Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Luke Raley pitching against Blue Jays.
By Reice Shipley on

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

About Reice Shipley

Reice Shipley is a staff writer for Comeback Media that graduated from Ithaca College with a degree in Sports Media. He previously worked at Barrett Sports Media and is a fan of all things Syracuse sports.

View all posts by Reice Shipley