The Tampa Bay Rays finally got the spark they needed Friday night. Now the question is whether or not they can maintain it.
Prized shortstop Carson Williams, the Rays’ No. 1 overall prospect, will look to provide more of that energy as they try to clinch the three-game series Sunday against the visiting St. Louis Cardinals.
The teams had an off day Saturday during a series that started Thursday in deference to the Tampa Buccaneers’ NFL preseason game in the area on Saturday evening.
Williams’ major league debut in Friday’s 10-6 win was special. He went 2-for-4, scored twice and drove in three runs. His biggest blow was a two-run homer to center field in his fourth at-bat, turning a one-run lead into a cushy three-run margin in the seventh inning.
His trademark defensive skills were reliable and flawless.
“It was a dream come true for both of us,” said the Rays’ Junior Caminero, Williams’ teammate in the minors who added a 426-foot homer to center that was 16 feet farther than the shortstop’s. “We were two kids that dreamed of (playing together in the majors), and everything came to a realization today.”
Williams became the ninth rookie in club history to go deep in his debut.
The Rays’ offense needed the boost with the continued absence of first baseman Jonathan Aranda (fractured left wrist).
In a breakout season, the 27-year-old Aranda suffered the injury while applying a tag against the New York Yankees on July 31. Manager Kevin Cash said Aranda is not likely to be back until September.
Explosive hitter Yandy Diaz (hamstring) missed Friday’s game after getting injured in Thursday’s series opener while legging out an infield hit.
Making his first appearance against St. Louis, Rays right-hander Ryan Pepiot (8-10, 3.95 ERA) is 2-1 in three August starts but has a 5.09 ERA in that span.
Nathan Church has been the Cardinals’ breakout story this week.
Church is hitting just .111 (2-for-18, homer, five runs, four RBIs, stolen base) in his young major league career, but he has still managed to make an impression on the St. Louis staff and, in his opinion, on the current American League East opposition.
Known for a strong left arm, the center fielder threw out Rays catcher Nick Fortes at third base for the final out to end the sixth inning Thursday. Not only did it end the frame, it happened so quickly that the home side’s Everson Pereira failed to reach home plate before the putout, negating a run.
“(The Rays) probably had no idea about my throwing arm, but they know now not to run,” said Church, a 2022 11th-round selection from UC Irvine. “It was a good play and a huge play because the run didn’t score, and it was a momentum stopper.”
Manager Oliver Marmol likes the 25-year-old’s game.
“I just like the way that he plays,” Marmol said. “The hits will come for him, but he does a lot of other things well for us. He has that strong arm, he runs balls down and plays great defense for us. He works hard at it, and it shows.”
Tampa Bay’s first-round pick in 2018, Matthew Liberatore (6-10, 4.13) has taken the loss in four of his past six starts and is winless since June 29.
The lefty won his only start against his former club with eight scoreless innings and two hits allowed on Aug. 10, 2023.
–Field Level Media
