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  • Nails down ninth save
    Bednar picked up the save over the Cubs on Thursday, pitching a perfect ninth inning while striking out one.

    Advice: Bednar entered the game with a one-run lead in the bottom of the ninth and needed only eight pitches to retire the side and secure his ninth save of the season. The right-handed reliever has now converted each of his last eight save attempts and now carries a 2.57 ERA in May to go along with a 6:2 K:BB. Bednar has also recorded at least one strikeout in three straight appearances and in six of seven appearances overall this month. Rotowire.com 35 minutes ago
     
  • Struggles against Boston
    Littell didn't factor into the decision Thursday, allowing four runs on seven hits and a walk over five innings against the Red Sox. He struck out three.

    Advice: Littell surrendered his first home run since April 22, yielding a solo home run to Rafael Devers in the second inning. Thursday's outing marked Littell's second time in nine starts allowing four or more runs. On the year, Littell owns a 3.44 ERA, a 1.31 WHIP and a 48:4 K:BB across 49.2 innings. He's tentatively scheduled for a rematch with Boston during a three-game homestand early next week. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 8:54 pm
     
  • Surrenders two runs
    Jansen (1-1) took the loss Thursday against Tampa Bay, allowing two runs on two hits and one walk with two strikeouts over one inning.

    Advice: Jansen took over in the top of the ninth with the game tied, but fell to his first loss of the campaign. After striking out Josh Lowe to start off the inning, Jansen yielded a walk, two singles and a sacrifice fly to consecutive batters as the Rays took a 7-5 advantage and the eventual win. The outing raised the 36-year-old's ERA from 2.45 to 3.45. In 15.2 innings of work, Jansen owns a 21:10 K:BB and has yet to allow a home run. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 8:44 pm
     
  • Shaky against Rays
    Criswell didn't factor into the decision Thursday against Tampa Bay, allowing five runs (three earned) on four hits and two walks across 3.2 innings. He struck out three.

    Advice: Criswell set season worst run and earned run totals Thursday and gave up a home run for a third straight start. The long ball came in the third inning off the bat of Josh Lowe and plated Jose Siri. Despite Thursday's hiccup, Criswell owns a 2.76 ERA and a 28:7 K:BB through 29.1 innings, an impressive showing for his first extended stretch as a starter. Although he's been a solid fill-in option for the Sox, Criswell will likely be the odd man out once Garrett Whitlock (oblique) returns from the IL -- which could be as soon as May 20. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 8:36 pm
     
  • Forced to abandon save opportunity
    Adam allowed one hit and one walk while striking out one across 0.2 innings to earn a hold Thursday against the Red Sox.

    Advice: Adam entered the game in the ninth inning and was in line to earn the save, but he was forced to exit after the Rays' exceeded their mound visit limit. He was laboring toward the end of the outing, having allowed each of the last two batters he faced to reach base. Though it wasn't his most dominant appearance, Adam has been excellent this season and has turned in six consecutive scoreless appearances. He could be a candidate for save chances moving forward on occasions when Pete Fairbanks is unavailable or used in high-leverage situations earlier in a contest. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 8:02 pm
     
  • Picks up unconventional save
    Ramirez recorded the final out in Thursday's win over Boston to earn the save.

    Advice: Jason Adam began the ninth inning and was in line to earn the save, but he was forced to leave the game after the Rays exceeded the limit for mound visits. Ramirez then entered the contest to record the final out with runners on first and third. He hasn't worked many high-leverage situations this season and isn't likely to see many moving forward given the depth of Tampa Bay's bullpen. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 7:57 pm
     
  • Ramirez picks up first save of the season
    Erasmo Ramirez recorded one out and picked up his first save of the season against the Red Sox on Thursday.

    Advice: Jason Adam was one out away from picking up his fourth save of the season, but Rays manager Kevin Cash went to the mound and pulled him out of the game after Adam walked Rob Refsnyder and allowed a single to Rafael Devers. Pete Fairbanks seemed to have the night off after pitching the eighth inning on Wednesday. Ramirez is now the eighth different Rays reliever to record a save this season. Rotoworld Yesterday, 7:52 pm
     
  • Takes extra-innings loss
    Alvarado (1-2) took the loss during Thursday's 11-inning 6-5 loss to the Mets, allowing two runs (one earned) on two hits and no walks across one inning. He struck out two.

    Advice: Alvarado didn't take the mound until the 11th frame, when the score was knotted up at four, and ended up with the loss. He allowed a single to JD Martinez to open up the inning -- scoring designated runner Francisco Lindor -- before Harrison Bader doubled to put two runners aboard. Alvarado managed to retire the next three batters he faced; however, Martinez crossed home plate on a wild pitch to put the Mets up two. Through 18.2 innings, Alvarado owns a 3.86 ERA and is 8-for-8 in save chances. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 7:43 pm
     
  • Criswell has shortest outing in no-decision
    Cooper Criswell allowed five runs (three earned) in 3 2/3 innings in the Red Sox’ loss to the Rays on Thursday.



    Advice: Criswell was coming off his best start of the year in which he recorded nine strikeouts. He followed that up with his shortest start of the season and only three strikeouts. Criswell doesn’t work deep into games, but his ERA is still just 2.76 on the season. The 27-year-old journeyman right-hander is set to face the Rays on the road in his next start.

    Rotoworld Yesterday, 7:35 pm