Rays Spoil MLB Debut of Reds Pitcher Levi Stoudt With 6-Run First, Win 8-0

CINCINNATI — Major-league debuts are special moments. It's what millions of kids dream about all the time, making it to the show. And when you actually get there, it's a dream come true.

There are dreams, but there are nightmares, too.

That's what happened to Cincinnati Reds pitcher Levi Stoudt on Wednesday afternoon. The 25-year-old from Pottstown, Pa. threw his first pitch in the major-leagues under sun-splashes skies at Great American Ballpark. 

His third pitch, however, got deposited into the left-field seats by Tampa Bay leadoff hitter Yandy Diaz. And before the inning was over, the Rays sent 10 men to the plate and scored six runs off of Stoudt. They cruised to an easy 8-0 win from there to go to 16-3 on the season.

"We seemed to be really ready to go,'' Tampa Bay manager Kevin Cash said. "We hit the ball, even not knowing the guy. Obviously he's a talented young pitcher, but Yandy started it off and a bunch of guys followed with some hard hits.''

The Rays had seven hits in the inning, with Diaz's homer, doubles by Isaac Paredes and Manuel Margot, and singles by Brandon Lowe, Randy Arozarena, Josh Lowe and Chrstian Bethancourt. The Rays had 12 hits on the day, with Arozarena getting three and Diaz and Brandon Lowe having two each.

It was their second straight blowout win after beating the Reds 10-0 on 17 hits on Tuesday night. It's the 14th time this season that they've won a game by four runs or more and the sixth time they've won by seven or more.

This was the fifth time the Rays have batted around this season, so it's clear that hitting has become contagious with this group.

"They've really taken to the mindset and approach, and they've unified together a little bit,'' Cash said. "They're talking in between at bats about different things and they're falling on back on making sure they make good decisions at the plate.

"I know once you get going, you don't want to be the guy in the lineup who makes the outs. I'm just really impressed with the way. the guys have swung the bat, especially these last two days. ''

With Diaz's home run, the Rays have homered in all 19 games this season. That's one off the record to start at a season — Seattle homered in 20 games in 2019 — and it broke a Tampa Bay record for a homer streak at any time in the season.

They have 42 homers on the now, which leads the majors. (The Los Angeles Dodgers are second, with only 32.). Diaz leads the team with six homers, and their 42 homers are the second-most all-time through 19 games, with only the 2000 St, Louis Cardinals (44) hitting more. 

With the blowout win, the Rays have now outscored opponents 133-50, and their plus-83 run differential leads the majors, and it's not even close. The Texas Rangers are second at plus-34 through Wednesday afternoon.

Drew Rasmussen had another spectacular outing, throwing five scoreless innings and allowing just three hits to pick up his third win. He had seven strikeouts and threw 78 pitches, leaving with an 8-0 lead. It's his third start of four this season where he hasn't allowed a run and three or fewer hits with seven or more strikeouts.

"I think the results were good. I created weak contact and we're trending back in a good direction right now,'' Rasmussen said. "And the offense, it's electric. six runs in the first. I'm never going to complain about all of that. It was awesome to see. They're clicking, and it's a terrifying lineup. It's great to see when they're clicking like this.'' 

Josh Fleming followed and pitched three scoreless innings, allowing just one hit. Rays closer Pete Fairbanks, who hadn't worked in a week, pitched the ninth inning. He loaded the bases but struck out Luke Maile to end the game. He's thrown 27 scoreless innings in a row dating back to last July, tops in the majors.

It was the sixth shutout of the season for the Rays through 19 games, and they are one of just four teams all-time to post six shutouts in the first 19 outings.

The Rays are off on Thursday and open a three-game series with the Chicago White Sox on Friday night at Tropicana Field. 

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