CHICAGO -- Steven Matz's family always roots for whatever team he is on. But watching this Rays team -- and their small-ball-heavy offense, specifically -- has had a different kind of impact.
“My family has been really excited about watching this team every day,” the left-hander said on Wednesday. “They’re like, ‘This is just such a fun team to watch.’ My parents, they get kind of [clung] onto every team I’ve been on, and they’re really enjoying this one the most so far.”
But they showcased just how well-rounded they are on Thursday afternoon. They manufactured their first two runs, then used a long ball from their slugger, Junior Caminero, in the ninth to tie the game and spark their sixth straight win, beating the White Sox, 5-3, at Rate Field to sweep the series.
The Rays had 16 baserunners in Thursday’s win, consistently putting pressure on the White Sox pitching staff. That was most evident in the ninth inning. Two batters after Caminero’s home run, Yandy Díaz jumpstarted their offense with a single. Then the Rays became patient -- very, very patient. Jonathan Aranda walked, and Richie Palacios was hit by a pitch to load the bases.
Two batters later, Hunter Feduccia and Taylor Walls drew consecutive bases-loaded walks to give the Rays their cushion.
“That’s baseball right there,” Ryan Vilade said before the game. “Get 'em over, get 'em in. Jonny DeLuca with the big pump last night. But he can also drop one down. So, it’s like, 'How do you defend it?' It’s tough. It’s been fun.”
Caminero had a bit of a slow start offensively this season. He’s been drawing walks and getting on base (.354 OBP), but the home runs have been lagging after he hit 45 last season. Thursday’s clutch blast was the second the 22-year-old hit in as many games.
It helped the Rays win their fourth straight game with Matz starting. The left-hander went 5 1/3 innings, and allowed just a pair of runs. He leads the team in innings pitched, an early-season surprise.
The Rays, understandably, had some questions about how he would fare this season in his transition from reliever to starter.
Four starts in, and the 34-year-old continues to quell those concerns.
“I think when we signed him, a lot of our offseason conversations certainly revolved around managing the workload of a guy who had been a reliever recently,” manager Kevin Cash said before Thursday’s win. “I know he’s started in previous years, but I mean, he has just shown to us that he’s fully capable of going out there and taking on a starter workload.”