The Tampa Bay Rays have shocked everyone thus far this season, jumping out to the best record in baseball almost from the start of the year. However, Tuesday’s game against the Toronto Blue Jays was a different story, which led to numerous position players taking the mound when the game got ugly.
It’s always an experience when players that aren’t used to pitching are asked to take the mound. Unfortunately for Rays players Luke Raley and Christian Bethancourt, it was more like a nightmare.
Raley was asked to come into the game in the top of the eighth inning when the team was trailing 10-1. He actually didn’t start off too bad, getting out of the inning with only one run allowed.
However, things took a horrible turn when he stayed in the game in the top of the ninth inning. He got the first two hitters in the inning out but then proceeded to let the next seven batters on base, including a grand slam by Blue Jays star Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Luke Raley did not have a fun time on the mound… 😬😬pic.twitter.com/cIPx8zrtmA
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) May 24, 2023
He was finally pulled from the game after allowing another home run to Matt Chapman. Raley finished with eight hits allowed while allowing seven earned runs.
The Blue Jays are absolutely beating up on the Rays position players pitching 😳 pic.twitter.com/BsGdaGvkUi
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 24, 2023
Bethancourt then was asked to close out this game, which also didn’t exactly go to plan. He allowed three straight hits including a home run from Blue Jays catcher Danny Jansen.
Christian Bethancourt didn’t fare much better. A total of ten runs were scored by the Blue Jays against these two Rays position players. pic.twitter.com/O36hjE29Nu
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) May 24, 2023
The inning was mercifully ended after Bethancourt got the next hitter out, but the MLB world certainly felt for these two in their rough pitching appearance.
Blue Jays 9th inning:
❌ First two hitters make outs
🤯 Produce 9 runs anywayPosition players Luke Raley and Christian Bethancourt combine for 2 innings pitched for the Rays.pic.twitter.com/9JGWAqUPB0
— Ahaan Rungta (@AhaanRungta) May 24, 2023
If you eliminate the 5th and 9th inning…the Rays only lost 5-1 tonight!
Thanks to Luke Raley & Christian Bethancourt eating the final 2 frames, Tampa Bay's run differential goes from +126 to +107.
They now trail the Texas Rangers at +111.
Next best team is at +61 (for now).
— Evan Closky (@ECloskyWTSP) May 24, 2023
Luke Raley, Overpowering 50mph Pitch. 🔥
Perfected the Chuck and Duck technique. pic.twitter.com/ElhWSTdguV
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) May 24, 2023
Luke Raley with the heater on Vlad 😂🥵 pic.twitter.com/qwF281GCqk
— SportsBetting.ag (@SportsBettingAG) May 24, 2023
Vladdy with a grand slam off position player Luke Raley lol pic.twitter.com/JP45pPbGOg
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) May 24, 2023
Games like this are bound to happen for any team in such a long season. The Rays will have their chance to get their revenge against the Blue Jays on Wednesday night.
[The Comeback on Twitter] Photo Credit: Sportsnet