Blake Snell left Tampa Bay after the 2020 season with a sour taste. The big left-hander never digested the fact of having been withdrawn from Game 6 of the World Series against the Dodgers, when he was in full control.
True to form, team manager Kevin Cash gave the ball to his relief mid-game. A strategy that had borne fruit throughout the season and which still characterizes him today. We know the rest, as the Dodgers won that Game 6 and the series.
Disappointed and humiliated, Snell headed to San Diego this offseason, where he is 18-22 since arriving in California.
Yesterday, the left-hander had the opportunity to face his former teammates and former manager for the first time since that famous sixth game of 2020. Snell emerged as the big winner in his duel against Zach Eflin as the Padres prevailed by the score of 2-0.
The 30-year-old southpaw was sublime in giving only crumbs to the Rays hitters while also scoring 12 strikeouts. In six innings of work, Snell gave up no runs limiting his opponents to two hits. Josh Hader preserved a 17th win this season by striking out two batters in the ninth.
On Friday, the Padres got a taste of medicine from Rays starter Shane McClanahan as Kevin Cash’s squad upset San Diego 6-2.
Snell’s victory was only his third in 2023, as he lost six decisions in return.
For his part, Zach Eflin does not have to be ashamed of his performance because he also offered a good show. The Padres scored their two runs in the fifth inning as they had three consecutive bunts, including Ha-Seong Kim and Trent Grisham putting two runners on base. To everyone’s surprise, Fernando Tatis Jr. also managed the cushioning allowing his two teammates to progress on the trails. Juan Soto and Manny Machado then produced the points for the locals against Eflin.
Spectators at Petco Park will mainly remember the solid performance of starter Blake Snell, who thumbed his nose at his former manager by handcuffing the Rays’ batters for a good part of the game.
- Big loss for the Dodgers.
- Everything falls into place in Cincinnati.
- Bryce Harper supports the A’s fans.
