Rays 5, Rangers 2
Record: 47-36
Attendance: 16,655
While you are wrapping your head around the idea that when the split seasons start we will never get another home game that means anything, take a moment to enjoy Brendan McKay's spectacular debut performance as a starting pitcher for the Tampa Bay Rays on Saturday.
Which is a little surprising because he's only 23 and looks younger with his peach fuzz and pink cheeks, and because he does not look as big as his listed 6-2, and because he does not light up the radar gun with 95+ fastballs. He looks very human, like a regular pitcher, even though he's made the majors in two brief years of minor league experience in five increasingly competitive leagues.
And there he was Saturday on the mound at the sixth and most competitive level, the major leagues. And lo and behold, the kid turned out to be special after all. Some in the Rays family found his pregame routine for this first major league start notable for the young man's calmness. Dewey Robinson, the Rays minor league pitching coordinator put it this way in the Tampa Bay Times: "It's the poise, the confidence , the low heartbeat. Everything about him is so controlled and looks so easy."
All he did in his first game was retire the first 16 men he faced, that's five and a third innings, before a broken-bat bloop single broke up the no-hitter and put a man on base. He got through the rest of the inning unscathed, but that was the end of his day, six innings, one hit, one walk, 81 pitches. His next test, the Yankees this Friday.
Oh and there was some offense that should be noticed, like Willy Adames' continuing improvement. For a lot of the first part of the season, he had more than a few questionable at-bats, base running decisions, and erratic throws to first. Saturday, he reached a new milestone by hitting his first home run at Tropicana Field, his tenth overall. He average is up to .253, his OBP is .319, and he has 26 RBIs. The rest of his game is improving too, and his infectious exuberance sparks every play every day. He's fun to watch day after day.
Avisail Garcia hit his 12th homer of the year, and Travis d'Arnaud hit his fifth. Considering how unlikely an addition d'Arnaud was to the roster as a desperate last minute replacement for the injured catching corps, he is becoming almost indispensable to Manager Kevin Cash's nightly lineup. Nice work. Almost as surprising as Brendan McKay.
Next up: Blake Snell tries to break the spell Cy Young put on him.
Friday, June 28. Game 82: Zzzzzzzzzzz
Rays 0, Rangers 5
Record: 46-36
Attendance: 13,955
It did seem reasonable that there might be a little carry-over from the 18-inning marathon win against the Twins yesterday, the beginning of better fortunes, a return to April baseball, crisp and clean.
But no. The Rays are still stuck in the June swoon. To be fair, after Thursday's nearly six-hour game and a flight that didn't get in till three a.m., it's a miracle they were able to play at all. Of course, it wasn't much of a game they managed to play, tired, and tiresome. They could only muster three hits against veteran Lance Lynn, who picked up his tenth victory against four defeats. He struck out ten over eight innings. Yonny Chirinos pitched lifelessly, lasting six innings and losing the game to go to 7-4.
The only interest in the game was the smattering of Tampa-Montreal antagonism, which you should get used to. Rays fans are not likely to go silently into the French-Canadian night.
The big buzz was the callup of two-way super prospect Brendan McKay, who will start Saturday's game.
Record: 46-36
Attendance: 13,955
It did seem reasonable that there might be a little carry-over from the 18-inning marathon win against the Twins yesterday, the beginning of better fortunes, a return to April baseball, crisp and clean.
But no. The Rays are still stuck in the June swoon. To be fair, after Thursday's nearly six-hour game and a flight that didn't get in till three a.m., it's a miracle they were able to play at all. Of course, it wasn't much of a game they managed to play, tired, and tiresome. They could only muster three hits against veteran Lance Lynn, who picked up his tenth victory against four defeats. He struck out ten over eight innings. Yonny Chirinos pitched lifelessly, lasting six innings and losing the game to go to 7-4.
The only interest in the game was the smattering of Tampa-Montreal antagonism, which you should get used to. Rays fans are not likely to go silently into the French-Canadian night.
The big buzz was the callup of two-way super prospect Brendan McKay, who will start Saturday's game.
Thursday, June 27. Game 81: Beautiful day, Let's play two.
Rays 5, Twins 2, 18 innings
Record: 46-35
Attendance: 31,317
The Rays seemed to take a stabilizing step forward today when they salvaged the last game of a three-game set against the 50 and 28 Twins, 5-2. It took them 18 innings to get the job done, nearly six hours. Until the top of the 18th, all the scoring had been done in the first two innings, and in all, Rays' pitchers ran a string of 17 consecutive scoreless innings, setting a franchise record by striking out 22.
But playing an extra-inning away game from the bottom of the ninth on, the Twins had a walk-off, last at-bat advantage, which is always nerve-racking for the visiting team. As all those scoreless innings added up, the pressure on the Rays to get a run and get out with a W was harder and harder to imagine as an outcome.
In the top of the 18th, Brandon Lowe drew a walk and Travis d'Arnaud was hit by a pitch, putting runners on first and second with nobody out. Tommy Pham got an infield hit to load the bases. Avisail Garcia lined to third for the first out, but Yandy Diaz hit a medium-deep fly ball to left. Lowe tagged and sprinted home, barely sliding his left hand over the plate before the tag was applied. Bang, bang.. Then Willy Adames singled in d'Arnaud and Ji-Man Choi drove home Pham. 5-2 Rays.
Then the Rays' Montreal fan base had to bite its nails in the bottom of the 18th that the bullpen would not falter. It did not. Ryan Yarbrough, the last of nine Rays pitchers, got through the inning and picked up the win. He's now 7-3. It's good to think overnight, just before the home series against the Texas Rangers begins tonight, that this big win could be a momentum shifter that propels the team to a big second half. It seems possible.
Nice job all the way around.
Record: 46-35
Attendance: 31,317
The Rays seemed to take a stabilizing step forward today when they salvaged the last game of a three-game set against the 50 and 28 Twins, 5-2. It took them 18 innings to get the job done, nearly six hours. Until the top of the 18th, all the scoring had been done in the first two innings, and in all, Rays' pitchers ran a string of 17 consecutive scoreless innings, setting a franchise record by striking out 22.
But playing an extra-inning away game from the bottom of the ninth on, the Twins had a walk-off, last at-bat advantage, which is always nerve-racking for the visiting team. As all those scoreless innings added up, the pressure on the Rays to get a run and get out with a W was harder and harder to imagine as an outcome.
In the top of the 18th, Brandon Lowe drew a walk and Travis d'Arnaud was hit by a pitch, putting runners on first and second with nobody out. Tommy Pham got an infield hit to load the bases. Avisail Garcia lined to third for the first out, but Yandy Diaz hit a medium-deep fly ball to left. Lowe tagged and sprinted home, barely sliding his left hand over the plate before the tag was applied. Bang, bang.. Then Willy Adames singled in d'Arnaud and Ji-Man Choi drove home Pham. 5-2 Rays.
Then the Rays' Montreal fan base had to bite its nails in the bottom of the 18th that the bullpen would not falter. It did not. Ryan Yarbrough, the last of nine Rays pitchers, got through the inning and picked up the win. He's now 7-3. It's good to think overnight, just before the home series against the Texas Rangers begins tonight, that this big win could be a momentum shifter that propels the team to a big second half. It seems possible.
Nice job all the way around.
Wednesday, June 26. Game 80: Stu Sternberg and the Big Con
Rays 4, Twins 6
Record: 45-35
Attendance: 31,650
In the midst of the Stu Sternberg Swan Song from the Trop and soon enough from Tampa, the Rays managed to botch up another game, a second straight loss for Charlie Morton, now 8-2, and a blown save from Emilio Pagan. They had homers from Kevin Kiermaier, Tommy Pham, and a go-ahead solo homer from Willie Adames in the seventh. Pagan, however, threw a bases clearing double to Nelson Cruz in the bottom of the seventh, and eventually the fat lady sang and the Rays lost 6-4.
But it was hard to keep your mind on a ballgame when the terrible news about the Rays playing half their home games in Montreal, Canada, was still settling in, a worse act of baseball betrayal than even Traitor Joe Maddon committed.
Here's what I wrote today to the Tampa Bay Times' columnists who have been covering this story, Marc Topkin, John Romano, and Martin Fennelly.
Record: 45-35
Attendance: 31,650
In the midst of the Stu Sternberg Swan Song from the Trop and soon enough from Tampa, the Rays managed to botch up another game, a second straight loss for Charlie Morton, now 8-2, and a blown save from Emilio Pagan. They had homers from Kevin Kiermaier, Tommy Pham, and a go-ahead solo homer from Willie Adames in the seventh. Pagan, however, threw a bases clearing double to Nelson Cruz in the bottom of the seventh, and eventually the fat lady sang and the Rays lost 6-4.
But it was hard to keep your mind on a ballgame when the terrible news about the Rays playing half their home games in Montreal, Canada, was still settling in, a worse act of baseball betrayal than even Traitor Joe Maddon committed.
Here's what I wrote today to the Tampa Bay Times' columnists who have been covering this story, Marc Topkin, John Romano, and Martin Fennelly.
