign, the Rays are 12-15 (.444) in opposing ballparks since 4/30, tied for the eighth-ranked road winning pct. in the AL in that span…they have lost three of four, five of nine, and 10 of their last 18 road games.
Tampa Bay is just 4-for-27 (.148) with RISP over its last four games since 6/24.
The Rays currently lead the AL in both homers (124) and stolen bases (99)…they are looking to become the 10th team all-time to lead the AL in both categories at
the end of June, including the first since the 2015 Houston Astros (Elias)…the next closest team in homers, Los Angeles-AL (120), has two games remaining this month (6/29 vs. CWS, 6/30 vs. AZ)…the Rays have a 20-steal lead over Oakland (79).
WHIFF-FREE ZONE — Rays batters have struck out five or fewer times in four consecutive games, their longest streak since 6/20-24, 2014 (5G)…it ties Baltimore (4G, 5/9-13) for the second-longest such streak by any club this season, trailing a six-game run by Cleveland (5/18-23)…Tampa Bay has an MLB-best 13.7 pct. strikeout rate in that span (since 6/24), ahead of Atlanta (17.7%), after entering the stretch with the 16th-rated mark in the majors (22.6%).
Yandy Díaz has not struck out in his last 29 plate appearances, the second-longest active streak in the majors behind WSH Keibert Ruiz (30PA).
MR. CLUTCH — Josh Lowe has produced a 1.314 OPS in high leverage situations, the fourth-highest mark in the AL/seventh highest in the majors (FanGraphs); leverage is based on the inning, score, outs and number of runners on base…Lowe is slashing .256/.286/.413 (41-for-160) in innings 1-6 compared to .348/.416/.710 (24-for-69) in the seventh inning or later…his 1.126 OPS from the seventh inning on ranks second in the majors behind AZ Corbin Carroll’s 1.143 (min. 75PA).
Lowe’s .467 (14-for-30) average with runners in scoring position and two outs ranks second in MLB (min. 25AB) behind TEX Jonah Heim’s .471 (16-for-34).
His .373 (31-for-83) average overall with two outs ranks third in the majors (min. 60AB) behind BAL Austin Hays (.429) and LAD Freddie Freeman (.376).
THREE OF A KIND — Yandy Díaz has collected 3+ hits in three of his last five games, batting 11-for-20 (.550) overall in that span…on the season, his 10 games with 3+ hits are tied for the AL lead, trailing only ATL Ronald Acuña Jr. and MIA Luis Arraez (11G each) in all of MLB…the Rays are 9-1 in those contests.
Over his last 11 games since 6/14, his .413 (19-for-46) average ranks third in the majors (min. 40AB) behind Arraez (.460) and ATL Michael Harris II (.434).
Díaz ranks second in MLB in avg. exit velocity (94.7 mph), trailing only Acuña (95.0 mph)…the club record for avg. exit velocity by a qualified hitter in a season during the Statcast Era (since 2015) is 92.2 mph, set by Díaz in 2022.
MASHIN’ MANNY — Manuel Margot has hit safely in 10 of his last 11 games started since 6/9, batting .357 (15-for-42) with eight extra-base hits, 7 RBI and a .959 OPS in those games…his current six-game hitting streak matches his longest of the season (also 5/27- 6/5) and is the longest active run by a Rays hitter.
Margot opened the season batting .180 (11-for-61) over his first 21 games…since 4/26, his .305 AVG (40-for-131) is tied for 10th in the AL with Luke Raley (min. 130AB), trailing only Yandy Díaz (5th, .326) among Rays hitters.
INTERLEAGUE INTEL — Tampa Bay is 16-10 (.605) in Interleague play, the sixth-best winning pct. in the majors and third best in the AL behind New York-AL (12-5, .706) and Toronto (15-7, .682)…the Rays have compiled a +42 (134-92) run differential in Interleague games, second in the majors behind Miami’s +49 (130-81)…since winning nine of their first 10 games vs. NL opponents to open the season, the Rays are 7-9 in their last 16 Interleague matchups since 5/17, including 3-7 on the road in that span with five one-run losses.
AND NOW WE WAIT… — Phase 2 of MLB All-Star voting concluded earlier today at noon ET, and the full starting lineups will be announced tonight at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN… as of yesterday’s voting update, Yandy Díaz still held a lead over TOR Vladimir Guerrero Jr. with 53 pct. of the vote among AL first basemen.…Randy Arozarena maintained 22 pct. of the AL outfield vote, second behind LAA Mike Trout (24%), with NYY Aaron Judge (19%) continuing to round out the top three.
