The Tampa Bay Rays, a team that counts on small contributions from the numerous rather than large contributions from the couple of, appear to discover a new hero with each step along their course to the American League pennant. On Monday, it was Manny Margots turn.
Margot was the star of Tampa Bays 4-2 triumph in Game 2 of the AL Championship Series, as the Rays grabbed a 2-0 lead in the series by showcasing Margots skills on both sides of the ball.
At the plate, Margots first-inning, three-run homer off Houston Astros starter Lance McCullers Jr. provided the Rays a lead they never ever gave up. In the field, Margots tumbling-over-the-wall catch of a foul drive off the bat of Houstons George Springer with 2 out and 2 runners in scoring position in the 2nd inning snuffed an Astros rally.
” Manny, he has truly turned it on with the home run,” Rays supervisor Kevin Cash stated of the outfielder. “We didnt see numerous during the regular season, however I believe hes got now 3 substantial home runs for us here in the postseason.
” And then the play, just to have the ability to know where youre at and the effort to state, Forget it, Im gon na hit something, however Im entering, and still hold on to the ball was really, truly excellent.”
2 RelatedMargots homer binge comes on the heels of a routine season in which he hit just one long ball. Its additional proof of a club for which everything appears to be coming together at the ideal time.
” These guys are all-in for each other,” stated Rays starting pitcher Charlie Morton, the recipient of Margots acrobatics.” [They] put their bodies on the line. They have actually been doing that all year.”
Margots catch makes certain to be a highlight-reel favorite. As Springers drive sliced towards the grandstand, Margot captured up with it at the caution track, and as the ball settled into his glove, he turned up and over the guardrail before tumbling about 6 feet to the ground on the wrong side of the rail. He held his glove up to show right-field umpire Manny Gonzalez that he hung on to the ball.
” Manny is excellent,” Morton said. Im simply grateful he is Okay, but that was remarkable.”
When asked whether he enjoyed the home run or the catch more, Margot said the answer was easy.
” Definitely the crowning achievement,” Margot said through an interpreter. “The crowning achievement didnt hurt, and it certainly assisted us gain the lead.”
Manny Margot delivered both with the bat and in the field on Monday as Tampa Bay took a 2-0 series lead over Houston in the ALCS. Sean M. Haffey/Getty ImagesMargot was obtained by the Rays from the San Diego Padres before the season in exchange for reliever Emilio Pagan. He invested parts of 4 seasons with San Diego, making him one of the few Rays familiar with the ALCS venue, Petco Park. He struck.269 during the season with the only homer– after he struck 33 over his last three seasons with the Padres.
The year has been rough for Margot, 26, in more methods than what occurred on the field. He was put on the bereavement list in early August after his father passed away in the Dominican Republic.
” My dad diing during the season– undoubtedly that was tough,” Margot said. “But youve got to find a way to stay favorable, and youve got to move on.”
Money said that rooming with positive Rays shortstop Willy Adames helped Margot transition to his new club, even as the Rays waited out the shutdown of baseball due to the COVID-10 pandemic with the rest of the market. After Mondays game, Adames appeared better than anybody for Margot, marveling at a question about whether Margots catch ought to be enshrined on a T-shirt.
” I hope they make a T-shirt out of that,” Adames stated. “It would be dope if they make a T-shirt of that. That boggled the mind– like, extraordinary, male.”
The way things have been going for the Rays this postseason, by the time they are through, every gamer is going to have a T-shirt.
” We got a gifted group of players, and sometimes that talent doesnt constantly appear at the exact same time,” Cash said. “But right now, definitely on the defense and the pitching, its there. They are playing with very minimal margin of error, and theyre getting it done.”
Margots catch is sure to be a highlight-reel favorite. As Springers drive sliced toward the grandstand, Margot captured up with it at the warning track, and as the ball settled into his glove, he flipped up and over the guardrail before tumbling about 6 feet to the ground on the wrong side of the rail.” Manny is fantastic,” Morton said. Sean M. Haffey/Getty ImagesMargot was obtained by the Rays from the San Diego Padres before the season in exchange for reliever Emilio Pagan. He spent parts of four seasons with San Diego, making him one of the couple of Rays familiar with the ALCS place, Petco Park.