Gentlemen:
Has it occurred to anyone that
having the Rays until mid-June is not at all equitable? It's not even
close to being a 50-50 deal because no one cares about April and May
baseball, and all the fun begins during the pennant run and jockeying
for a wild card spot. Montreal would get all of that. We'd get
Associated Press wire stories.
(And what about you
guys? Is one of you going to learn French and move up there for three
months--even if the Times could afford it? And judging from the number
of higher priced columnists who have been let go in the last couple of years and either not been
replaced or replaced by lower cost writers, I'd say the chances are slim
to zero that one of you will be assigned to the Montreal Canadian Rays.)
Sternberg is running the Big Con on us--and he wants us to be grateful that we're keeping the Rays "for generations to come."
And
don't feel bad for him because of low attendance. I'm going way out on
a limb here: Stu's making a ton of money already. And we know the
franchise is worth much much more now than when he bought it. Finances
are not at the heart of this argument, greed is.
This
whole process is destined to move along at a glacial pace, but if it
were up to me, I'd evict the Rays and send them packing right now for
Montreal, Las Vegas, Portland, anywhere, as long as they were out of the
parking lot by sundown.
Sorry for the rant,
just one fan's opinion. As of now the Marlins are my new team--they're only 300 miles away, not 1500--plus I get them on my TV, and in
case you haven't noticed, they are playing way better baseball than the Montreal
Rays.
EC
Tuesday, June 25. Game 79: Montreal fiasco fleshed out and Snell fails once again.
Rays 4, Twins 9
Record: 45-34
Attendance: 31,963
Stu Sternberg walked the press and politicians from two counties through his cockamamie plan for the Rays to play half their games in Tampa and half in Montreal. Yes, the Montreal that's 1,500 miles away in another country. He made a point that this was not a "staged exit," but he's lying about that. He also said that if his wishes are thwarted, he would indeed be taking his team and heading elsewhere, even if he has to wait till 2028.
But Stu's right. It is his team and he can do what he wants with it, but please Stu, make a clean break. Move the hell out ASAP so we don't have to watch any more of this sorry spectacle day after miserable day. Me, as of now I'm a Miami Marlins fan. I've been following them online and on tv for a year now. And they aren't moving anywhere, despite their worse attendance than the Rays'. Best, they are only 300 miles away, not 1500.
So this is my official resignation from this blog. The Rays and I are through, though I would be remiss if I didn't point out that Blake Snell sucked once again yesterday, giving up seven runs in three and a third innings. He is in free fall--and so are the Rays. Their season will get a little better, but all the promise of April has gone up in smoke.
Lots of luck boys, and adios.
Edward Cifelli
Record: 45-34
Attendance: 31,963
Stu Sternberg walked the press and politicians from two counties through his cockamamie plan for the Rays to play half their games in Tampa and half in Montreal. Yes, the Montreal that's 1,500 miles away in another country. He made a point that this was not a "staged exit," but he's lying about that. He also said that if his wishes are thwarted, he would indeed be taking his team and heading elsewhere, even if he has to wait till 2028.
But Stu's right. It is his team and he can do what he wants with it, but please Stu, make a clean break. Move the hell out ASAP so we don't have to watch any more of this sorry spectacle day after miserable day. Me, as of now I'm a Miami Marlins fan. I've been following them online and on tv for a year now. And they aren't moving anywhere, despite their worse attendance than the Rays'. Best, they are only 300 miles away, not 1500.
So this is my official resignation from this blog. The Rays and I are through, though I would be remiss if I didn't point out that Blake Snell sucked once again yesterday, giving up seven runs in three and a third innings. He is in free fall--and so are the Rays. Their season will get a little better, but all the promise of April has gone up in smoke.
Lots of luck boys, and adios.
Edward Cifelli
Monday. June 24. Off Day.
One day off isn't enough for a team struggling through dozens of games stacked up one on top of the other and at the same time struggling through a number of individual slumps as well as a team-wide trance that has paralyzed both the offense and defense.
But they'll take it.
But they'll take it.
Sunday, June 23. Game 78: Castillo to the IL. Unsuspected shoulder issues.
Rays 8, Athletics 2
Record 45-33
Attendance: 17,006
Eight runs. 15 hits. Three walks. Seven hits in a row in the fourth inning.
Two hits, one homer, and three RBIs from Travis d'Arnaud. Three hits from Joey Wendle. Three more from Avisail Garcia. Two hits and a walk from Mike Zunino. Two hits including a bases-clearing double from Austin Meadows.
All this from a team that has averaged fewer than three runs a game for more than a week.
What can account for such a blast of offense? Maybe they were celebrating Diego Castillo going on the Injured List for a heretofore unnoticed right shoulder inflammation. Maybe the team was jubilant in the knowledge that Castillo wouldn't be around to give the game away in the ninth.
That's harsh, I know, and there's no chance it can be true, but I wouldn't blame the team if the idea didn't pass through at least a few minds.
The pitching was excellent without Castillo. Stanek opened, Yarbrough picked it up in the second and lasted to the eighth when Chaz Roe pitched a flawless inning. Colin Poche pitched an even better ninth striking out Chad Pinder to end the game.
The only starting player to have a bad day was Willy Adames, who went 0 for 5 and committed a throwing error, his tenth error of the year. Willy hasn't reached his top form yet, not even close, and it remains to be seen if he will get to that level this year, but he's still very young (23) and may yet be the type of SS who pays annual dividends: 15-20 HRs, .285-.300 BA, 65-75 RBIs, and a few stolen bases. And if he can control his throws to first a little better, he may yet be the Rays' SS of the future--or at least until Wonder Franco joins the team.
The win evened the series in Oakland at 2 and 2 and put the Rays into a solid frame of mind as they prepare for three games against the Twins beginning on Tuesday.
Record 45-33
Attendance: 17,006
Eight runs. 15 hits. Three walks. Seven hits in a row in the fourth inning.
Two hits, one homer, and three RBIs from Travis d'Arnaud. Three hits from Joey Wendle. Three more from Avisail Garcia. Two hits and a walk from Mike Zunino. Two hits including a bases-clearing double from Austin Meadows.
All this from a team that has averaged fewer than three runs a game for more than a week.
What can account for such a blast of offense? Maybe they were celebrating Diego Castillo going on the Injured List for a heretofore unnoticed right shoulder inflammation. Maybe the team was jubilant in the knowledge that Castillo wouldn't be around to give the game away in the ninth.
That's harsh, I know, and there's no chance it can be true, but I wouldn't blame the team if the idea didn't pass through at least a few minds.
The pitching was excellent without Castillo. Stanek opened, Yarbrough picked it up in the second and lasted to the eighth when Chaz Roe pitched a flawless inning. Colin Poche pitched an even better ninth striking out Chad Pinder to end the game.
The only starting player to have a bad day was Willy Adames, who went 0 for 5 and committed a throwing error, his tenth error of the year. Willy hasn't reached his top form yet, not even close, and it remains to be seen if he will get to that level this year, but he's still very young (23) and may yet be the type of SS who pays annual dividends: 15-20 HRs, .285-.300 BA, 65-75 RBIs, and a few stolen bases. And if he can control his throws to first a little better, he may yet be the Rays' SS of the future--or at least until Wonder Franco joins the team.
The win evened the series in Oakland at 2 and 2 and put the Rays into a solid frame of mind as they prepare for three games against the Twins beginning on Tuesday.
Saturday, June 22. Game 77: Send the Rays to Montreal now.
Rays 2, A's 4
Record: 44-33
Attendance: 26,623
Manager Kevin Cash may not be at fault for the mess Diego Castillo has caused. Yes, he continued yesterday to put Castillo into a tie game in the seventh. He'd given up a walk-off homer to Matt Chapman two days earlier. And this time he walked the first batter he faced (always bad and a direct violation of the pitcher's creed: throw strikes), and two batters later Matt Chapman came up again. This time Castillo held him to a run-producing, tie-breaking double. With two on and no outs, Matt Olson was given an intentional pass loading the bases. One batter after that, Castillo hit Ramon Laureano between the shoulder blades forcing in the fourth run. And that was it, A's win 4-2.
But what share of the blame goes to Manager Cash? He was quoted in the Tampa Bay Times that after Ji-Man Choi's game-tying homer in the top of the seventh, Castillo's work was "a little bit of a momentum bust." But here's where I begin to forgive Cash: "We get our guy in there--and Diego is our guy--he comes in with a four-pitch walk." And of course it went down the drain after that. But Cash is still thinking Castillo is his guy. Mysteriously, by process of elimination, he probably is.
If you are looking for a villain here, how about the front office which hasn't pulled off a trade to help the bullpen? Or to help the lineup with a big bat, like Edwin Encarnacion's--he was obviously available because the Yankees managed a trade for him. Or a traditional starter. Or another bulk man.
