The home run ball banged around the empty seats in section 147 at Tropicana Field, freshly struck by a left-handed-hitting rookie who had not reached base in his first 15 major-league at-bats against lefty pitchers.
Forgive him if he kept his gaze trained a few extra seconds on the smattering of ball-hocking fans in that left-center field spot on Tuesday night. After all, it was Ryan O’Hearn’s fifth homer in 14 games since making his debut on July 31. It was his first career hit against a lefty. And it was only the second homer All-Star Rays starter Blake Snell, the left-handed pitcher in question, had allowed to a lefty hitter in 67 career starts.