Five pitchers combining to shut out the Astros on Sunday was the exclamation point to a current stretch in which the Rays have held the opposition to three or fewer runs in eight of the last nine games.
In 15 games since the all-star break, the Rays’ staff has compiled MLB’s best ERA at 2.65. The pitching has had to be good as the Rays have scored more than four runs only five times in those 15 games.
Sunday’s 1-0 win at Houston enabled the Rays (57-54) to take two of three at Minute Maid Park while limiting the Astros to four runs. They have also nudged ahead of Houston in the standings and head into Tuesday night’s three-game series opener at St. Louis 4.5 games back of the third and final wild-card spot.
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Much credit is due right-handed relievers Manuel Rodriguez and Edwin Uceta, who have emerged in a revamped bullpen that saw Phil Maton, Jason Adam and Shaun Armstrong traded in July.
The 28-year-old Rodriguez, who spent parts of two seasons (2021-22) with the Cubs and was acquired in a minor-league deal last August, has not allowed a run in 16 of his last 17 appearances. Uceta spent parts of the last three seasons with as many different teams before signing with the Rays in December. The 26-year-old has logged has an ERA of 1.19 in 13 appearances and 22 2/3 innings.
Rodriguez and Uceta have been huge in setting the stage for closer Pete Fairbanks, who arguably throwing as well as he ever has in converting 11 straight save appearances and 21 of 23 on the season.
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“(Bench coach) Rodney (Linares) looked at me and said that it is as nasty as I have seen Pete all season long,” manager Kevin Cash said following Sunday’s game when Fairbanks retired the side in order with two strikeouts.
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