Vidal Brujan's major-league debut is something he can surely write home about, helping the Rays secure an easy 8-1 win over the Cleveland Indians in game 1 of a Wednesday doubleheader at Tropicana Field.
Kevin Kiermaier was the hitting star in game 1, driving in five with a two-run double in the first, and a three-run homer in the third to put the game out of reach.
Michael Wacha pitched a game the Rays needed, going six innings and escaping a second-and-third none-out jam in the top of the fifth, ending Cleveland's last chance to cut into the Rays' lead. Then in the 6th, Wacha struck out the side to complete his day. Wacha's line: six innings, allowing a run on four hits with six strikeouts.
But it was Brujan's first inning that should have Rays fans excited about their latest prospect. In the top of the first, he made a diving stop of an Amed Rosario grounder for the inning's second out.
In his first big-league at bat, with two on and one out in the bottom of the first, Brujan lined a single that scored Joey Wendle from second base for the game's first run, and also gave Brujan his first big-league RBI. Vidal came around to score on Kiermaier's double that made it 3-0.
Brandon Lowe and Brett Phillips added solo homers in the fourth and sixth innings, respectively, for the Rays' final runs.
COVER PHOTO: Getty Images