BALTIMORE — The Rays have had their way with the Orioles this season, as Friday’s 6-3 win was the 16th time they’ve beaten them in 17 games.
But Baltimore’s batters battled pretty well against Rays starter Shane McClanahan, whom they were facing for the fourth time in 39 days. The rookie lefty’s ability to navigate through six innings while allowing eight hits was arguably the biggest takeaway of the night, which also featured dazzling defense — led by shortstop Wander Franco and centerfielder Kevin Kiermaier — and catcher Mike Zunino’s 27th homer of the season.
“I’m always going to lean toward the pitching,’’ manager Kevin Cash said. “McClanahan getting through six when the Orioles really, really put it to him, with a bunch of base hits, (and) there were some hard-hit balls in there (10 at 95 mph and up).
“They did him no favors by expanding with the zone. So I thought Shane recognized that, I’ve got to throw strikes and let the defense work behind me. I think that’s big for him and us.’’
Zunino had a similar view from behind the plate, and a similar take on the 24-year-old USF product, who might be the Rays’ playoff series opener if they get there.
“They put together really good at-bats, from top to bottom, especially against us,’’ Zunino said. “It’s one of those where they come with a game plan, they stuck to it, they drove the pitch count up some in those midinnings and really made Shane work.
“But I thought he did a good job. He mixed all four pitches, battled a little adversity in there in the (fourth), and I thought he responded really well. That’s what you want, to get tested this late in the season to see what it’s about. And he responded really, really well.’’
The 16 wins against the Orioles are a franchise record against a single team in a season. Of more importance, Tampa Bay won its fifth in a row overall, improving its American League-best record to 80-48 and ensuring it will maintain at least a four-game East Division lead over the Yankees, who played late at Oakland.
McClanahan makes a point after every start to compliment the defense behind him. On Friday, it was worthy praise, as he pointed to his T-shirt that read GOOD. “Really good,’’ he said. “They were awesome. I felt like every single inning I was having to turn around and tip my cap at somebody.’’
Franco, the 20-year-old rookie made several highlight plays, most athletically leaping to spear a line drive in the fourth, then an inning later sliding to his knees while going to his left to spear a grounder and making a quick spin and throw to first for the out.
Kiermaier did a Kiermaier thing at the familiar Camden Yards wall later in the fifth, with the Rays leading 3-2, racing back to the right of centerfield and leaping to rob what would have been a two-run go-ahead homer by Ryan Mountcastle.
“We’ve seen him do that in this ballpark before, kind of similar,’’ Cash said. “Our defense the last couple nights, really came through for us in a big way.’’
The Rays got three runs in the first on a two-out walk by Franco and four singles off Matt Harvey, then nothing else through six as he retired 16 straight. They got three more in the seventh off reliever Tanner Scott, as Manuel Margot was hit by a pitch, Kiermaier walked and Zunino blasted an 0-1 slider over the centerfield fence, his sixth homer in his past nine games.
Chris Mazza worked the final three innings for his first career save (and then another return trip to Triple-A Durham), and the Rays tied the major-league record they already shared with the 1973 Rangers as 12 pitchers now have saves.
All things considered, McClanahan — 5-0, 2.76 in August (three of those wins against the O’s) and 9-4, 3.59 overall — was pleased:
“Anytime you can go six innings, give up two runs and keep your team in the game is a pretty good night, I would say, in the big leagues.’’
• • •
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Shane McClanahan pitches Rays past Orioles again - Tampa Bay Times
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