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Rays: Remarkable run of starting pitching

 
Published April 15, 2015

Making their pitch

• The three straight games (by Chris Archer on Saturday, Nathan Karns Sunday and Jake Odorizzi Monday) for the Rays starters with seven or more innings and two hits or fewer is just the second such streak in AL history, per Elias. It was done previously by the 1992 Athletics, with Mike Moore, Ron Darling and Kelly Downs starting.

• RHP Jake Odorizzi is just the third AL pitcher in the last 100 years to begin season with two starts of six-plus innings allowing two or fewer hits and one or fewer runs. He joins Alexi Ogando of the 2011 Rangers and RHP Runelvys Hernandez of the 2003 Royals.

Rays at Blue Jays

When/where: 7:07 tonight; Rogers Centre, Toronto

TV/radio: Sun Sports; 620-AM

Probable pitchers

Rays: RHP Erasmo Ramirez (0-0, 31.50)

BLUE JAYS: LH Mark Buehrle (1-0, 3.00)

On Ramirez: Acquired from Seattle toward end of spring, had rough debut in relief Friday, allowing 7 runs. Is 7-12, 4.72 in 35 career starts. Has 1-0, 3.72 mark in 3 games (1 start) vs. Jays.

On Buerhle: Fast-working veteran threw perfect game against Rays in 2009, overall is 10-5, 4.05 in 28 games (23 starts) against them. Threw six solid innings vs. Orioles in first start.

Key matchups

Rays VS. BUEHRLE

Asdrubal Cabrera 9-for-44

Desmond Jennings 9-for-22

Evan Longoria 13-for-45, HR

Jays VS. RAMIREZ

Josh Donaldson 2-for-12, HR

E. Encarnacion 1-for-4, HR

Jose Reyes 0-for-2

On deck

Thursday: at Blue Jays, 7:07. Rays — RH Chris Archer (1-1, 2.13), Blue Jays — RH Aaron Sanchez (0-1, 8.10)

Friday: vs. Yankees, 7:10. Rays — RH Nathan Karns (1-1, 4.97); Yankees — RH Adam Warren (0-1, 1.69)

Saturday: vs. Yankees, 7:10. Rays — RH Jake Odorizzi (2-0, 0.61); Yankees — RH Masahiro Tanaka (1-1, 7.00)