Two scoreless innings and one flat tire: The start of Cook's MLB career

ST. PETERSBURG -- Rays right-hander Alex Cook had an eventful Friday night -- even after making his Major League debut by pitching two scoreless innings in a 6-1 defeat against the White Sox at Tropicana Field.

Outfielder Chandler Simpson drove Cook back to his hotel … and then … blowout! So, about midnight, Cook was changing a tire alongside the road.

“We hit a pothole and it popped his tire,’’ Cook said. “We got out and got it changed. I know how to [change a tire]. I helped him [learn]. He wanted to do something, so he’d know it for the future.’’

Cook also proved he’s a good man to have around during the game. After being called up for the roster spot of left-hander Shane McClanahan, who’s on the 15-day injured list with lower-back tightness, Cook allowed one hit and walked two during the seventh and eighth innings. He had been 1-2 with a 3.78 ERA in 29 outings (five starts) with Triple-A Durham.

Cook already had an encased baseball -- the first MLB pitch he threw -- at his locker ahead of Saturday's game, and will always have fond memories of being with his family from Atlanta on the field after the game Friday.

“Everyone had the biggest smiles on their faces,’’ Cook said. “I’m just glad they got to see me achieve my dreams. It’s baseball at the end of the day. But when you’re at the highest level, it’s special.’’

Jax’s Trade Deadline memories

Right-hander Griffin Jax (6-8, 3.74 ERA), the scheduled starter in Sunday afternoon’s series finale against the White Sox, knows the anxious Trade Deadline feelings other players might be experiencing this weekend. On July 31, 2025, Jax was traded from the Twins to the Rays for right-hander Taj Bradley.

“You leave a team [in the Twins] that you made relationships with for six years, the team that drafted you, it’s always hard,’’ Jax said. “It’s never, never easy and never fun in the middle of a season, moving a family, packing up a house. There are so many logistical things behind the scenes that people don’t realize. But now, being a year removed from it, I couldn’t be happier where we landed.

“Mentally, where I am now compared to last year, it’s night and day. I was at the hotel in Cleveland, envisioning life in seven different cities and not once did I feel I was going to be wearing a Tampa Bay Rays jersey. And I never thought I’d be a starter now [after being a closer]. It’s funny how this world works and this game works.’’

Jax’s advice for other players who are anxious about their Trade Deadline futures?

“I got off social media for a month last year, but I’d still find myself looking at the TV at the wrong moment, walking through the clubhouse and seeing my name on the ticker,’’ Jax said. “So if you’ve got a family, hold them a little closer. If you believe in God, pray a little harder. Call your parents. Anything to keep your mind off things would help.

“It has been great being with the [Rays]. Any time you’re in first place and leading the American League, the guys in this room are worried about the next game, and the next at-bat and the next pitch more than worried about who we’re going to get [in a trade] over the next couple of days.’’

Headed West

Following Sunday’s game against the White Sox, the Rays will go on a three-city, nine-game road trip (Rockies, Mariners, Athletics), tying for their longest road swing of the season. The Rays, the only MLB team with 40-plus wins at home, are 24-28 on the road.