Rays remain MLB's hottest team as Ryan Pepiot fans 11 in 7-1 win vs. Orioles

John Romano, Tampa Bay Times on Jun 16, 2025

Published in Baseball

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TAMPA, Fla. — It is not the sexiest of statistics. In fact, it is often derided as a bare minimum standard of efficiency.

But for the Rays, the quality start is becoming one of the most important stories of their season.

The Rays beat the Orioles, 7-1, on Monday night with their American League-leading 36th quality start of the season. That means their starting pitcher went six innings or more, and gave up three runs or fewer. For comparison’s sake, the Rays had 48 quality starts in all of 2024.

Essentially, it means the starting pitcher has given his team a chance to win.

And Ryan Pepiot has done that as well as anyone on the Tampa Bay staff.

Pepiot is tied for third in the AL in quality starts with 10 (out of 15 starts) after holding Baltimore to one run in a career-high eight innings on a muggy night before a sellout crowd of 10,046 at Steinbrenner Field.

Pepiot, who got the opening day start when Shane McClanahan went down with an injury in the spring, got a season-high 11 strikeouts while lowering his ERA to 3.11.

The Rays are 19-6 since May 19 and lead the AL wild-card chase while keeping the heat on the Yankees in the East division.

Tampa Bay hitters made it easy for Pepiot by scoring in each of the first five innings while jumping out to a 7-1 lead. Former Ray Zach Eflin gave up a career-high 12 hits against the Rays while only working five innings.

Josh Lowe homered to lead off the bottom of the first and Brandon Lowe added a majestic two-run shot to center field in the fourth inning.

The Rays defense also did its part, turning three double plays behind Pepiot. Tampa Bay is second in the majors with 81 double plays in their 72 games.