If you watched a good sample of the Rays 18 wins over the Orioles last year you might have been surprised by this game. In contrast some of last year’s slugfests, this was a pitchers’ duel — multiple pitchers — with the Rays getting two old school runs by stringing together hits and sac flies.
Shane McClanahan was nasty but a bit inefficient, and he seemed to have some first inning jitters. His first pitch drilled Cedric Mullins in the shoulder at 97 mph. His third pitch was a hanging curve for a Mountcastle single. After a force out for out one, he walked Austin Hays.