Maybe Chaim Bloom, the Rays Sr. VP in charge of baseball operations, has been too busy interviewing for jobs with the San Francisco Giants and New York Mets to do his job in Tampa Bay. The more he thinks about his cv and career advancement, the less he is thinking about the Rays. That just makes sense. Or maybe Bloom and all the rest of the Rays front office people from chief owner Stu Sternberg down have become too obsessed with their Montreal machinations to pay attention to what's happening on the field these days. Maybe it would be best to send this bunch of slumping losers to Montreal right now.
But do us a favor Mr. Cash, go with one of your other bullpen guys in a high leverage situation today.
Record: 44-33
Attendance: 26,623
Manager Kevin Cash may not be at fault for the mess Diego Castillo has caused. Yes, he continued yesterday to put Castillo into a tie game in the seventh. He'd given up a walk-off homer to Matt Chapman two days earlier. And this time he walked the first batter he faced (always bad and a direct violation of the pitcher's creed: throw strikes), and two batters later Matt Chapman came up again. This time Castillo held him to a run-producing, tie-breaking double. With two on and no outs, Matt Olson was given an intentional pass loading the bases. One batter after that, Castillo hit Ramon Laureano between the shoulder blades forcing in the fourth run. And that was it, A's win 4-2.
But what share of the blame goes to Manager Cash? He was quoted in the Tampa Bay Times that after Ji-Man Choi's game-tying homer in the top of the seventh, Castillo's work was "a little bit of a momentum bust." But here's where I begin to forgive Cash: "We get our guy in there--and Diego is our guy--he comes in with a four-pitch walk." And of course it went down the drain after that. But Cash is still thinking Castillo is his guy. Mysteriously, by process of elimination, he probably is.
If you are looking for a villain here, how about the front office which hasn't pulled off a trade to help the bullpen? Or to help the lineup with a big bat, like Edwin Encarnacion's--he was obviously available because the Yankees managed a trade for him. Or a traditional starter. Or another bulk man.
Maybe Chaim Bloom, the Rays Sr. VP in charge of baseball operations, has been too busy interviewing for jobs with the San Francisco Giants and New York Mets to do his job in Tampa Bay. The more he thinks about his cv and career advancement, the less he is thinking about the Rays. That just makes sense. Or maybe Bloom and all the rest of the Rays front office people from chief owner Stu Sternberg down have become too obsessed with their Montreal machinations to pay attention to what's happening on the field these days. Maybe it would be best to send this bunch of slumping losers to Montreal right now.
But do us a favor Mr. Cash, go with one of your other bullpen guys in a high leverage situation today.
Friday, June 21. Game 76: Rays win! Rays win! (for a change)
Rays 5, Athletics 3
Record: 44-32
Attendance: 16,126.
The win didn't come easily--for the players or the fans who stayed up till 1:30 to see it through. The A's collected 10 hits, including two more homers against leaky Rays' pitching (the 12th for both Matt Olson and Ramon Laureano). The Rays chipped in a couple of errors too, plus two walks. On the Rays side of the ledger, they too collected 10 hits, including one home run, Willy Adames's seventh (all hit on the road where he is hitting over .300). The A's were "credited" with one error and one run-scoring passed ball, but their defense was weak all night, while the Rays were very sharp on defense.
The Rays drew first blood with two in the third and one in the fourth, while the A's put up single runs in the third and fourth. Adames's home run in the sixth extended the lead to 4-2, but no Rays fan was comfortable with the lead considering that the team had given up four runs in the bottom of the ninth the night before, including Matt Chapman's walk-off three-run homer. No this one was far from over going into the eighth. That's when the Matt bats got together to draw within one, Matt Olson doubling in Matt Chapman. It was a tight 4-3 game. But the Rays scored an insurance run in the top of the ninth when Brandon Lowe (3 for 5) doubled home Adames (3 for 4).
But a two-run lead in the ninth didn't seem safe in the hands of this bullpen this week. The Rays had already burned through an opener Andrew Kittredge who went two innings; a Bulkster Jalen Beeks who went two more innings (two runs), and Austin Pruitt who pitched three innings giving up only one run. At that point Kevin Cash began his caravan of two-out pitchers, Poche, Roe, Drake, and finally Pagan, who picked up his fourth save. Notable was that Diego Castillo did not come in even though Cash said that he would bring him in if the situation called for it. Apparently this situation did not. Thank God.
The whole thing took three hours and twenty minutes. Hard viewing.
Postscript to Thursday's 5-4 walkoff A's victory. The A's starting pitcher, Frankie Montas (9-2, 2.70 ERA) dominated the Rays--eight innings, four hits, one run, 9 Ks, 93 pitches. Today he was given an 80-game suspension by Major League Baseball for using performance enhancing drugs.
Postcript to yesterday's story that the Rays' front office was going to explore a split season between Tampa and Montreal, Canada. No one thinks it will work. Here's Tampa Bay Times Financial page editor, Graham Brink: "The challenges don't end with the distance. The team would have to deal with different currencies, tax codes, corporate sponsors, languages, climates, and politics."
Record: 44-32
Attendance: 16,126.
The win didn't come easily--for the players or the fans who stayed up till 1:30 to see it through. The A's collected 10 hits, including two more homers against leaky Rays' pitching (the 12th for both Matt Olson and Ramon Laureano). The Rays chipped in a couple of errors too, plus two walks. On the Rays side of the ledger, they too collected 10 hits, including one home run, Willy Adames's seventh (all hit on the road where he is hitting over .300). The A's were "credited" with one error and one run-scoring passed ball, but their defense was weak all night, while the Rays were very sharp on defense.
The Rays drew first blood with two in the third and one in the fourth, while the A's put up single runs in the third and fourth. Adames's home run in the sixth extended the lead to 4-2, but no Rays fan was comfortable with the lead considering that the team had given up four runs in the bottom of the ninth the night before, including Matt Chapman's walk-off three-run homer. No this one was far from over going into the eighth. That's when the Matt bats got together to draw within one, Matt Olson doubling in Matt Chapman. It was a tight 4-3 game. But the Rays scored an insurance run in the top of the ninth when Brandon Lowe (3 for 5) doubled home Adames (3 for 4).
But a two-run lead in the ninth didn't seem safe in the hands of this bullpen this week. The Rays had already burned through an opener Andrew Kittredge who went two innings; a Bulkster Jalen Beeks who went two more innings (two runs), and Austin Pruitt who pitched three innings giving up only one run. At that point Kevin Cash began his caravan of two-out pitchers, Poche, Roe, Drake, and finally Pagan, who picked up his fourth save. Notable was that Diego Castillo did not come in even though Cash said that he would bring him in if the situation called for it. Apparently this situation did not. Thank God.
The whole thing took three hours and twenty minutes. Hard viewing.
Postscript to Thursday's 5-4 walkoff A's victory. The A's starting pitcher, Frankie Montas (9-2, 2.70 ERA) dominated the Rays--eight innings, four hits, one run, 9 Ks, 93 pitches. Today he was given an 80-game suspension by Major League Baseball for using performance enhancing drugs.
Postcript to yesterday's story that the Rays' front office was going to explore a split season between Tampa and Montreal, Canada. No one thinks it will work. Here's Tampa Bay Times Financial page editor, Graham Brink: "The challenges don't end with the distance. The team would have to deal with different currencies, tax codes, corporate sponsors, languages, climates, and politics."
Thursday, June 20. Game 75. Diego Disaster blows another one as the Rays threaten to move to Montreal
Rays 4, Athletics 5
Record: 43-32
Attendance: 12,351
Part I. The Game
Part II. Rays threaten move to Montreal
Part I.
The Rays broke up a 1-1 tie with three runs in the top of the ninth, Tommy Pham walked to open the inning and next up Brandon Lowe walked too. Then, in either a bold or overly aggressive move, Pham and Lowe pulled off a double steal putting men on second and third with no outs. Avisail Garcia singled home Pham, Lowe to third. Then Garcia stole second. Men on second and third, no out. Ji-Man Choi then singled home Lowe with Garcia going to third. After Kevin Kiermaier popped out, Willy Adames squeeze bunted Garcia home. Rays 4, A's 1.
But then came Diego Castillo to lose the game. He walked the first batter, wild-pitched him to second, got a ground ball out, walked another batter, struck one out for the second out, gave up a single to score one run, and then gave up a three-run homer to Matt Chapman. A's 5, Rays 4.
As if the three-game sweep in New York weren't humiliating enough, the Rays blow a three-run lead in the ninth inning. But the fact is, Rays' manager Kevin Cash, shouldn't be using Diego Castillo any more. His 1-5 record and now a blown save, makes him one of the worst performers in the bullpen. His last save came against the Angels last Sunday when he took a 6-3 lead into the ninth then gave up a two-run homer to Mike Trout and escaped further damage with a man on second by striking out Kole Calhoun on a called third strike that looked wide on replays. If there was ever a pitcher who should be getting his groove back at triple A Durham, Diego Castillo is that man.
Charlie Morton did his part to carry the team out of its slump, going six and a third and giving up a single run on four hits, two walks, and six strikeouts. Emilio Pagan was a little shaky in his inning and two-thirds, but gave up no runs, which set the stage for Castillo to lose his fifth game of the year and pick up his first blown save, double snake eyes.
