Milwaukee Showdown: Fortes' Unlikely Heroics Propel Rays to Victory
In the world of baseball, sometimes the quirkiest training methods pay off. Just ask Nick Fortes of the Tampa Bay Rays.
Growing up in DeLand, Fortes' father, Alfredo, would throw him batting practice in their backyard. The pitches?
Consistently high, forcing young Nick to adapt by swinging at pitches above the strike zone.
Fast forward to Monday's game against the Brewers, and that unconventional practice paid dividends. Fortes connected with a 96.4-mph fastball from Trevor Megill, sending it soaring to right-center for the decisive run in a tight 3-2 victory.
"It's a pitch that I see, and I just go for it," Fortes explained. His knack for handling high pitches traces back to those backyard sessions with his dad.
"I would call it my honey hole," Fortes added, crediting his father for his unique skill set.
Brewers manager Pat Murphy acknowledged Fortes' talent, noting their awareness of his ability to ambush high fastballs. Rays starter Nick Martinez was equally impressed, recognizing the difficulty of Fortes' at-bat against a top-tier pitcher like Megill.
The Rays, who have been leading the majors in hitting, expect more close games like Monday's. Fortes emphasized the team's resilience, highlighting their ability to grind out at-bats and rely on a strong pitching staff. "We kind of expected to play a lot of close games," he said, pointing to the team's roster construction.
Rays manager Kevin Cash is also thrilled with shortstop Carson Williams' performance. Initially sent down but recalled due to an injury to Taylor Walls, Williams has excelled both defensively and offensively. "Carson has done a tremendous job," Cash remarked, praising his confidence and talent.
In other team news, second baseman Gavin Lux is set to begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Durham following a right shoulder impingement. Meanwhile, outfielder Chandler Simpson has impressively hit in each of the first five games, the only Ray to achieve that feat.
As the Rays prepare for their upcoming series in Minnesota, they face some challenging weather conditions. The forecast predicts rain and cold temperatures, with highs barely reaching the mid-40s.
This early in the season, the Rays are already demonstrating their depth and tenacity. With players like Fortes stepping up in crucial moments, the team looks poised for a promising run.