Díaz ranks among AL leaders in OBP (1st), AVG (2nd), OPS (2nd) and SLG (4th).
Arozarena ranks among AL outfielders in OBP (1st, .401), walks (1st, 44), OPS (2nd, .876), RBI (2nd, 54), fWAR (4th, 2.7), AVG (4th, .286) and SLG (5th, .475).
DESERT DUEL — The Rays and Diamondbacks conclude their ninth all-time series this afternoon, including the fifth at Chase Field…Tampa Bay is 7-6 in this ballpark, with its most recent visit coming from 6/6-8, 2016 (2-1).
With a win today, the Rays would claim their third consecutive series win over the D-backs dating back to 2016, and their first road series win over an NL club since 4/17-19 at Cincinnati…entering today’s contest, Tampa Bay is 4-4 in rubber games, including 1-3 on the road — the lone victory came on 4/19 at Cincinnati.
TODAY’S SCHEDULED RELIEVER: RHP YONNY CHIRINOS (3-3, 3.91)
TODAY’S OPENER — RHP Zack Littell will serve as today’s opener before giving way to RHP Yonny Chirinos…it will mark his first start of the season and the fifth of his career…in his last start on 6/15/21 vs. Arizona as a member of the San Francisco Giants, he failed to record an out after allowing four runs on four hits and two walks with no strikeouts… overall, he has pitched to a 13.50 ERA (8.0IP, 12ER) in his four other starts.
A LOOK AT LITTELL — Littell was claimed off waivers from Boston on 5/12 and has made eight relief appearances for the Rays since, pitching to a 5.79 ERA (9.1IP, 6ER)…he was placed on the 15-day injured list with right shoulder fatigue on 5/24…since his activation from the injured list on 6/14, he has made four appearances, pitching to a 4.50 ERA (6.0IP, 3ER)… has made 155 career appearances between Minnesota (2018-2020), San Francisco (2021-2022), Boston (2023) and Tampa Bay.
ONE TO FORGET — In his last outing on 6/24 vs. Kansas City, Yonny Chirinos allowed a career-high eight runs while surrendering a career-high-tying nine hits (4x, last 7/18/19 at NYY) across 5.1 innings.
It matched the most earned runs allowed by a Rays starter this season (also: Josh Fleming on 5/28 vs. LAD).
UNFAMILIAR FOE—Chirinos will be making his first career appearance against the Diamondbacks…in three career appearances (2 starts) against NL West foes, Chirinos is 1-1 with a 2.70 ERA (13.1IP, 4ER)…in eight career Interleague appearances (4 starts), he is 3-1 with a 2.60 ERA (34.2IP, 10ER), including 1-1 with a 4.50 ERA (12.0IP, 6ER) this season.
A TALE OF TWO ROLES — In seven relief appearances this season, Chirinos is 2-1 with a 1.98 ERA (27.1IP, 6ER), posting a .168 (16-for-95) opponent batting average and 0.88 WHIP…in four starts this year, he is 1-2 with a 6.43 ERA (21.0IP, 15ER) while allowing opponents to hit .284 (23-for81) and registering a 1.48 WHIP.
For his career, Chirinos is 11-3 with a 3.09 ERA (116.2IP, 40ER) in 27 relief appearances compared to 7-10 with a 3.95 ERA (173.0IP, 76ER) in 33 starts.
PITCH MIX — Chirinos throws his split finger 14.3 pct. of the time and has held opponents to a .063 (2-for-32) average on the offering…both hits have been singles…he has produced a 32.7 whiff pct. on the offering, his highest on any pitch.
Min. 25 PA, no pitcher in the AL has produced a lower batting average on their split finger and only CIN Fernando Cruz (.047) has a lower mark in the majors.
Chirinos has had the least success with his slider, as opposing hitters are batting .306 (15-for-49) while slugging .592 in plate appearances that end with the pitch…three of his five homers allowed and only three of his 23 strikeouts have come on his slider.
EARLY SUCCESS — When Chirinos’ pitch count sits between 1-45, he is holding opponents to a .145 (16-for-110) batting average while allowing two doubles, 3 HR and 5 RBI…when his pitch count resides between 46-75, opponents are batting .380 (19-for-50) with nine doubles, 2 HR and 12 RBI.