The Rays managed only six hits against the Athletics, Frankie Montas firing eight innings of four-hit, one-run ball, striking out nine, and throwing only 93 pitches. Austin Meadows, who eleven days ago when he was batting .341 and was in the MVP conversation, has since then dropped to .303 with no home runs and no runs batted in. In his last 36 at-bats, Meadows has struck out 16 times (three against Montas yesterday) and has had only three hits. Add Meadows to the list of very underperforming Rays.
It bears repeating: The Rays have an ample supply of minor league talent that can attract traders around both leagues who want to give up good players for a chance at future improvements. They need help in the bullpen. They need a power hitter. They need a starter. They need a closer. It's not too late to answer some of these needs in order to remain relevant in pennant conversations this year.
If you think Rays pitchers have suddenly started throwing home run balls, you're right. Eduardo Encina ran this in today's Tampa Bay Times: "They have allowed 10 homers in their past five games and 16 in their past nine, including multiple homers in three straight games and six of their past nine." Add another two-homer game last night.
Part II
The big news in baseball yesterday was the announcement from MLB that the Rays have been given permission to explore the possibility of a shared schedule with Montreal, which means Tampa and Montreal would share the team, half the home games (about 40 games) being played in each city. Somehow this "solution" to the Rays' attendance problems and the endless political bickering about a new location for a new stadium, is supposed to be best for the Tampa Bay area. According to principal owner Stu Sternberg, as quoted by Marc Topkin in the Tampa Bay Times, "My priority remains the same, I am committed to keeping baseball in Tampa Bay for generations to come."
But the Rays must honor the contract with the city of St. Petersburg that requires the Rays to play all their home games at Tropicana Field through 2027. The Rays and MLB can explore all they want, but they won't be allowed to play anywhere else without permission from city officials in St. Pete. Again, Marc Topkin quotes another of the principals in this story, St. Petersburg mayor Rick Kriseman, "who was quick to reject the idea on Thursday, saying 'sharing this team with Montreal is not an option on the table.'"
There are numerous stumbling blocks besides the seemingly unsolvable political ones keeping this Montreal idea from ever seeing the light of day. Chief among them is the impact such a move would have on the players, 25 on the every day roster, 40 on the expanded roster, and the unknown number of players on triple A Durham's roster who wait for the call. Brad Ziegler, a rep for the players union, was quoted in the Times: "Splitting time between the 2 cities would be an absolute nightmare as a player. Potentially moving your family/pets back and forth,finding pediatricians, doctors, vets, paying rent on multiple houses, even when you're not there. No thanks."
Bottom line: MLB and the Rays are using Montreal and the threat of the team moving there as a bargaining chip in the ongoing feud over the Rays future in the area. The conversation has been mostly amicable over the last decade, civilized and intelligent--smart friendly people looking for smart friendly solutions. From this point forward you can take friendly out of the equation.
Record: 43-32
Attendance: 12,351
Part I. The Game
Part II. Rays threaten move to Montreal
Part I.
The Rays broke up a 1-1 tie with three runs in the top of the ninth, Tommy Pham walked to open the inning and next up Brandon Lowe walked too. Then, in either a bold or overly aggressive move, Pham and Lowe pulled off a double steal putting men on second and third with no outs. Avisail Garcia singled home Pham, Lowe to third. Then Garcia stole second. Men on second and third, no out. Ji-Man Choi then singled home Lowe with Garcia going to third. After Kevin Kiermaier popped out, Willy Adames squeeze bunted Garcia home. Rays 4, A's 1.
But then came Diego Castillo to lose the game. He walked the first batter, wild-pitched him to second, got a ground ball out, walked another batter, struck one out for the second out, gave up a single to score one run, and then gave up a three-run homer to Matt Chapman. A's 5, Rays 4.
As if the three-game sweep in New York weren't humiliating enough, the Rays blow a three-run lead in the ninth inning. But the fact is, Rays' manager Kevin Cash, shouldn't be using Diego Castillo any more. His 1-5 record and now a blown save, makes him one of the worst performers in the bullpen. His last save came against the Angels last Sunday when he took a 6-3 lead into the ninth then gave up a two-run homer to Mike Trout and escaped further damage with a man on second by striking out Kole Calhoun on a called third strike that looked wide on replays. If there was ever a pitcher who should be getting his groove back at triple A Durham, Diego Castillo is that man.
Charlie Morton did his part to carry the team out of its slump, going six and a third and giving up a single run on four hits, two walks, and six strikeouts. Emilio Pagan was a little shaky in his inning and two-thirds, but gave up no runs, which set the stage for Castillo to lose his fifth game of the year and pick up his first blown save, double snake eyes.
The Rays managed only six hits against the Athletics, Frankie Montas firing eight innings of four-hit, one-run ball, striking out nine, and throwing only 93 pitches. Austin Meadows, who eleven days ago when he was batting .341 and was in the MVP conversation, has since then dropped to .303 with no home runs and no runs batted in. In his last 36 at-bats, Meadows has struck out 16 times (three against Montas yesterday) and has had only three hits. Add Meadows to the list of very underperforming Rays.
It bears repeating: The Rays have an ample supply of minor league talent that can attract traders around both leagues who want to give up good players for a chance at future improvements. They need help in the bullpen. They need a power hitter. They need a starter. They need a closer. It's not too late to answer some of these needs in order to remain relevant in pennant conversations this year.
If you think Rays pitchers have suddenly started throwing home run balls, you're right. Eduardo Encina ran this in today's Tampa Bay Times: "They have allowed 10 homers in their past five games and 16 in their past nine, including multiple homers in three straight games and six of their past nine." Add another two-homer game last night.
Part II
The big news in baseball yesterday was the announcement from MLB that the Rays have been given permission to explore the possibility of a shared schedule with Montreal, which means Tampa and Montreal would share the team, half the home games (about 40 games) being played in each city. Somehow this "solution" to the Rays' attendance problems and the endless political bickering about a new location for a new stadium, is supposed to be best for the Tampa Bay area. According to principal owner Stu Sternberg, as quoted by Marc Topkin in the Tampa Bay Times, "My priority remains the same, I am committed to keeping baseball in Tampa Bay for generations to come."
But the Rays must honor the contract with the city of St. Petersburg that requires the Rays to play all their home games at Tropicana Field through 2027. The Rays and MLB can explore all they want, but they won't be allowed to play anywhere else without permission from city officials in St. Pete. Again, Marc Topkin quotes another of the principals in this story, St. Petersburg mayor Rick Kriseman, "who was quick to reject the idea on Thursday, saying 'sharing this team with Montreal is not an option on the table.'"
There are numerous stumbling blocks besides the seemingly unsolvable political ones keeping this Montreal idea from ever seeing the light of day. Chief among them is the impact such a move would have on the players, 25 on the every day roster, 40 on the expanded roster, and the unknown number of players on triple A Durham's roster who wait for the call. Brad Ziegler, a rep for the players union, was quoted in the Times: "Splitting time between the 2 cities would be an absolute nightmare as a player. Potentially moving your family/pets back and forth,finding pediatricians, doctors, vets, paying rent on multiple houses, even when you're not there. No thanks."
Bottom line: MLB and the Rays are using Montreal and the threat of the team moving there as a bargaining chip in the ongoing feud over the Rays future in the area. The conversation has been mostly amicable over the last decade, civilized and intelligent--smart friendly people looking for smart friendly solutions. From this point forward you can take friendly out of the equation.
Wednesday, June 19. Game 74. Rays front office: What's taking you so long to make a move? Or two? Or Three?
Rays, 1, Yankees 12
Record: 43-31
Attendance:41,144
What's it going to take for the Rays' front office to realize their team is not merely in a slump, that they are not nearly the team they thought they were, prayed they might be, back in the glory days of April? Since June 1 they are 8-11, and over the last 10 games, they are 3-7. And they've looked bad doing it, although not as bad as they did yesterday in the Yankee finale, when they got swept in a pathetic display, 12-1.
This last one was especially hard to take because the Rays were counting on their Cy Young winner Blake Snell to put them back on the winning path. What he did, however, was a disgrace. He lasted one-third of an inning. That's right, he threw 39 pitches to seven batters. He walked four of them, gave up a three-run homer to Gary Sanchez, and allowed six earned runs to score. This is the best we have? The best we can do?
No part of the team is performing well these days. They could only scrape together two hits on Monday when Masahiro Tanaka shut them out, 3-0; on Tuesday they had nine hits in a 6-3 loss; and in yesterday's 12-1 debacle, they had three hits. Starters and relievers have been giving up runs at an alarming pace, the Yankees beating the Rays by a score of 21-4.
