Andrew Bellatti performed well with the Rays. (Marilyn Indahl-USA TODAY Sports)
MINNEAPOLIS — Tampa Bay Rays right-handed pitcher Andrew Bellatti’s first stint in the major leagues didn’t last long, but if his early success is any indication of what to come, he won’t be back in the minors very long.
Bellatti was optioned back to Triple-A Durham following the game on Saturday to make room on the roster for infielder Nick Franklin, who was activated off the 15-day disabled list for the first time this season after sustaining an oblique injury in spring training.
A 12th-round pick of the Rays in 2009, Bellatti’s first week in the majors was a whirlwind. He earned the victory in his major league debut, pitching 3 1/3 innings of shutout relief, allowing just one hit and one run.
He became the 10th Ray in team history to win his big-league debut and just the third non-starter.
“What a performance; gets off the plane and picks up a win,” Rays manager Kevin Cash told MLB.com after the game. “Extremely deserving (of the win) for what he provided.”
On Saturday against Minnesota, Bellatti nearly did it again.
After right-hander Alex Colome was lifted after just 3 1/3 innings of work, Bellatti entered and went the next 2 2/3, long enough for the Rays to erase a 3-1 deficit and tie the score at 3-3 in the seventh.
Right-hander Kevin Jepsen allowed two unearned runs and Tampa eventually lost 6-4, but Bellatti’s effort out of the pen gave Tampa a chance.
“I feel like I’ve held my own pretty well,” Bellatti said. “I’ve just tried to kind of come in and go for it; not really hold anything back, not really shy away from anyone.”
That attitude was on display in Bellatti’s final inning of work on Saturday. After allowing a leadoff walk and a double, Bellatti buckled down and struck out the next three batters he faced, keeping the Rays within two runs.
In the next half inning, Tampa tied the game on a two-run homer by second baseman Tim Beckham.
Despite not getting a win the second time around, Bellatti’s brief stint in the majors made an impact on his manager.
“He came up here and did everything he could possibly do to showcase himself really well,” Cash said. “He put himself in that mix when we need arms.”
