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Marc Topkin’s takeaways from Rays-Astros

 
Matt Duffy scores as  Astros catcher Max Stassi waits in vain for a throw from the outfield. [Associated Press]
Matt Duffy scores as Astros catcher Max Stassi waits in vain for a throw from the outfield. [Associated Press]
Published June 20, 2018

This is how odd LHP Blake Snell's night was — he became the first pitcher to work seven or more innings and walk at least seven since Edwin Jackson threw his 149-pitch, eight-walk no-hitter at the Rays on June 25, 2010.

If you weren't aware of the bizarro pitching world the Rays live in you would have quite perplexed to see RHP Ryne Stanek, who started, wait, opened, Monday's game, come in to work the eighth Tuesday. But that's how they roll.

There has not been enough appreciation yet for 3B Matt Duffy, who came into play Tuesday ninth in the AL in hitting overall (.314) and second vs. righties (.357), and delivered a double in the eighth that led to the go-ahead run.