TAMPA BAY RAYS NOTES:
QUEEN CITY BLUES — The Rays dropped last night’s series opener in Cincinnati, falling by an 8-1 final…the Reds led, 4-0, before tacking on a pair of runs in both the seventh and eighth innings…RF Josh Lowe (2-for-4, HR, RBI, R) spoiled Cincinnati’s shutout bid with a lead-off homer in the ninth inning…the seven-run defeat marked the Rays’ largest loss since 9/10/22 at New York-AL (10-3).
LHP Jalen Beeks (3.0IP, H, ER, 2BB, SO) made his second start of the season and took the loss…3.0 IP marked his longest outing since 7/27/20 vs. Atlanta (also 3.0IP).
After having his contract selected from Triple-A Durham ahead of the game, RHP Cooper Criswell (4.0IP, 4H, 4ER, 7SO) pitched the final four innings for Tampa Bay, fanning seven…threw 82 pitches, his most in any outing since 9/23/21 vs. Sacramento as a member of Triple-A Salt Lake (93 pitches).
Despite the loss, Tampa Bay’s 14-3 mark is still the best 17-game start in the majors since Boston in 2018 (15-2)…since 2004, only the Rays and the 2018 Red Sox have won at least 14 of their first 17 games.
ROSTER MOVES — Prior to tonight’s game, the Rays recalled RHP Taj Bradley from Triple-A Durham and placed LHP Jeffrey Springs on the 15-day injured list…Bradley, the Rays No. 1 prospect (MLB.com), will be making his second career start this evening.
BOMBS AWAY — Tampa Bay has hit a major league-best 37 home runs, third most through a team’s first 17 games of a season in MLB history (since 1901) behind the 2000 St. Louis Cardinals (40HR) and 2019 Seattle Mariners (38HR)…the current record for homers through 18 games is 42 HR, held by the 2000 Cardinals, followed by the 2019 Mariners (39HR), 2009 Texas Rangers (38HR) and 1956 Cincinnati Reds (37HR).
Tampa Bay has homered in each of its first 17 games, the second-longest streak to open a season in MLB history (since 1901) behind only the 2019 Mariners’ 20- game run…marks the Rays’ longest streak at any point in a single season since an 18-game run from 8/19-9/8, 2017.
LOWE’S HOME (RUN) IMPROVEMENT — After entering the season with two homers in 181 career at-bats (90.5 AB/HR), Josh Lowe has belted four home runs in 43 at-bats in 2023 (10.75 AB/HR)…Lowe has also seen improvements in his whiff rate (2023: 23.9%; 2022: 32.6%) and strikeout rate (2023: 17.4%; 2022: 33.3%) thus far compared to his performance last season.
Lowe is batting .414 (12-for-29) with 3 HR against breaking and off-speed pitches this season compared to .203 (16-for-79) with zero homers in 2022.
He has reached base safely in each of his last six games, slashing .400/.444/.840 (10-for-25) with two doubles, 3 HR and 8 RBI in that span…Lowe’s 1.284 OPS during that stretch (since 4/9) ranks sixth in the majors (min. 25PA).
BOTH SIDES OF THE BALL — The Rays lead MLB in runs scored (115) while permitting the third-fewest runs (50)…Tampa Bay’s +65 run differential is tied for fifth-best through the first 17 games of a season in MLB history (since 1901) and is the best mark since the 2016 Chicago Cubs (+67)…the current record since 1901 through 18 games is +80, done by the 1905 New York Giants, followed by the 1918 Giants (+72) and 1993 Detroit Tigers (+67).
Tampa Bay’s 115 runs scored are its most through 17 games in club history, ahead of the 2010 Rays (98R)…the only other major league club since 2001 to reach that threshold through 17 games was Seattle in 2019 (124R).
The Rays’ 50 runs allowed are second-fewest through 17 games in club history, behind the 2019 team (42R).
