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TAMPA — Following strong starts to the season, Rays pitchers Shane Baz and Drew Rasmussen have had to answer questions about some ugly numbers in back-to-back losses.
Zack Littell is heading the other way.
After losing his first four starts and posting a 5.48 ERA, Littell goes into Friday’s series opener with Milwaukee on a bit of a roll, with what he felt was an improved outing in a loss to Arizona, and then back-to-back wins against the Padres and Yankees.
“I’ve been just trying to get out there and go pitch,” Littell said. “Stop worrying about the stuff that you’re trying to feel and the early-season stuff — chasing stuff that you want to feel or continuing to clean up some of the mechanical stuff that you work on in spring training."
That’s worked, as he has allowed a 3.50 ERA over that stretch and, most important to him, only two walks in 18 innings after giving up six free passes in his first 23.
“I’ve really tried to make an effort, specifically the last three, just to go out there and pitch — whatever the stuff is that day is the stuff,” he said.
“And that being said, the stuff has gotten better those last three. I think it’s just a matter of continuing to pitch in the season. You kind of hit that groove after three, four, five starts, where everything starts to line up, and you kind of just go.”
Josh Lowe, sidelined since opening day with a right oblique strain, started a multi-game rehab assignment on Thursday with Triple-A Durham, going 0-for-2 with two walks and playing nine innings in rightfield, making an errant throw.
Lowe is slated to be off Friday, then play Saturday and Sunday and be re-evaluated, with the potential to stay with the Bulls into next week.
The Brewers come to town for the weekend with several former Rays players: lefty Tyler Alexander (who was with them in 2024), infielder Jake Bauers (2018) and associate manager Rickie Weeks (2017).
But most interesting might be Tobias Myers, a 26-year-old right-hander from Winter Haven who, after eight years in the minors, established him in 2024 as big-league starter.
Myers was an intriguing pitching prospect in the upper end of the Rays’ minor-league system in 2021 who, rather than be put on the 40-man roster, was traded to Cleveland.
The return?
An 18-year-old infielder with just one year in pro ball at the Dominican Summer League level — Junior Caminero. They should face off for the first time Saturday.
Others with Rays connections include general manager Matt Arnold, head athletic trainer Brad Epstein, equipment manager Jason Shawger and travel director Joe Swanhart.
The Rays announced their 24th sellout in 25 games at Steinbrenner Field, with a capacity of 10,046. ... Thursday’s loss was the Rays’ first ever at home when leading by four or more runs after the seventh inning, but they did so on the road as recently at July 27, 2019, at Toronto. It also was their first loss when leading entering the ninth in more than a year, having won 73 straight. ... Their seven-game home losing streak is their longest since losing eight in 2002. ... Starter Ryan Pepiot struck out three, the 11th straight game Rays starters have logged three or fewer Ks. ... Manager Kevin Cash planned to talk soon with friend and former hitting coach Derek Shelton, who was fired Thursday as manager of the Pirates: “I’m certainly disappointed for Shelty. He’s a friend of mine. It’s a tough gig. Just support him and his family.” ... Prior to Friday’s game, reliever Pete Fairbanks will lead a group of Rays donating sneakers and other gifts to and meeting with students in the Starting Right, Now program, which seeks to empower unaccompanied homeless youth to become self-sufficient citizens.
• • •
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Zack Littell is heading the other way.
After losing his first four starts and posting a 5.48 ERA, Littell goes into Friday’s series opener with Milwaukee on a bit of a roll, with what he felt was an improved outing in a loss to Arizona, and then back-to-back wins against the Padres and Yankees.
“I’ve been just trying to get out there and go pitch,” Littell said. “Stop worrying about the stuff that you’re trying to feel and the early-season stuff — chasing stuff that you want to feel or continuing to clean up some of the mechanical stuff that you work on in spring training."
That’s worked, as he has allowed a 3.50 ERA over that stretch and, most important to him, only two walks in 18 innings after giving up six free passes in his first 23.
“I’ve really tried to make an effort, specifically the last three, just to go out there and pitch — whatever the stuff is that day is the stuff,” he said.
“And that being said, the stuff has gotten better those last three. I think it’s just a matter of continuing to pitch in the season. You kind of hit that groove after three, four, five starts, where everything starts to line up, and you kind of just go.”
The Lowe down
Josh Lowe, sidelined since opening day with a right oblique strain, started a multi-game rehab assignment on Thursday with Triple-A Durham, going 0-for-2 with two walks and playing nine innings in rightfield, making an errant throw.
Lowe is slated to be off Friday, then play Saturday and Sunday and be re-evaluated, with the potential to stay with the Bulls into next week.
The Brew crew
The Brewers come to town for the weekend with several former Rays players: lefty Tyler Alexander (who was with them in 2024), infielder Jake Bauers (2018) and associate manager Rickie Weeks (2017).
But most interesting might be Tobias Myers, a 26-year-old right-hander from Winter Haven who, after eight years in the minors, established him in 2024 as big-league starter.
Myers was an intriguing pitching prospect in the upper end of the Rays’ minor-league system in 2021 who, rather than be put on the 40-man roster, was traded to Cleveland.
The return?
An 18-year-old infielder with just one year in pro ball at the Dominican Summer League level — Junior Caminero. They should face off for the first time Saturday.
Others with Rays connections include general manager Matt Arnold, head athletic trainer Brad Epstein, equipment manager Jason Shawger and travel director Joe Swanhart.
Miscellany
The Rays announced their 24th sellout in 25 games at Steinbrenner Field, with a capacity of 10,046. ... Thursday’s loss was the Rays’ first ever at home when leading by four or more runs after the seventh inning, but they did so on the road as recently at July 27, 2019, at Toronto. It also was their first loss when leading entering the ninth in more than a year, having won 73 straight. ... Their seven-game home losing streak is their longest since losing eight in 2002. ... Starter Ryan Pepiot struck out three, the 11th straight game Rays starters have logged three or fewer Ks. ... Manager Kevin Cash planned to talk soon with friend and former hitting coach Derek Shelton, who was fired Thursday as manager of the Pirates: “I’m certainly disappointed for Shelty. He’s a friend of mine. It’s a tough gig. Just support him and his family.” ... Prior to Friday’s game, reliever Pete Fairbanks will lead a group of Rays donating sneakers and other gifts to and meeting with students in the Starting Right, Now program, which seeks to empower unaccompanied homeless youth to become self-sufficient citizens.
• • •
Sign up for our Sports Today newsletter to get daily updates on the Bucs, Rays, Lightning and college football across Florida.
Every weekday, tune into our Sports Day Tampa Bay podcast to hear reporter Rick Stroud break down the biggest stories in Tampa Bay sports.
Never miss out on the latest with your favorite Tampa Bay sports teams. Follow our coverage on X and Facebook.
Continue reading...