These days baseball people are all looking ahead to the July 31 trade deadline, but the Rays's season could be finished by then. They need to make some moves now. And not the kind of moves that land them unproven rookies or triple A players. They need to sign a name player or two, which is possible through trades. Name free agents, with the exception of Charlie Morton, have chosen not to sign with the low-attendance Rays. Unless they have no-trade clauses in their contracts, however, players have little to say about trades that send them to Tampa. Tommy Pham last year is an excellent case in point. The Rays need to make another Pham-level trade or two to get back in the middle of this pennant race. The timing is critical if there is to be any remaining hope for post-season dreams.
Filed under the category of "Making Matters Worse": The Rays had to put Yandy Diaz on the IL for his right hamstring discomfort. Diaz has been one of the few bright spots this June, hitting .361. Daniel Robertson with his .205 average, was recalled from Durham to take his place. They also "bolstered" the bullpen by adding Austin Pruitt, who has a 5.46 ERA in Durham. In 12 and two-thirds innings for the Rays this year, his ERA is an even worse 6.39.
Looking to stop the bleeding, Charlie Morton takes the mound in Oakland at 10:07 tonight. Best case scenario: a rainout.
Record: 43-31
Attendance:41,144
What's it going to take for the Rays' front office to realize their team is not merely in a slump, that they are not nearly the team they thought they were, prayed they might be, back in the glory days of April? Since June 1 they are 8-11, and over the last 10 games, they are 3-7. And they've looked bad doing it, although not as bad as they did yesterday in the Yankee finale, when they got swept in a pathetic display, 12-1.
This last one was especially hard to take because the Rays were counting on their Cy Young winner Blake Snell to put them back on the winning path. What he did, however, was a disgrace. He lasted one-third of an inning. That's right, he threw 39 pitches to seven batters. He walked four of them, gave up a three-run homer to Gary Sanchez, and allowed six earned runs to score. This is the best we have? The best we can do?
No part of the team is performing well these days. They could only scrape together two hits on Monday when Masahiro Tanaka shut them out, 3-0; on Tuesday they had nine hits in a 6-3 loss; and in yesterday's 12-1 debacle, they had three hits. Starters and relievers have been giving up runs at an alarming pace, the Yankees beating the Rays by a score of 21-4.
These days baseball people are all looking ahead to the July 31 trade deadline, but the Rays's season could be finished by then. They need to make some moves now. And not the kind of moves that land them unproven rookies or triple A players. They need to sign a name player or two, which is possible through trades. Name free agents, with the exception of Charlie Morton, have chosen not to sign with the low-attendance Rays. Unless they have no-trade clauses in their contracts, however, players have little to say about trades that send them to Tampa. Tommy Pham last year is an excellent case in point. The Rays need to make another Pham-level trade or two to get back in the middle of this pennant race. The timing is critical if there is to be any remaining hope for post-season dreams.
Filed under the category of "Making Matters Worse": The Rays had to put Yandy Diaz on the IL for his right hamstring discomfort. Diaz has been one of the few bright spots this June, hitting .361. Daniel Robertson with his .205 average, was recalled from Durham to take his place. They also "bolstered" the bullpen by adding Austin Pruitt, who has a 5.46 ERA in Durham. In 12 and two-thirds innings for the Rays this year, his ERA is an even worse 6.39.
Looking to stop the bleeding, Charlie Morton takes the mound in Oakland at 10:07 tonight. Best case scenario: a rainout.
Tuesday, June 18. Game 73: Rays digging themselves a big hole
Rays 3, Yankees 6
Record: 43-30
Attendance: 40,479
The scrappy Rays had built themselves a satisfying 2-1 lead going into the bottom of the fifth. They got timely run-producing singles from Mike Zunino in the second inning and Avisail Garcia in the third. An add-on run would come in the seventh on a Travis d'Arnaud double driving in Joey Wendle--or it would have been an add-on run if the bullpen hadn't given up three in the fifth and real Yankee add-ons in the seventh and eighth. The one in the eighth came on Edwin Encarnacion's 22nd homer, just to add a little more pain to the box score, 6-3 Yanks.
The bullpen, such a source of strength for so long into the young season has more recently been giving up home runs and small-ball rallies too, finding more ways to lose ball games than to win them. Opener Ryne Stanek gave up a single run in his inning and a third. Ryan Yarbrough pitched three solid innings giving up a single hit and striking out two. But then came Chaz Roe, who has appeared in 31 games (0-4) and given up 12 runs on 23 hits (2 HRs) and 19 walks in 21 innings, a 5.14 ERA. And still Manager Kevin Cash keeps calling on him as though he were as reliable as he was last year.
Oliver Drake and newly added Andrew Kittredge from Durham (1,93 ERA and more than a strikeout an inning) finished up by giving up a run each.
It's time the Rays gave up some of their prized youngsters in the minor league system to improve the team right now with a name player or two. That would make the Rays more competitive for the rest of the summer and fall, but it would also send a message to the fans that their team is worth seeing in person at the Trop. Investing in the team is investing in attendance. And the Rays can afford a player or two. This is the time to pull the trigger.
Record: 43-30
Attendance: 40,479
The scrappy Rays had built themselves a satisfying 2-1 lead going into the bottom of the fifth. They got timely run-producing singles from Mike Zunino in the second inning and Avisail Garcia in the third. An add-on run would come in the seventh on a Travis d'Arnaud double driving in Joey Wendle--or it would have been an add-on run if the bullpen hadn't given up three in the fifth and real Yankee add-ons in the seventh and eighth. The one in the eighth came on Edwin Encarnacion's 22nd homer, just to add a little more pain to the box score, 6-3 Yanks.
The bullpen, such a source of strength for so long into the young season has more recently been giving up home runs and small-ball rallies too, finding more ways to lose ball games than to win them. Opener Ryne Stanek gave up a single run in his inning and a third. Ryan Yarbrough pitched three solid innings giving up a single hit and striking out two. But then came Chaz Roe, who has appeared in 31 games (0-4) and given up 12 runs on 23 hits (2 HRs) and 19 walks in 21 innings, a 5.14 ERA. And still Manager Kevin Cash keeps calling on him as though he were as reliable as he was last year.
Oliver Drake and newly added Andrew Kittredge from Durham (1,93 ERA and more than a strikeout an inning) finished up by giving up a run each.
It's time the Rays gave up some of their prized youngsters in the minor league system to improve the team right now with a name player or two. That would make the Rays more competitive for the rest of the summer and fall, but it would also send a message to the fans that their team is worth seeing in person at the Trop. Investing in the team is investing in attendance. And the Rays can afford a player or two. This is the time to pull the trigger.
Monday, June 17. Game 72: Can the Rays right the ship?
Rays 0, Yankees 3
Record: 43-29
Attendance: 39,042
In one of their most inept performances of the year, the Rays dropped the opening game of a three-city road trip, 3-0 to the Yankees. Masahiro Tanaka evened his record at 5-5 (3.23 ERA) with a complete game two-hit shutout with ten strikeouts. He was dominating, as he has been in all three of his wins against the Rays this season, 22 innings, 23 strikeouts, and only two runs given up, one earned.
The Rays are on the verge of self-doubt, the early stages of panic, having gone 3-5 in their last eight games and showing a troubling tendency to give up home runs that turn close games into losses. Monday's game turned on two homers, a two-run shot by D.J. LeMahieu in the third, and a solo blow from Rays-killer Cameron Maybin (3 for 3) in the fifth. Both were given up by Yonny Chirinos, whose record fell to 7-3, who pitched very well over six innings--except for the two home run balls.
It was galling to see Edwin Encarnacion with his 21 HRs and 49 RBIs debuting in New York (0 for 4) when he could so easily have been part of the Rays lineup. The Rays may yet find a way to right the ship, but Snell hasn't done it, Morton lost last time out, the staff is giving up home runs like lollipops at Halloween, base running is less an adventure than an embarrassment, and the defense has suddenly turned porous.
This is an especially difficult stretch of games running right through the All Star break, but it seems clear that the Rays need some new parts. They lost out on Nelson Cruz, Craig Kimbrel, Encarnacion, even D. J LeMahieu. but if they want to stay in the pennant race, they are going to have to give up some good prospects to fill roster needs--a power hitter, a closer, bullpen arms, and a traditional starter or two.
Tonight's game has a still-to-be-named opener followed by the one-time money-in-the-bank Bulk Man Ryan Yarbrough, against lefty J. A. Happ. Primary Rays pitching objective: keep the ball in the yard.
Record: 43-29
Attendance: 39,042
In one of their most inept performances of the year, the Rays dropped the opening game of a three-city road trip, 3-0 to the Yankees. Masahiro Tanaka evened his record at 5-5 (3.23 ERA) with a complete game two-hit shutout with ten strikeouts. He was dominating, as he has been in all three of his wins against the Rays this season, 22 innings, 23 strikeouts, and only two runs given up, one earned.
The Rays are on the verge of self-doubt, the early stages of panic, having gone 3-5 in their last eight games and showing a troubling tendency to give up home runs that turn close games into losses. Monday's game turned on two homers, a two-run shot by D.J. LeMahieu in the third, and a solo blow from Rays-killer Cameron Maybin (3 for 3) in the fifth. Both were given up by Yonny Chirinos, whose record fell to 7-3, who pitched very well over six innings--except for the two home run balls.
