From first hit to 501st, here’s how Rays’ Randy Arozarena transformed
ST. PETERSBURG — The first one came in his third big-league at-bat, when he made his debut with the Cardinals in 2019. With the bases loaded, Randy Arozarena grounded a single into leftfield. He smiles when he thinks back on that August day, not only because of the hit but also how it came about.
“Yadier Molina was on second base,” the Rays leftfielder said Saturday through team interpreter Manny Navarro, “and the ball hit him.”
Fast-forward almost five years, and Arozarena on Friday pulled a double down the third-base line for his 500th career hit in the Rays’ loss to the Orioles at Tropicana Field. He later singled for his 501st.
In between, Arozarena changed teams and became more known more as a power hitter. But he said that, for him, the basics remain the same.
“I think incrementally I’ve been hitting a lot more home runs. I think I’ve connected on some more important home runs, but I try to keep my mentality the same no matter what,” Arozarena said. “But, you know, it’s nice to be able to transform from the first to the 501st.”
Arozarena said he was aware he was at 499 hits entering Friday’s game but forgot about it during the game. The Rays have been struggling to put together wins, and he is just starting to turn the corner after a slow first two months in which he hit .158 with a .568 OPS and a nearly 33% strikeout percentage.
“I think in the last five games, especially, I’ve been feeling a difference,” Arozarena said. “I haven’t really changed much of what I’m doing. I think now my body is just adjusting accordingly. Like, I’ve tried to stay in my legs a little bit more, and I think that has helped not only hitting but it’s helped me get on base with walks as well.”
Manager Kevin Cash said he has noticed Arozarena making adjustments during at-bats and being more selective with the pitches he swings at.
“Probably his pitch selection and getting into some hitters counts,” Cash said. “And then (Friday), he goes after one in the 3-0 count, swings through it or fouls it off, but makes a little bit of an adjustment on an upper-strike fastball and rifles it down the line for big double.”
Arozarena had his five-game hitting streak snapped on Saturday, when the Rays managed just two hits — both by Yandy Diaz — in a 5-0 loss to the Orioles.
Poche makes an early return
Left-handed relief pitcher Colin Poche was activated from the injured list before Saturday’s game. Lefty reliever Richard Lovelady, acquired from the Cubs three weeks ago, was placed on the IL with a left forearm flexor strain.
Lovelady said he felt the strain while letting go of one of his last fastballs while pitching a scoreless inning on Friday.
“I think it was just more about, let’s kind of calm it down and let’s get ahead of it before it becomes kind of an issue,” Lovelady said.
Poche, placed on the IL on April 26 (retroactive to April 24) with mid-back tightness, had been scheduled to make another rehab appearance this weekend but instead pitched a scoreless inning in Saturday’s loss.
In 11 appearances this season, Poche has an 0-1 record and 6.10 ERA, with six strikeouts and five walks over 10⅓ innings. Lovelady is 2-3 with a 7.36 ERA over eight appearances since joining the Rays in late May.
Right-hander Shane Baz struck out 10 while allowing one run on three hits and two walks over five innings in his rehab start with Triple-A Durham. It was his seventh start in his comeback from Tommy John surgery.
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