THIS AND THAT — He has held opponents to a .190 AVG (8-for-42) with runners in scoring position, including 3-for-16 (.188) with RISP and two outs…opposing hitters 11-for-27 (.407) with two doubles and 2 HR on the first pitch of an at bat…in two strike counts, he has limited opponents to a .130 (10-for-77) clip.
Chirinos, whose 46.5 pct. ground ball rate is the highest rate of any season in his career (excluding 2G in 2022), has benefitted from Tampa Bay’s defense, as opponents have registered a .227 batting average on balls in play, the fourth-lowest mark in the AL (min. 40.0IP) (leader: BAL Tyler Wells – .193).
His 11.6 pct. strikeout rate is the lowest mark of his career, below his 2020 campaign (19.23%), and is the second-lowest mark in the majors (min. 40.0IP) behind STL Adam Wainwright (10.9%).
ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS NOTES:
TOP OF THE WEST: The D-backs are in first place in the NL West (+2.5) and have spent 50 days in/tied for first place in the division.
ALL-STAR WORTHY: D-backs All-Star outfield finalists Corbin Carroll and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. are facing off vs. Mookie Betts/LAD and Michael Harris II/ATL for the final 2 starting spots…winners will be announced today at 4:00 p.m. AZ on ESPN.
♦ Carroll is bidding for his first career All-Star appearance and would become the first D-backs rookie in franchise history to earn a fan-elected start and would be just the second D-backs rookie ever (first position player) to appear in the Midsummer Classic, joining Wade Miley (2012).
♦ Gurriel Jr. is also aiming for his first career All-Star nod, and along with Carroll, is attempting to become the first D-backs outfielder to gain a starting assignment since Luis Gonzalez in 2001…either would become just the sixth D-backs player ever to earn a fan election, joining Paul Goldschmidt (2014-15), Jay Bell (1999), Gonzalez, Ketel Marte (2019) and Matt Williams (1999).
TODAY’S ROSTER MOVES:
♦ Recalled RHP Brandon Pfaadt from Triple-A Reno.
♦ Optioned RHP Justin Martinez to Reno following last night’s game.
SECURING A SERIES: With a win today, the D-backs would secure their first series win vs. Rays since Aug. 6-7, 2013 (2 games) and first 3-game series win since June 18-20, 2007 (2-1).
HALFWAY THROUGH 2023: The D-backs 48 wins through the first 81 games tied for the second-most wins in franchise history (also: 2002, Div. Champs), behind 50
set in 2017 (Wild Card) and 2001 (WS Champs).
NEW JUNE STOLEN BASE RECORD: Last night, Arizona collected its 28th stolen base of the month to set a new franchise June record, surpassing 27 set in 2015…the 28 stolen bases are third most in MLB in June, behind the Reds (49) and Astros (30).
♦ The D-backs have recorded 1+ stolen bases in 8 straight games (since June 20), the third-longest streak in franchise history…the last time Arizona stole a base in 9+ games in a season was July 13-22, 2007 (franchise record 10 games).
JUNE BOOM: In the month of June, the D-backs rank among the Majors in runs (3rd, 137), stolen bases (3rd, 28), hits (4th, 232), extra-base hits (T-4th, 89), OBP (T-4th, .342) and SLG (5th, 790).
♦ Ketel Marte (4th, 1.087 OPS) and Christian Walker (8th, 1.057 OPS) rank among MLB’s top 10 OPS leaders in June…only the Braves and Rangers have as many players included.
WALKER REACHES 12: Christian Walker has hit safely in a career-high 12 straight games at a .404 clip (19-for47)/1.196 OPS with 7 doubles, 3 home runs, 12 RBI and 4 walks (3 strikeouts)…it is the Majors’ third-longest active hit streak, behind Jordan Walker/STL (16) and Bo Bichette/TOR (13).
KETEL EXTENDS TO 21: Ketel Marte has reached base safely in 21 straight games (+ 6-game hitting streak), the Majors’ longest active on-base streak (.338; 26-for-77,
3 2B, 7 HR, 21 RBI, 17 BB).
♦ Since April 26, he has reached base safely in 51 of his 52 games…did not reach base on June 2 vs. Braves.
EXTRA! EXTRA! The D-backs’ 55 straight games with an extra-base hit (since April 28, 34-21 record) is tied for the Majors’ longest active streak (also: Angels)…it is the third longest in a season in club history, behind 57 games (July 28-Sept. 28, 2003) and 69 games (July 18-Oct. 7, 2001).
