Phoenix, AZ — Brandon Pfaadt continued his stellar run on the mound Tuesday night, earning his fourth consecutive win as the Arizona Diamondbacks cruised past the Tampa Bay Rays 5-1 to open a three-game series.
Pavin Smith provided early offensive firepower with a two-run blast off Rays starter Zack Littell in the third inning. Tim Tawa added to the lead with a solo home run in the fifth, while Josh Naylor chipped in an RBI single in the eighth. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. capped the scoring with a sacrifice fly later that inning.
Pfaadt (4-1) was dominant through six innings, surrendering just four hits and one run while striking out five and walking none. It marks the first time in his three-year career that he’s put together four straight wins.
The Rays, now 0-4 on the road this season, began their first extended trip after spending the bulk of April at their temporary home, Steinbrenner Field. They’ve now dropped six of their last seven games overall.
Tampa Bay scratched across its only run in the second inning with an RBI single from Jake Mangum, but Pfaadt quickly settled in. He escaped a jam in the fifth by stranding a runner at third and erased another potential threat with a double play in the fourth.
Littell (0-5), who entered tied for the MLB lead in losses, once again pitched well but lacked run support. He gave up three runs on six hits across six innings. The Rays have backed him with just three total runs over his first four starts — an MLB-worst 1.17 runs per outing.
Smith’s home run was his fourth of the season, and he added a double as part of a 2-for-3 night that lifted his batting average to .397. Tawa’s solo shot was his third of the year.
Key Play:
Mangum opened the fifth with a double, but was cut down in a rundown after a ground ball to first, halting Tampa Bay’s momentum.
Stat to Know:
Smith’s multi-hit game raised his season batting average to an impressive .397.
On Deck:
The series continues Wednesday with Rays right-hander Taj Bradley (2-1, 5.24 ERA) set to face off against Diamondbacks lefty Eduardo Rodriguez (1-2, 4.09 ERA).
