As it turns out, the Tampa Bay Rays do like pitcher Jake Odorizzi after all.
Finally, the Rays gave Odorizzi some support in an 8-0 victory over the Detroit Tigers, including four home runs over a stretch of eight batters. It had to feel different for Odorizzi. Before Wednesday night, Odorizzi had led the American League in the lowest run support, averaging only 3.16 runs per game.
The Rays scored three runs in the fourth inning on a run-scoring double by Logan Forsythe and a two-run double by Asdrubal Cabrera. They added five more in the sixth and seventh. Hitting homers for the Rays were Forsythe, Tim Beckham, J.P. Arencibia and Mikie Mahtook.
James Loney had three hits for the Rays, while Brandon Guyer, Forsythe and Tim Beckham all had two. Earlier in the day, Forsythe was named as the American League Player of the Week.
Odorizzi seemed to adjust to the run support just fine. He gave up six hits and no runs in his six innings.
The Rays are off today, then start a 10-game home streak Friday night against Boston. Chris Archer pitches against Wade Miley.
