Freddy Peralta’s debut with the Tampa Bay Rays was a complete nightmare on Tuesday night, with the former star pitcher giving up seven runs on nine hits in less than four innings in their 9-7 extra-innings win over the Colorado Rockies. It was a rough start, to say the least, and it immediately raises questions about his future in Tampa.
The Mets Called It Quits, And So Far, So Good?
The New York Mets had already thrown in the towel on Peralta’s rocky tenure, dealing him to the Rays just days before this abysmal debut. Think about it: this guy was a bona fide star with the Milwaukee Brewers, putting up his best campaign with a stellar 2.70 ERA. But something went sideways in New York. With the Mets, he completely stumbled, posting a 4.99 ERA over 22 starts, his worst performance since way back in 2019. He even admitted his frustration last month, feeling the weight of expectation: “I know that, so far, I’ve let them down. I haven’t done what I’m supposed to do.” The Rays were clearly trying to land a big arm after missing out on the Tarik Skubal sweepstakes, who went to the Dodgers instead. They thought Peralta was the next best thing, but Tuesday’s outing sure made everyone wonder if that gamble paid off.
On-Field Meltdown: A Grand Slam Won’t Save You
This game actually started looking pretty good for the Rays! They exploded for a 5-1 lead in the third inning, thanks to a huge grand slam from Liam Hicks. We’re all thinking, “Okay, easy win coming up!” But then, Peralta took the mound again, and it was like watching a car crash in slow motion. He gave up an RBI single to Ezequiel Tovar, and then, BAM, Mickey Moniak crushed a three-run homer in that very same inning. Suddenly, that comfy lead was looking shaky. The next inning, Willi Castro blasted a two-run shot of his own, and just like that, the Rays were DOWN two runs! That was the end of Peralta’s night, pulled after surrendering seven runs, watching his team go from up big to down. Credit where credit’s due, the Rays showed some serious grit, tying it up in the ninth with a two-RBI single from Jonathan Aranda to force extra innings. They ultimately clawed out a 9-7 win after Ben Williamson scored on a wild pitch and Junior Caminero delivered an RBI single in the 11th. What a rollercoaster, but man, what a tough way to get there.
Peralta’s struggles with the Mets have clearly followed him to Florida. He’s proven himself a reliable starter throughout his career, but this recent slump is undeniable. He’s set to hit free agency this winter, so his time with the Rays might be incredibly short if he can’t turn things around. The Rays are leading the AL East at 67-46, but if they want to make a deep run, they desperately need their new acquisition to find his form before the postseason hits. That’s the million-dollar question for Tampa Bay right now.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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