ON THE MOUND — Tampa Bay’s 2.88 ERA is the second-best mark in the majors behind Minnesota (2.60)…this includes the second-best starter ERA (2.60) behind Minnesota (2.58) and sixth-best bullpen ERA (3.22)…Rays pitchers rank among MLB leaders in opponents’ OPS (1st, .572), opponents’ average (2nd, .200), WHIP (2nd, 1.07), fewest pitches per IP (2nd, 15.34), lowest average exit velocity (3rd, 87.7 mph) and first-pitch strike pct. (3rd, 63.6%).
Tampa Bay has allowed just eight home runs over 150.0 innings, good for an MLBbest 0.48 HR/9.0IP…marks the fewest homers permitted by any major league club through 17 games since New York-NL (6HR) and Chicago-AL (7HR) in 2016.
This success comes despite Tampa Bay using 18 different pitchers, tied for second most in the majors behind Seattle (19 pitchers).
IN THE BOX — Rays hitters rank among MLB leaders in runs scored (1st, 115), OPS (1st, .880), slugging pct. (1st, .529), extra-base hits (1st, 72), total bases (1st, 304), batting average (3rd, .277) and hard-hit pct. (4th, 44.9%)…Tampa Bay’s four games with 10+ runs are tied with Chicago-NL for most in the majors…the Rays have pushed across 7+ runs in 10 of their 17 games.
RAYS AND REDLEGS — The Rays and Reds meet this week in Cincinnati for the lone series between the two clubs this season…Tampa Bay was swept in a three-game set at Great American Ball Park last season (7/8-10, 2022) — the Rays most recent win in Cincinnati came on 4/12/14 (1-0)…the Rays have lost four straight to the Reds, their longest losing streak to Cincinnati since a seven-game skid from 6/10/03-6/27/11 to open the all-time series between the two clubs.
REWRITING HISTORY — Prior to Friday night’s 6-3 loss in Toronto, the Rays became the fourth team in MLB history to begin a season 13-0, joining the 1987 Milwaukee Brewers (13-0), 1982 Atlanta Braves (13-0) and 1884 St. Louis Maroons (20-0)…it marked the longest win streak in club history, surpassing a 12-game run from 6/9-22, 2004.
The Rays won each of their first nine games by 4+ runs, the second-longest streak to open a season in MLB history behind the 1884 Maroons (13 straight)… ties the fourth-longest overall streak of 4+ run wins in MLB history and marks the longest since the 1939 New York Yankees (10G, 8/20-28, 1939).
Tampa Bay pitching strung together a 32.0 scoreless inning streak from 4/8-11, the longest streak in club history and longest single-season streak in MLB since St. Louis from 8/5-9, 2015 (38.0IP)…the streak included a franchise-record three consecutive shutouts (4/8-10) — Tampa Bay became the first club to record three straight shutouts within a single season since Cleveland in 2017 (8/25-27, 2017).
SPREADING THE WEALTH — The Rays have an MLB-leading 11 players with multiple homers: Brandon Lowe (5HR), Yandy Díaz (4HR), Wander Franco (4HR), Josh Lowe (4HR), Randy Arozarena (3HR), Christian Bethancourt (3HR), Isaac Paredes (3HR), Luke Raley (3HR), Harold Ramírez (3HR), Manuel Margot (2HR) and Jose Siri (2HR)…the next closest team is San Francisco (9 players).
TONIGHT’S STARTER: RHP TAJ BRADLEY (1-0, 5.40)
TALKIN’ TAJ — Tampa Bay’s No. 1 prospect and the No. 18 prospect in baseball (MLB.com) will make his second career start tonight in Cincinnati, including his first on the road…went 7-4 with a 2.57 ERA (133.1IP, 38ER) over 28 starts between Double-A Montgomery and Triple-A Durham in 2022…was selected by the Rays in the fifth round of the 2018 First-Year Player Draft.
BIG LEAGUE DEBUT — Bradley earned the win in his major league debut after tossing 5.0 innings, allowing three runs on five hits and a walk with eight strikeouts…fanned Rafael Devers in the first inning for the first strikeout of his career…became the third player to make their big league debut for the Rays this season, joining RHP Kevin Kelly on 4/1 vs. Detroit and RHP Braden Bristo on 4/13 vs. Boston
ONE TO REMEMBER — Bradley’s eight strikeouts on 4/12 vs. Boston were second most by a Rays player in his major league debut in club history, trailing only Wade Davis’ nine punch outs on 9/6/09 vs. Detroit…since the beginning of 2020, only Cleveland’s Triston McKenzie (10SO, 8/22/20 vs. DET) and Washington’s Joan Adon (9SO, 10/3/21 vs. BOS) have fanned more batters in their debuts.