It was galling to see Edwin Encarnacion with his 21 HRs and 49 RBIs debuting in New York (0 for 4) when he could so easily have been part of the Rays lineup. The Rays may yet find a way to right the ship, but Snell hasn't done it, Morton lost last time out, the staff is giving up home runs like lollipops at Halloween, base running is less an adventure than an embarrassment, and the defense has suddenly turned porous.
This is an especially difficult stretch of games running right through the All Star break, but it seems clear that the Rays need some new parts. They lost out on Nelson Cruz, Craig Kimbrel, Encarnacion, even D. J LeMahieu. but if they want to stay in the pennant race, they are going to have to give up some good prospects to fill roster needs--a power hitter, a closer, bullpen arms, and a traditional starter or two.
Tonight's game has a still-to-be-named opener followed by the one-time money-in-the-bank Bulk Man Ryan Yarbrough, against lefty J. A. Happ. Primary Rays pitching objective: keep the ball in the yard.
Sunday. June 16. Game 71: Glad to be leaving home.
Rays 6, Angels 5
Record: 43-28 Half game out of first.
Attendance: 20,508 I don't know how many promotions were in play yesterday, but any attendance that tops 20 K is good, regardless.
Sunday's game, the last of the current homestand, boosted the Rays home record to 20-18. They'll be happy to get on the road Monday to begin a three-game set against the Yankees with their new DH Edwin Encarnacion, because they have the best road record in major league baseball, 23-10, just shy of .700. If they could figure out how to win that regularly at home, they'd run away with the AL East, regardless of who happens to be DHing for the Yankees.
Sunday's win, a hard fought contest that wasn't decided until Diego Castillo managed to get Kole Calhoun on a called third strike (that looked to be outside on replays) in the top of the ninth on a 3-2 count. He'd already given up a two-run homer to Mike Trout (19) three batters earlier and had a runner on second when he faced Calhoun. With Castillo's recent reputation as a closing disaster, this one ended up as a nail biter. Everyone in the building and at home had visions of another two-run homer that would have put the Rays down a run going into the bottom of the ninth. But it was a win, a home win at that, and the Rays take them any way they can get them.
Ryne Stanek and Jalen Beeks, the opener and bulker, gave up three runs in four innings, but Emilio Pagan, Colin Poche, who got his first major league win, and Adam Kolarek didn't give up any runs over the next four innings, which set the stage for Castillo, who gave up three hits and two runs. The box score, however, says merely that he earned his seventh save of the year.
In a related story, Jose Alvarado, who's been out somewhat mysteriously all month is officially back with the team, which assigned him to Port Charlotte to pitch himself back into game shape. Let's hope he gets back to his April game shape and not his May game shape. Officially he has lost four game and blown two others, his six saves coming primarily in the April early going.
Offensively the Rays managed nine hits, Yandy Diaz and Brandon Lowe continuing their hot hitting, including Lowe's 15th home run. Tommy Pham added his tenth homer and Kevin Kiermaier added his fifth triple. Then small ball took over, a sac fly, singles scoring runs, and a wild pitch adding another. They all counted and they were all needed
One hopeful sign is that Mike Zunino had a base hit. He's new this year to the Rays, but judging by his very slow start at the plate to start the season, and then his better hitting that followed, there may be hope for his slow start returning from the IL, his BA currently at .181, about 45 points lower than when he got hurt.
And today (Friday) the boys take on the Bronx Bombers. Hold on to your hats.
Record: 43-28 Half game out of first.
Attendance: 20,508 I don't know how many promotions were in play yesterday, but any attendance that tops 20 K is good, regardless.
Sunday's game, the last of the current homestand, boosted the Rays home record to 20-18. They'll be happy to get on the road Monday to begin a three-game set against the Yankees with their new DH Edwin Encarnacion, because they have the best road record in major league baseball, 23-10, just shy of .700. If they could figure out how to win that regularly at home, they'd run away with the AL East, regardless of who happens to be DHing for the Yankees.
Sunday's win, a hard fought contest that wasn't decided until Diego Castillo managed to get Kole Calhoun on a called third strike (that looked to be outside on replays) in the top of the ninth on a 3-2 count. He'd already given up a two-run homer to Mike Trout (19) three batters earlier and had a runner on second when he faced Calhoun. With Castillo's recent reputation as a closing disaster, this one ended up as a nail biter. Everyone in the building and at home had visions of another two-run homer that would have put the Rays down a run going into the bottom of the ninth. But it was a win, a home win at that, and the Rays take them any way they can get them.
Ryne Stanek and Jalen Beeks, the opener and bulker, gave up three runs in four innings, but Emilio Pagan, Colin Poche, who got his first major league win, and Adam Kolarek didn't give up any runs over the next four innings, which set the stage for Castillo, who gave up three hits and two runs. The box score, however, says merely that he earned his seventh save of the year.
In a related story, Jose Alvarado, who's been out somewhat mysteriously all month is officially back with the team, which assigned him to Port Charlotte to pitch himself back into game shape. Let's hope he gets back to his April game shape and not his May game shape. Officially he has lost four game and blown two others, his six saves coming primarily in the April early going.
Offensively the Rays managed nine hits, Yandy Diaz and Brandon Lowe continuing their hot hitting, including Lowe's 15th home run. Tommy Pham added his tenth homer and Kevin Kiermaier added his fifth triple. Then small ball took over, a sac fly, singles scoring runs, and a wild pitch adding another. They all counted and they were all needed
One hopeful sign is that Mike Zunino had a base hit. He's new this year to the Rays, but judging by his very slow start at the plate to start the season, and then his better hitting that followed, there may be hope for his slow start returning from the IL, his BA currently at .181, about 45 points lower than when he got hurt.
And today (Friday) the boys take on the Bronx Bombers. Hold on to your hats.
Saturday, June 15. Game 70: When things go wrong, they pick up speed.
Rays 3, Angels 5
Record: 42-28
Attendance: 22,320 The attendance has been swollen by a variety of promotions, so it turns out the fans will show up if you make it worth their while.
Yesterday's comments about the Rays maybe considering a trade for Edwin Encarnacion were right on target, except it was the New York Yankees who swept in to make their monster batting order even more formidable. And so instead of Encarnacion helping the Rays in a couple of critical ways, he will be playing for the hated Yankees and darkening the Rays' prospects.
And Charlie Morton didn't hold up his end of the superhero movie script. He lost a game. His first this year--his first in 22 starts according to Martin Fennelly in the Tampa Bay Times today. They did get a two-run home run from Yandy Diaz, his 11th, but it wasn't enough to dig themselves out of a 4-0 deficit Morton had put them in. They managed all of six hits all day. Morton, Adam Kolarek, and newly recalled Jake Faria struck out a grand total of 12 batters, but it didn't matter when the Angel offense struck quickly and decisively to put the game away early.
To make room for Faria and his triple A ERA of 5.17, the Rays optioned Daniel Robertson and his .205 BA over 176 plate appearances. It doesn't look on the surface that there can be much improvement with this move. Spinning wheels is more like it. Fans are waiting for something more dramatic. Maybe that would put more bodies in the seats than desperate promotions.
Today's finale against the Angels will pit opener Ryne Stanek and Bulkster Jalen Beeks against Griffin Canning (2-2)
Record: 42-28
Attendance: 22,320 The attendance has been swollen by a variety of promotions, so it turns out the fans will show up if you make it worth their while.
Yesterday's comments about the Rays maybe considering a trade for Edwin Encarnacion were right on target, except it was the New York Yankees who swept in to make their monster batting order even more formidable. And so instead of Encarnacion helping the Rays in a couple of critical ways, he will be playing for the hated Yankees and darkening the Rays' prospects.
And Charlie Morton didn't hold up his end of the superhero movie script. He lost a game. His first this year--his first in 22 starts according to Martin Fennelly in the Tampa Bay Times today. They did get a two-run home run from Yandy Diaz, his 11th, but it wasn't enough to dig themselves out of a 4-0 deficit Morton had put them in. They managed all of six hits all day. Morton, Adam Kolarek, and newly recalled Jake Faria struck out a grand total of 12 batters, but it didn't matter when the Angel offense struck quickly and decisively to put the game away early.
To make room for Faria and his triple A ERA of 5.17, the Rays optioned Daniel Robertson and his .205 BA over 176 plate appearances. It doesn't look on the surface that there can be much improvement with this move. Spinning wheels is more like it. Fans are waiting for something more dramatic. Maybe that would put more bodies in the seats than desperate promotions.
Today's finale against the Angels will pit opener Ryne Stanek and Bulkster Jalen Beeks against Griffin Canning (2-2)
Friday, June 14. Game 69: Better late than never
Rays 9, Angels 4
Record: 42-29
Attendance: 21,598 Yes, that's not a misprint! It was Pride Night as the Rays welcomed the LGBTQ community with rainbow banners on display, but who would have thought that was going to put so many bodies in the seats?
If you turned off the TV with the Angels ahead 4-0 in the top of the sixth, you missed one of the Rays all-time best comebacks, as unlikely as that might sound.
