Glasnow impressive in return as Rays sweep

ST. PETERSBURG -- Before landing on the 60-day injured list with a mild right forearm strain, Tyler Glasnow was considered one of the best pitchers in the American League.

Despite his success through the first six weeks of the season, there was some level of uncertainty as the 26-year-old right-hander took the mound on Sunday for the first time since May 10. Glasnow said that while he felt ready to pitch, he didn’t know what his emotions would be like in his return.

Before the game, Rays manager Kevin Cash said he was excited to have the righty back in the rotation, but wanted to temper expectations due to his lengthy absence.

Once Glasnow took the mound, however, he wasted no time in showing that he can still be a key contributor, getting Tampa Bay started on the way to completing a four-game sweep of the Blue Jays with an 8-3 win in the matinee at Tropicana Field.

• Box score

“It feels really good to be back,” Glasnow said. “Nice to get that game atmosphere and go out there and compete with all the guys.”

Glasnow’s outing began with a 96 mph fastball for a strike against Bo Bichette. On the very next pitch, the right-hander lit up the radar gun, flashing 100 mph for strike two against Bichette. Glasnow, who admitted to having some extra adrenaline, went on to fan the young shortstop on three pitches and ultimately needed just 12 pitches to strike out the side in the first.

“Glasnow came out and set the tone. That was impressive in the first inning,” Cash said. “The ball was coming out of his hand and he threw strikes for the most part. Really, really big step in the right direction for us as far as he is concerned.”

After hitting triple digits three times in the first inning, Glasnow’s fastball velocity was between 95 and 97 mph in the second. He battled some command issues in the second frame, issuing two walks and allowing a two-run home run to Randal Grichuk, which was the only damage done against Glasnow.

He was able to work out of trouble in the second, ending his outing with five strikeouts over his two innings. The right-hander threw 41 pitches, 25 of them for strikes. He threw 33 fastballs, averaging 97.6 mph, and eight curveballs in his return, according to Statcast.

“That was the first time I’ve caught him [and] he came as advertised,” said Rays catcher Travis d’Arnaud. “He was electric. His fastball was explosive. His curveball -- even if it started up, it still ended up in the dirt. It’s hard to pick up. It’s hard as a hitter to judge if it’s going to be a swing and miss in the zone or low. That was really fun.”

Glasnow said he felt like he hadn’t “missed a beat” despite being sidelined for four months. He knows that he still needs to work on some mechanics with pitching coach Kyle Snyder and continue to get built up as a starter. But all things considered, Glasnow is officially back with the pitching staff, and that gives the Rays another added boost.

“I just kept shaking my head at [fellow outfielders Austin] Meadows and [Avisail] Garcia out there,” said Rays center fielder Kevin Kiermaier. “I was just looking at the radar gun -- 99-100 and then an 87-mph curveball -- it’s just unfair. It feels great to see him back on the mound and he’s going to be huge for us down the stretch.”

Behind Glasnow, Meadows gave the Rays an early lead with his team-leading 28th home run of the season, a solo shot in the first inning. Meadows has hit eight home runs against the Blue Jays this season, his most against any team.

After falling behind 2-1, Tampa Bay added seven runs to complete its first four-game sweep against the Blue Jays in franchise history. With the win, the Rays finished the 10-game homestand with a 9-1 record, matching one from July 5-14, 2013 for the best three-series homestand in franchise history.

The Rays also maintained their spot atop the American League Wild Card standings, with both the A's and Indians winning on Sunday.

“I think winning breeds winning,” Glasnow said. “Being able to sit back and watch, like I said earlier, it’s less stressful for me not being there and just watching them do so well. But now I’m back and being able to contribute, it’s an even better feeling.”

Kiermaier leaves game
Kiermaier left Sunday’s game in the fifth inning with neck spasms, the club announced. Kiermaier was pinch-hit for in the fifth inning by Nate Lowe and was replaced in center field by Guillermo Heredia to start the sixth, after making a diving play in the top of the fifth.

“I made a game-time decision and said that I wanted to play," Kiermaier said. "I went out there as long as I could, but that catch was the final straw. I’m having a tough time moving around right now, but it’s one of those things where I could feel 100 percent by tomorrow and definitely by Tuesday. I’m not worried about this at all.”