The current Rays record for most strikeouts through two career games is 15, done by Andy Sonnanstine (6/5-10, 2007).
DEBUT DERBY — Bradley became the second of three Rays to make their major league debut in 2023, along with RHP Kevin Kelly (4/1 vs. DET) and RHP Braden Bristo (4/13 vs. BOS)…he is the first pitcher to debut with the Rays as a starter since RHP Tommy Romero, who served as an opener on 4/12/2022 vs. Oakland.
The three debuts are tied with Milwaukee and Oakland for most in the majors this season…in 2022, nine players made their MLB debuts with the Rays, tied for fourth most in a season in club history and most since a franchise-record 12 debuts in 2018.
CINCINNATI REDS NOTES:
RED HOTS
• The Reds today returned from a rehabilitation assignment and reinstated from the 15-day injured list RHP Lucas Sims (low back spasms)…optioned to Louisville RHP Kevin Herget.
• Sims went on the injured list on Opening Day…from 4/9-4/15 he made 3 official rehabilitation assignments for Louisville (0-0, 0.00, 3ip, 1h, 0r, 2bb, 3k, 1.00whip, .100baa)…Sun at Toledo he started for the Bats and after allowing a leadoff triple threw a scoreless inning (1h, 1k, 17 pitches)…the game was rained out in the middle of the third inning.
• Hunter Greene left last night’s game after the third inning with a right tibia contusion…in-game x-rays were negative…suffered the injury on a comebacker by Yandy Díaz that resulted in the first out of the top of the third…Greene finished the inning…will be evaluated again today.
• RHP Levi Stoudt (#58) is expected to start tomorrow in his Major League debut…in 3 starts for Louisville went 0-1, 4.09 (11ip, 8h, 5er, 9bb, 10k, 3hr). • RHP Luke Weaver (right forearm tightness) is expected to come off the 15-day injured list to pitch Thu at Pit…
TONIGHT’S GAME
• Is Game 2 (1-0) of a 3-game series vs Dave Wills’ Rays and Game 6 (3-2) of a 7-game homestand that included a 2-2 series split with the defending National League champion Phillies.
• Following this series the Reds will make a brief road trip to Pit for a 4-game weekend series vs the Pirates, then return to Great American Ball Park for a 3-game homestand vs Tex before heading to Oak (3g) and SD (3g).
SERIES NOTES
• The Reds and Rays are meeting for the seventh time overall and for the second consecutive season.
• The Reds are 14-5 all-time vs the Rays, including 3-0 here last season and 8-2 overall in Cincinnati.
• The Reds’ 19 games vs the Rays are tied for their fifth-fewest vs any opponent in the American League (Orioles 15, Angels 16, Red Sox 17, Mariners 18, Rangers 19).
• The Reds won 4 of the previous 6 series vs the Rays, including 3-game series sweeps in June 2003 at Tropicana Field, June 2005 at Great American Ball Park and July 2022 at GABP.
• Dating back to the 2014 season, the Reds have won the last 5 games vs TB at GABP, including last season’s 3-0 series sweep here in July.
• The Rays last won in Cincinnati on 4/12/14 (1-0 win).
• From 1997-2022 the Redlegs went 188-247 vs the American League, at .432 the lowest interleague winning percentage of any Major League team…in 2022 the Reds went 12-8 vs AL teams (0-2 vs Cle, 2-0 at Cle, 1-2 at Tor, 1-1 at Bos, 3-0 vs TB, 2-1 at NYY, 2-1 vs Bal, 1-1 vs Bos)…last season’s was their first winning record vs the American League since 2013 (11-9)…in the 8 seasons between the 2013 & 2022 season series wins, the Reds went 61-99 vs AL teams (.381).
PIRATES UP NEXT
• This weekend Reds will face the Pirates in a 4-game series at PNC Park.
