Randy Arozarena gave the Rays a quick lead. Blake Snell dominated through five innings. However, Tamps simply could not capitalize on further opportunities while the Dodgers were able to get to Tampa’s bullpen.
The Dodgers must have been thrilled when Kevin Cash came out with the hook in the sixth inning, removing Blake Snell from the game. The Tampa Bay ace had been dealing to that point. The Dodgers promptly jumped all over the relief.
It doesn’t rise to the level of the Grady Little game, but Kevin Cash’s decision to remove his left-handed ace in the sixth inning of an elimination game is going to go down as one of the more regrettable managerial decisions of the last 20 years.