The Rays needed a clean answer in the bullpen, and Kevin Kelly gave them one Tuesday night.
In Tampa Bay’s 2-1 walk-off win over the Athletics, Kelly came out and struck out the side in a scoreless inning, a sharp response after his rough outing against the Atlanta Braves. For a team still sorting through its October relief picture, it was the kind of outing that stands out.
Kelly had given up three earned runs against Atlanta, then got several days to reset and missed the entire Houston series. When he returned, the stuff looked different. His two-seam fastball was working, his changeup was effective, and Tampa Bay got exactly what it needed from him in a game where the offense didn’t have much room for error.
That matters because the Rays are running out of time to settle the bullpen. Tyler Wells, Manny Rodriguez, and Garrett Cleavinger were all unavailable Tuesday for different reasons, and the biggest question is Wells, who was placed on the 15-day injured list because of tightness in his right forearm before the Athletics series began. His availability for the start of the postseason is still uncertain.
Tampa Bay has also been giving looks to Ty Johnson and Brody Hopkins as it tries to map out the October staff. Hopkins hit 101.5 mph in his Major League debut Sunday, but he also walked his first batter on four pitches and gave up a two-run home run. Johnson got another shot Tuesday and allowed the Athletics’ only run on a wild pitch.
Neither has locked down a postseason spot, and with 12 games left, the Rays still have a lot to sort through.
That’s why Kelly’s night carried weight. Tampa Bay needs arms Kevin Cash can trust when games tighten up late, and Kelly helped make that case. Bryan Baker then handled the next part, keeping the Athletics scoreless long enough for Junior Caminero to finish it in the ninth.
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