Austin Meadows, who had taken his previous 14 at-bats off, opened the sixth with a double. Then Yandy Diaz drove him in with a single. With no available Angel left-handers in the bullpen, Manager Kevin Cash went with a series of left-handed pinch hitters against the Angel righty relievers. Ji-Man Choi sent Diaz to third with a single. Then with two out, Kevin Kiermaier squeezed a slow grounder through the right side hole to score Diaz, 4-2 Angels. Avisail Garcia then singled in Choi and Kiermaier. 4-4. And then topping the inning off, Tommy Pham singled in pinch runner Travis d'Arnaud. Rays up, 5-4. The only extra base hit was Meadows' double, and four of the five runs were scored with two out. Don't tell me baseball is boring!
But the Rays weren't finished. In the bottom of the seventh, Choi hit a two-run homer, d'Arnaud drove home a run with a double, and Pham singled home the ninth run in two innings leaving the Angels staggered. and senseless as the referee counted them out.
Of course that wasn't the whole story. More important was the continuing struggles of Blake Snell (three and a third innings, 4 runs, 5 hits, 4 walks), who it seems clear by now will not regain the total pitching mastery that marked his 2018 season. At this point Cash has to be thinking about strategies (and perhaps trading deadline deals) to make up for the huge disappointment Snell has been so far. If the Rays are going to be a post-season factor, they are going to need better starting options, a dependable closing solution, and a power-hitting first baseman like Edwin Encarnacion.
Last winter when Encarnacion was traded from Cleveland to Seattle, there was wide speculation the Rays would trade for him as consolation prize for losing a bidding war with the Twins for Nelson Cruz. That didn't happen, it was said, because Encarnacion was not so highly valued by the Rays as Cruz. But Encarnacion has been having one of his best seasons (21 HRs, 49 RBIs,) for a team in last place, which should argue that the Mariners would let him go for a few youngsters who are still a year or two away. It would be a shame to waste this very fine team's 2019 season for want of an ingredient or two that could be addressed and fixed in June.
For today, however, we have Charlie Morton on the mound to keep the momentum from last night.
Record: 42-29
Attendance: 21,598 Yes, that's not a misprint! It was Pride Night as the Rays welcomed the LGBTQ community with rainbow banners on display, but who would have thought that was going to put so many bodies in the seats?
If you turned off the TV with the Angels ahead 4-0 in the top of the sixth, you missed one of the Rays all-time best comebacks, as unlikely as that might sound.
Austin Meadows, who had taken his previous 14 at-bats off, opened the sixth with a double. Then Yandy Diaz drove him in with a single. With no available Angel left-handers in the bullpen, Manager Kevin Cash went with a series of left-handed pinch hitters against the Angel righty relievers. Ji-Man Choi sent Diaz to third with a single. Then with two out, Kevin Kiermaier squeezed a slow grounder through the right side hole to score Diaz, 4-2 Angels. Avisail Garcia then singled in Choi and Kiermaier. 4-4. And then topping the inning off, Tommy Pham singled in pinch runner Travis d'Arnaud. Rays up, 5-4. The only extra base hit was Meadows' double, and four of the five runs were scored with two out. Don't tell me baseball is boring!
But the Rays weren't finished. In the bottom of the seventh, Choi hit a two-run homer, d'Arnaud drove home a run with a double, and Pham singled home the ninth run in two innings leaving the Angels staggered. and senseless as the referee counted them out.
Of course that wasn't the whole story. More important was the continuing struggles of Blake Snell (three and a third innings, 4 runs, 5 hits, 4 walks), who it seems clear by now will not regain the total pitching mastery that marked his 2018 season. At this point Cash has to be thinking about strategies (and perhaps trading deadline deals) to make up for the huge disappointment Snell has been so far. If the Rays are going to be a post-season factor, they are going to need better starting options, a dependable closing solution, and a power-hitting first baseman like Edwin Encarnacion.
Last winter when Encarnacion was traded from Cleveland to Seattle, there was wide speculation the Rays would trade for him as consolation prize for losing a bidding war with the Twins for Nelson Cruz. That didn't happen, it was said, because Encarnacion was not so highly valued by the Rays as Cruz. But Encarnacion has been having one of his best seasons (21 HRs, 49 RBIs,) for a team in last place, which should argue that the Mariners would let him go for a few youngsters who are still a year or two away. It would be a shame to waste this very fine team's 2019 season for want of an ingredient or two that could be addressed and fixed in June.
For today, however, we have Charlie Morton on the mound to keep the momentum from last night.
Thursday, June 13. Game 68: Homers, homers, homers--a 3 game slump
Rays 3, Angels 5
Record: 41-27
Attendance: 15,291 Another semi-healthy attendance, no doubt due to the flash sale this week of $5 seats. Still, it's good to see people in the seats.
Okay, the Rays have lost three in a row, probably serious enough to call it an official "tailspin," but something else is going on too. They've lost all three on home runs. Tuesday they gave up back to back homers in the sixth. Wednesday they lost on an eighth inning Grand Slam. And last night they lost on a three-run homer by Shohei Ohtani in the first and a two-run homer in the fifth by 39-year-old Albert Pujols.
They were historic homers at that. Ohtani managed to hit for the cycle, a feat so rare that it happens about as often as no-hitters--and this was only the third time anyone's done it at the Trop in the Rays' 22-year history. For Pujols, this was homer number 200 in the American League to go with his 465 homers in the National League, another rare statistical occurrence. But it's the sort of credential one expects from a sure fire Hall of Famer.
The Rays did manage a three-run rally in the bottom of the fifth, but they were shut down before and after. The homer culprit in this game was Ryne Yarbrough, whose home ERA is a bloated 7.31, as opposed to his Away ERA 3.15. Hunter Wood and Chaz Roe (who did not walk anyone, praise the Lord) pitched a clean 7th, 8th, and 9th. But the damage was done, despite the Rays' hit advantage, 10-6, ANC (Absolutely No Consolation).
Along the way to their third straight loss, there were a couple of odd developments, like a half-hour blackout, just about matching in duration the blackout of May 12 against the Yankees, another game they lost late.
Travis d'Arnaud (0-4) played first to get his bat in the lineup, except that he's hitting .186, that's six points higher that Mike Zunino (1-3). It's hard to imagine why we needed two under .200 hitting catchers in the lineup.
Joey Wendle did not play last night, but he is expected tonight. Christian Arroyo, who had been slated for Durham was put on the IL instead with right forearm tendinitis.
I wonder if 36-year-old Edwin Encarnacion is available from Seattle? He's batting .241 with 21 homers, 49 RBIs, and 48 runs scored. Seattle is dead last in the AL West and could use some young talent--and he might be just what the Rays need to stabilize the first base situation with power to spare--and to push them over the top in the pennant race. Travis d'Arnaud at first? Brandon Lowe? Yandy Diaz? Ji-Man Choi is the best of the bunch, but he looks like a trained elephant out there.
And as long as they're taking trainees at first, why not the tall and rangy, lefty power-hitting Austin Meadows? He actually fits the profile for 1B. And he could be around for many years to come.
Tonight Blake Snell takes the mound. Let's hope he's the slump stopper.
Record: 41-27
Attendance: 15,291 Another semi-healthy attendance, no doubt due to the flash sale this week of $5 seats. Still, it's good to see people in the seats.
Okay, the Rays have lost three in a row, probably serious enough to call it an official "tailspin," but something else is going on too. They've lost all three on home runs. Tuesday they gave up back to back homers in the sixth. Wednesday they lost on an eighth inning Grand Slam. And last night they lost on a three-run homer by Shohei Ohtani in the first and a two-run homer in the fifth by 39-year-old Albert Pujols.
They were historic homers at that. Ohtani managed to hit for the cycle, a feat so rare that it happens about as often as no-hitters--and this was only the third time anyone's done it at the Trop in the Rays' 22-year history. For Pujols, this was homer number 200 in the American League to go with his 465 homers in the National League, another rare statistical occurrence. But it's the sort of credential one expects from a sure fire Hall of Famer.
The Rays did manage a three-run rally in the bottom of the fifth, but they were shut down before and after. The homer culprit in this game was Ryne Yarbrough, whose home ERA is a bloated 7.31, as opposed to his Away ERA 3.15. Hunter Wood and Chaz Roe (who did not walk anyone, praise the Lord) pitched a clean 7th, 8th, and 9th. But the damage was done, despite the Rays' hit advantage, 10-6, ANC (Absolutely No Consolation).
Along the way to their third straight loss, there were a couple of odd developments, like a half-hour blackout, just about matching in duration the blackout of May 12 against the Yankees, another game they lost late.
Travis d'Arnaud (0-4) played first to get his bat in the lineup, except that he's hitting .186, that's six points higher that Mike Zunino (1-3). It's hard to imagine why we needed two under .200 hitting catchers in the lineup.
Joey Wendle did not play last night, but he is expected tonight. Christian Arroyo, who had been slated for Durham was put on the IL instead with right forearm tendinitis.