INTERLEAGUE INSIGHT: The D-backs are 12-7 (.632) in Interleague Play this season (vs. Tigers, Royals, Rangers, Athletics, Red Sox and Rays), the fourth-highest win
percentage in the Majors, behind the Marlins (19-7; .731), Yankees (12-5; .706) and Blue Jays (15-7; .682).
♦ D-backs among qualified MLB leaders in interleague play:
PLAYER AVG PLAYER HR PLAYER OPS
L. Arraez/MIA … .396 R. Acuña Jr./ATL . 11 L. Robert Jr./CWS 1.275
L. Robert Jr./CWS .385 C. Walker/AZ …… 8 C. Carroll/AZ 1.195
A. Judge/NYY … .360 J. Soler/MIA ……….. 8 J. Soto/SD ……. 1.144
C. Carroll/AZ .. .353 P. Alonso/NYM ……. 8 A. Judge/NYY 1.129
T. Estrada/SF ….. .347 J. Kelenic/SEA ……. 8 R. Acuña Jr./ATL 1.115
SOLID SINCE MAY 28: The D-backs’ 19-10 record (.655) since May 28 is the fourth best in the Majors, behind the Braves (22-6, .786), Marlins (20-8, .714) and Reds (20-9, 690).
TOP 5 RECORD: The D-backs’ 48-33 (.593) season record is fi fth in the Majors, behind the Rays (55-28, .663), Braves (53-27, .662), Rangers (49-31, .613) and Orioles (48-31, .608).
NO SHUTOUT STREAK CONTINUES, NINTH BEST SINCE 1998: The D-backs extended their club record to 81 games without a shutout to start the season (previous: 78 games from April 1-June 27, 2013; shutout 3-0 in game 79 on June 28 @ Braves).
♦ It is the Majors’ ninth-longest streak since 1998: Reds (163 G, April 3-Oct. 1, 2000), Rangers (160 G, April 1-Oct. 5, 2001), Yankees (138 G, March 28-Sept. 1, 2019), Orioles (133 G, April 2-Aug. 31, 2007), Rangers (96, March 31-July 13, 2008), Tigers (April 5-July 16, 2012), Yankees (89 G, April 2-July 16 [GM1], 2017) and Nationals’ 86-gamer (April 3-July 7, 2017).
♦ Arizona is the only team to not be shut out in 2023.
STARTING PITCHER – RHP BRANDON PFAADT ♦ #32
AT A GLANCE: Entered this season as the D-backs’ No. 4 prospect by The Athletic (No. 38 overall) and MLB Pipeline (No. 59 overall).
- D-backs’ fifth-round pick in the 2020 draft out of Bellarmine University (2018-20), their second-highest pick behind Todd Wellemeyer (4th round, 2000).
- The D-backs’ 2022 Minor League Pitcher of the Year led the organization in wins, ERA and strikeouts…went 11-7 with a 3.83 ERA (71 ER in 167.0 IP), 218 strikeouts and 1.16 WHIP in 29 starts at Double-A Amarillo and Triple-A Reno.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: Recalled from Triple-A Reno prior to today’s game.
- Seeking his first Major League win.
- Making his third start against an AL opponent and second against an AL East opponent.
- Was optioned on May 27…in 5 starts with the Aces from June 1-24, went 3-0 with a 3.16 ERA (9 ER in 25.2 IP) with 28 strikeouts, a .229 opponent average and 1.05 WHIP.
LAST START : Took the loss on May 26 vs. Red Sox (5 ER in 3.2 IP).
VS. RAYS: Is making his first career start vs. Rays.
- Sixth youngest (24-256) D-backs starter to face the Rays, behind Edgar González (23-119) in 2006, Randall Delgado (23-179) in 2013, Archie Bradley (23-303) in 2016, Lance Cormier (23- 305) in 2004 and Robbie Ray (24-249) in 2016.
- 14th starter to face the Rays @ Chase Field.
TEAM WINS: The D-backs are 3-2 in his 5 starts.
EARLY RISER: Is making his fourth career day start…the team is 3-0 in his day starts.
HOW SWEEP IT IS: Opposing batters are hitting .214 (6-for-28) with 9 strikeouts on his sweeper.
AHEAD IN THE COUNT: Has a .138 average (4-for-29) with no walks and 10 strikeouts when he is ahead in the count.
IT’S UNDER CONTROL: Has walked 2 or fewer batters in 4 of his 5 starts. 0-2 GOT YOU: Has a .208 (10-for-48) opponents average and 18 strikeouts with 2 strikes and opponents are 1-for-7 (.143) with 4 strikeouts on an 0-2 count.
