ST. PETERSBURG -- From start to finish, the Rays had dominant pitching in a 1-0 win against the White Sox on Saturday in a battle of American League division leaders at Tropicana Field.
For the fourth time in the past seven games, the Rays produced a shutout. The headliner was right-hander Drew Rasmussen (10-5), who allowed four hits with one walk and 10 strikeouts, including striking out the side in his final inning. He faced only one trouble spot, the fifth, when the White Sox got runners to second and third, their only occasion all game with runners in scoring position. But Rasmussen coaxed leadoff batter Sam Antonacci into an inning-ending lineout to right field.
Three Rays relievers preserved the gem into the ninth inning, where closer Bryan Baker finished the White Sox off, earning his MLB-leading 31st save.
“We know how to pitch when the game's on the line because when you're winning 1-0, I mean every pitch is on the line,’’ Rays manager Kevin Cash said. “One swing can change that. Our guys have really stepped up.’’
In the ninth, Baker had a couple of scary moments. Miguel Vargas took Baker’s first pitch to the left-field warning track. The final batter, Randal Grichuk, flirted with the Trop’s short fence in left before it hooked wide of the foul pole. Then Baker struck out Grichuk -- the White Sox’s 16th strikeout overall -- to convert his 20th consecutive save opportunity with a six-pitch ninth.
When Baker enters the game -- to dimming lights, camera-phone lights everywhere and blaring music -- it’s a show. And it’s punctuated by his boisterous, flexing reaction -- “Viking-esque,’’ center fielder Jonny DeLuca called it – that has become a ninth-inning staple.
“We refer to [Baker] as our psychopath,’’ Rasmussen said with a laugh. “Then, once you get him off the field, he’s just the nicest, most soft-spoken human that’s in this clubhouse. I don’t know what happens when he goes onto the field. But it’s definitely a different personality than what we see in here.’’
“I’d say it’s primarily excitement, but also relief at the same time,’’ Baker said. “It’s always fun to go out there and you know your teammates are relying on you to get them to the finish line and secure the W. Some pretty animated things come out of my mouth and body sometimes. That’s just part of it. But I do love this team and getting wins.’’
The Rays earned the victory with just five hits, all singles, and six total baserunners. In the fifth, against bulk pitcher Noah Schultz, the Rays scored the game’s only run. DeLuca led off with a single to left field, then stole second. One out later, DeLuca moved to third on Ben Williamson’s grounder, then scored on Nick Fortes’ RBI single.
That was all the Rays needed.
Rasmussen set the tone. For the 23rd straight game, dating back to last season, Rasmussen had an outing with two walks or fewer. Ironically, he walked Antonacci to lead off the game, but he was nabbed on a stolen-base attempt. Rasmussen then struck out the next five White Sox batters. Even on a day when he didn’t feel particularly crisp, the results were there.
“He kind of reset himself,’’ Cash said. “That’s just how good of a pitcher and how talented he is. He got the ball more in the zone. He trusted the defense. We feel good about him pitching. We feel good about all of our starters right now. I know it’s probably highlighted by [Rasmussen]. Anytime he needs to make an in-game adjustment, he probably shows the ability to be the best at doing that.’’
Rasmussen was in command, but he said the Rays’ defense had plenty to do with that as well. He praised the work of Fortes behind the plate and also got a great diving catch in center from DeLuca after Munetaka Murakami singled to lead off the fourth. Between Rasmussen and Baker, the bullpen trio of Cam Booser, Kevin Kelly and Garrett Cleavinger kept the White Sox in check.
“There’s nothing but confidence when our catchers [Fortes and Hunter Feduccia] are back there,’’ Rasmussen said. “Our [overall] defense is awesome. It gives you confidence to go after hitters. The shutouts [four in the last seven games], I wouldn’t have known that [until it was mentioned]. We’re changing speeds. We’re keeping guys off-balance. Obviously, our pitchers are executing well.’’
From start to finish.