The Tampa Bay Rays set a franchise record for most strikeouts in a nine-inning game on Monday with 19 according to ESPN. Tyler Glasnow of Newhall, California led all Rays pitchers with nine strikeouts as Tampa Bay defeated the Atlanta Braves 14-5.
Glasnow could be considered one of the most underrated starting pitchers in Major League Baseball at the moment. He was spectacular a season ago as he had a sparkling earned run average of 1.78 in 12 starts. Other Rays pitchers to post strikeouts on Monday were relievers Jaylen Beeks of Fayetteville, Arkansas (seven strikeouts), Diego Castillo of Cabrera, Dominican Republic (two strikeouts) and Jose Alvarado of Maracaibo, Venezuela (one strikeout).
Beeks registered seven strikeouts in only three innings of work, and picked up the hold. Castillo meanwhile picked up the win, as he was the first pitcher to relieve Glasnow, who threw the first four innings for the Rays.
The Rays also had great success offensively on Monday. As a team, they had eight extra base hits. Hunter Renfroe of Crystal Springs, Mississippi had two home runs, Brandon Lowe of Newport News, Virginia had one double and one triple, Willy Adames of Santiago Province, Dominican Republic had a double. Tampa Bay also got solo home runs from Jose Martinez of La Guaira, Venezuela, Mike Zunino of Cape Coral, Florida, and Joey Wendle of Wilmington, Delaware.
In 2020, it seems like more and more that Tampa Bay could not only be a serious contender for a playoff spot in the American League, but could contend for first place in the American League East as well. Their top rival at the moment appears to be the New York Yankees. Tampa Bay is currently in first place in the division with a record of three wins and one loss.
In other Major League Baseball news, it appears the season will continue at this time. There were concerns of the season being cancelled on Monday when it was announced that the Miami Marlins had 14 positive tests. However, MLB Commissioner Robert Manfred has said that we are not in the “nightmare category” at the moment.
