The game started as a good pitcher’s duel; especially good if you are a Rays fan. Smyly was about as sharp as we’ve seen him this year. He was pounding the zone, if pounding is the right verb for someone whose fastball seldom gets much about 90 mph. But it was effective. Although he allowed a first inning double to Francisco Lindor, no other Cleveland Indian got on base. At the end of three innings, Smyly had thrown just 36 pitches, and only seven of those were strikes.
Tomlin was also pretty sharp. Like Smyly, he doesn’t have a high velocity fastball, but his ability to move around the zone and change speeds keeps hitters off balance.