Festa pitched into a jam when Junior Caminero, Baseball America’s No. 1-rated prospect, led off the fourth inning with a single to right field and Josh Lowe followed with a walk. Pitching with a one-run lead, Festa induced a popup for the first out before the Twins defense had a couple of non-error misplays.
Jonathan Aranda hit a game-tying RBI single to left field, a fly ball that skipped past sliding left fielder Austin Martin, who didn’t react quickly to the ball in front of him.
After a ground ball turned into an out at the plate on a strong throw from Lee at shortstop, Rays catcher Logan Driscoll hit a liner that short-hopped off first baseman Carlos Santana’s glove into right field for a go-ahead RBI single. It was Driscoll’s first career hit.
“Those are plays that we need to make, and we know that,” Baldelli said. “Not that they’re not tricky plays or they’re not somewhat difficult, but deep down, I think everyone expects to make all those plays.”
Festa, who struck out seven and walked one, pitched around leadoff singles in the first and second innings. He relied heavily on his fastball and changeup in his first time through the Rays lineup, then mixed in more sliders, generating swings and misses with all three pitches in his repertoire.
“He’ll show glimpses of how phenomenal he can be, and he’ll lose it for a batter or two, then get back in there and strike out the side and finish the inning,” catcher Ryan Jeffers said. “We see the promise and see the excitement there is with him. The next step of growth is just finding what can get the consistency rolling.”