• The Reds earned a 2-1 series win vs Pit in the series that opened this 2023 championship season.
• Beginning in 2021 at Great American Ball Park, the Reds are 14-8 vs Pit with a 134-78 advantage in runs scored… the Reds have won 22 of the last 41 games overall vs the Pirates, including 19 of the last 28 games vs Pit at GABP.
• The Reds went 14-29 at Pit’s PNC Park the previous 5 seasons, including an 11-game losing streak spanning 2018- 2019 and an 8-game losing streak there to begin the 2019 season.
LEADING OFF
• In the first inning, Reds batters lead the Major Leagues in on-base percentage (.423) while ranking second in batting average (.339, Atl .403), fourth in slugging percentage (.548) and T7th in runs scored (12).
• When leading off the Reds’ half of the first inning, Jonathan India is hitting .462 (.563obp, .846slg, 6-13, 2bb, 2 2b, 1hr, 6r).
• India’s 16 runs scored are tied for third-most in the Major Leagues.
• India’s 6 runs scored in the first inning are tied for second-most in the Major Leagues (NYY’s Aaron Judge, 7r).
Tonight’s Pitcher – #40 Nick Lodolo, LHP
• Tonight is making his fourth appearance and start of the season…will be his second career appearance vs the Rays.
• On 4/8 at Phi, his career-high 12 strikeouts were the most by a Reds lefthander since Amir Garrett had 12 strikeouts on 4/19/17 vs Bal…was Lodolo’s third career game with at least 10 strikeouts…became only the fourth Reds lefthander to record at least 7.0 scoreless innings with at least 12 strikeouts (Tom Hall on 5/14/72/g2 vs StL, Johnny Vander Meer 5 times, Rube Benton on 6/11/1915 vs Dodgers).
• Started the second game of the season and earned the 6-2 win vs the Pirates.
• In his 2022 Major League debut season received 2 third-place votes in the BBWAA’s Jackie Robinson Award voting for National League Rookie of the Year.
• In 2022 ranked among the National League rookie pitching leaders in ERA (4th, 3.66), wins (T5th, 4), strikeouts (3rd, 131), starts (T3rd, 19), innings pitched (5th, 103.1), opponents’ BA (4th, .235) and WHIP (3rd, 1.25).
• Led all Major League pitchers in hit batters (19), 4 shy of Jake Weimer’s 1907 single-season franchise record.
• Went 1-2, 5.52 in his first 3 career starts, but then from 4/28-7/4 missed 69 days and 61 games while on the injured list with a lower right back strain…was transferred from the 15- to the 60-day injured list on 6/21, when IF Donovan Solano came off the 60-day IL.
• Following 4 rehabilitation starts from 6/13-6/29 at ACL Reds (1gs) and Louisville (3gs), came off the injured list on 7/5 and finished the season 3-5, 3.35 over 16 starts.
• In his last 9 starts of the season beginning 8/17 went 1-3, 2.75 (55.2ip, 35h, 17er, 15bb, 67k, 6hr, .182baa, 0.90whip)…the Reds went 3-6 in those 9 starts.
• Beginning 8/17, finished the season ranked among the National League leaders in that span in starts (T3rd), innings pitched (T5th), ERA (8th), strikeouts (7th), opponents’ BA (4th) and WHIP (5th).
• On 9/9 at Mil (8ip, 0bb, 11k) and 9/14 vs Pit (6.1ip, 0bb, 11k) became only the second rookie since 1893, the year the pitching mound was moved to its current distance, to record in consecutive apps 0 walks and at least 11 strikeouts, joining Dwight Gooden (9/12 & 9/17, 1984, 16k vs Pit, 16k at Phi).
• Is only the third Reds rookie since 1900 to record in consecutive apps at least 11 strikeouts, joining Gary Nolan (6/1 & 6/7, 1967, 12k vs Cubs, 15k vs SF) and Bruce Berenyi (8/24 & 8/29, 1981, 12k vs NYM, 11k at NYM).
• Was selected by the Reds in the first round (7th overall) of the June 2019 first-year player draft…was signed by Paul Scott…was Texas Christian University’s highest-ever baseball draft pick.
