Yarbrough goes 6 strong in relief, Rays beat Marlins 8-0

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Ryan Yarbrough allowed two hits over six innings of splendid relief and the AL East-leading Tampa Bay Rays beat the Miami Marlins 8-0 on Friday night.

The Rays got three RBIs apiece from Randy Arozarena and Kevin Kiermaier, who was a homer short of the cycle.

Tampa Bay, which clinched a postseason spot Wednesday, has a magic number of three to secure its second consecutive AL East title. The number would be reduced to two with a Boston loss to the New York Yankees later Friday.

Yarbrough (9-6) replaced opener David Robertson in the second and had four strikeouts. Dietrich Enns went the final two innings to complete a two-hitter.

Robertson worked a scoreless first in his first career start after 670 relief outings. It was the most appearances out of the bullpen at the time of a pitcher’s first major league start, passing Joakim Soria’s 666, according to STATS.

Tampa Bay rookie shortstop Wander Franco returned after missing two weeks with a right hamstring injury and extended his on-base streak to 40 games with a sixth-inning walk. Only Frank Robinson, with a 43-game run in 1956, has a longer one among players under 21.

Franco doubled in the eighth and went to third on defensive indifference with the Rays ahead 8-0. He spoke with catcher Sandy León, who made his fifth appearance as a reliever, as the pair left the field after the inning.

The Marlins dropped to 3-15 in interleague games. Miami center fielder Bryan De La Cruz was ejected for arguing after a called third strike on a check-swing appeal in the first inning.

After the Rays loaded the bases against Edward Cabrera (0-3) on two walks and a single with two outs in the first, Arozarena made it 3-0 when he doubled on a full-count pitch.

Cabrera gave up three runs, two hits, four walks...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/Yarbrough-goes-6-strong-in-relief-Rays-beat-16486411.php