Was it really hot Friday night under the climate-controlled dome of Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg?
No, it was just Jeremy Hellickson.
The Tampa Bay Rays took the series opener Friday night 3-0 against the visiting Baltimore Orioles on the strength of a career-first complete game shutout from the right-handed rookie.
Holy Hell.
The young hurler eviscerated the strike zone on first pitches and then worked his curveball and changeup to keep Baltimore’s batters baffled.
“He had really good off-balance stuff,” said Rays manager Joe Maddon. “They didn’t know what was coming. He threw more fastballs, threw them in good spots, then worked his changeup off that.”
“He threw some nice curve balls so I think he had them guessing all night long. I mean, only three punch-outs but a lot of weak contact because he located so well and then he mixed all of his pitches much better tonight.”
The rookie’s run support came courtesy of a familiar face from the minor leagues.
Tampa native Matt Joyce demonstrated the type of hitting that had him sitting third in the majors and on top of the American League coming into Friday night’s game. In the bottom of the second—with Evan Longoria on first after a blooper-worthy base hit—Matty J crushed the first pitch he saw to the stands in right field, collecting his fifth home run of the year.
But even the hot hitter had to offer homage to the one they call “Hellboy.”
This article appears in May 19-25, 2011.