I wonder if 36-year-old Edwin Encarnacion is available from Seattle? He's batting .241 with 21 homers, 49 RBIs, and 48 runs scored. Seattle is dead last in the AL West and could use some young talent--and he might be just what the Rays need to stabilize the first base situation with power to spare--and to push them over the top in the pennant race. Travis d'Arnaud at first? Brandon Lowe? Yandy Diaz? Ji-Man Choi is the best of the bunch, but he looks like a trained elephant out there.
And as long as they're taking trainees at first, why not the tall and rangy, lefty power-hitting Austin Meadows? He actually fits the profile for 1B. And he could be around for many years to come.
Tonight Blake Snell takes the mound. Let's hope he's the slump stopper.
Wednesday, June 12. Game 67: Is this officially a tailspin?
Rays 2, Athletics 6
Record: 41-26
Attendance: 17,946 Mighty good number for a Wednesday in June at the Trop.
Two things about the A's came to mind after they took the rubber match 6-2 from the Rays last night. First the A's were one point lower than .600 last year when their record was 97-65. And although they are currently hovering around the .500 mark, this is clearly a talented team the Rays didn't take seriously enough. Second their manager Bob Melvin was the AL Manager of the Year in 2018--and two other years before that. He's a very talented baseball man.
Two things about the Rays came to mind too. First they opened the series against the A's after dominating the Red Sox in Fenway Park three games to one. They came home on a roll and thought they would dismantle Melvin's A's with one hand tied behind their backs. Second, even though their record is 41-26 (.612), their home and away records are far different, 23-10 on the road, but only 18-16 at the Trop. For some reason (lack of screaming fans?) they tank almost as many times as they succeed at home.
But just like Tuesday's game, last night could easily have been a win. Starter Yonny Chirinos pitched well for six innings (two runs, seven hits, one walk, and seven Ks). Ryne Stanek pitched a good seventh, but things began to fall apart when Adam Kolarek faced one batter (who singled)--and took the loss. Chaz Roe came in and walked one batter, wild-pitched the runners to second and third, and intentionally walked the next batter. And then with the bases loaded, Manager Kevin Cash brought in the truly untested lefty Colin Poche to face the hot-hitting righty-swinging Ramon Laureano, who put a 2-2 pitch over the wall in left field for a Grand Slam. The Rays outhit the A's 12-9. Put that under the category Absolutely No Consolation (ANC).
In retrospect, Cash commented after the game that "putting a young pitcher in that position is not ideal." At the time he must have felt the gamble was worth it, that his young pitcher could get the job done. Wrong on both counts.
And tonight the Los Angeles Angels (33-35) are in town.
Christian Arroyo was sent to Durham to make room for Joey Wendle, who is likely to play either third or shortstop tonight.
Willy Adames continues to make bad plays in the field and on the bases, and he hits erratically with low power numbers, but he brings enormous enthusiasm and genuine promise for better things in the future. The problem is that this season cannot be written off because Adames will be better next year. Give the SS job to Wendle or Daniel Robertson while Adames comes off the bench for limited action as needed.
And when do the Rays give up on Chaz Roe and his bases on balls?
Record: 41-26
Attendance: 17,946 Mighty good number for a Wednesday in June at the Trop.
Two things about the A's came to mind after they took the rubber match 6-2 from the Rays last night. First the A's were one point lower than .600 last year when their record was 97-65. And although they are currently hovering around the .500 mark, this is clearly a talented team the Rays didn't take seriously enough. Second their manager Bob Melvin was the AL Manager of the Year in 2018--and two other years before that. He's a very talented baseball man.
Two things about the Rays came to mind too. First they opened the series against the A's after dominating the Red Sox in Fenway Park three games to one. They came home on a roll and thought they would dismantle Melvin's A's with one hand tied behind their backs. Second, even though their record is 41-26 (.612), their home and away records are far different, 23-10 on the road, but only 18-16 at the Trop. For some reason (lack of screaming fans?) they tank almost as many times as they succeed at home.
But just like Tuesday's game, last night could easily have been a win. Starter Yonny Chirinos pitched well for six innings (two runs, seven hits, one walk, and seven Ks). Ryne Stanek pitched a good seventh, but things began to fall apart when Adam Kolarek faced one batter (who singled)--and took the loss. Chaz Roe came in and walked one batter, wild-pitched the runners to second and third, and intentionally walked the next batter. And then with the bases loaded, Manager Kevin Cash brought in the truly untested lefty Colin Poche to face the hot-hitting righty-swinging Ramon Laureano, who put a 2-2 pitch over the wall in left field for a Grand Slam. The Rays outhit the A's 12-9. Put that under the category Absolutely No Consolation (ANC).
In retrospect, Cash commented after the game that "putting a young pitcher in that position is not ideal." At the time he must have felt the gamble was worth it, that his young pitcher could get the job done. Wrong on both counts.
And tonight the Los Angeles Angels (33-35) are in town.
Christian Arroyo was sent to Durham to make room for Joey Wendle, who is likely to play either third or shortstop tonight.
Willy Adames continues to make bad plays in the field and on the bases, and he hits erratically with low power numbers, but he brings enormous enthusiasm and genuine promise for better things in the future. The problem is that this season cannot be written off because Adames will be better next year. Give the SS job to Wendle or Daniel Robertson while Adames comes off the bench for limited action as needed.
And when do the Rays give up on Chaz Roe and his bases on balls?
Tuesday, June 11. Game 66: Rays take the night off and almost win anyway
Rays 3, Athletics 4
Record: 41-25
Attendance: 11,132 Without the free tickets to military, first responders, and teachers, attendance is back to normal.
It started promising enough. Tommy Pham hammered a 458-foot home run to put the Rays up 1-0 in the first inning. Then in the fourth, Willy Adames broke for home when Kevin Kiermaier broke for second, a delayed double steal of home. Notch up another run, 2-0 Rays after four. Willy also singled a run home in the ninth. But by then it was too late.
It was the top of the sixth, and Willy was in the middle of it again, but not in a good way. With one out he had a routine grounder that he fielded and then choked on the throw that he bounced to first. Mike Zunino's passed ball in the fifth had led to the first A's run, and now suddenly with a man on first who should not have been there and only one out instead of two, Emilio Pagan served up a couple back-to-back meatballs to Matt Olson and Khris Davis. Game over. It looked for a second a rally might be building in the ninth, but after Adames's RBI single, it fizzled, and the Rays were left scratching their heads trying to figure out how they screwed this one up.
It really isn't all that hard to add up. They managed only four hits all night. Add a lapse or two on defense, and a couple of pitches from the normally dependable Pagan and there you have it.
Maybe Joey Wendle's hustle will add a little fire and a few hits to the Rays' attack. He is expected back this week. He's been playing shortstop at Durham. Christian Arroyo and Daniel Robertson are hovering at the .200 mark and either one could be a candidate for the Durham shuttle.
Travis d'Arnaud's improved hitting this last couple of weeks marks a contrast with Mike Zunino whose average has shrunk to .176, a bad memory of his very slow start to the season that he eventually turned around before his long stint on the IL. And now he's back to his former self.. d'Arnaud has been taking grounders and throws at first, which makes you wonder exactly how many backup first basemen they need?
The game did waste good pitching from opener Stanek, Bulkman Beeks, holder Drake, and semi-closer Diego Castillo, who did give up a couple of hits in the top of the ninth before escaping unscathed. But Castillo has become the wildcard at the back end of the bullpen. You've got to hold your breath every time he throws a pitch. And Jose Alvarado was just as undependable until he went missing on a mysterious family matter going on two weeks ago. At least he's not blowing games.
Wednesday night the Rays have Yonny Chirinos starting another game after being brilliant over eight innings against Boston last Friday. The Rays continue to insist however that he is not a starter, just a Bulk Man who gets an occasional start. It must make sense to them.
Record: 41-25
Attendance: 11,132 Without the free tickets to military, first responders, and teachers, attendance is back to normal.
It started promising enough. Tommy Pham hammered a 458-foot home run to put the Rays up 1-0 in the first inning. Then in the fourth, Willy Adames broke for home when Kevin Kiermaier broke for second, a delayed double steal of home. Notch up another run, 2-0 Rays after four. Willy also singled a run home in the ninth. But by then it was too late.
It was the top of the sixth, and Willy was in the middle of it again, but not in a good way. With one out he had a routine grounder that he fielded and then choked on the throw that he bounced to first. Mike Zunino's passed ball in the fifth had led to the first A's run, and now suddenly with a man on first who should not have been there and only one out instead of two, Emilio Pagan served up a couple back-to-back meatballs to Matt Olson and Khris Davis. Game over. It looked for a second a rally might be building in the ninth, but after Adames's RBI single, it fizzled, and the Rays were left scratching their heads trying to figure out how they screwed this one up.
It really isn't all that hard to add up. They managed only four hits all night. Add a lapse or two on defense, and a couple of pitches from the normally dependable Pagan and there you have it.
Maybe Joey Wendle's hustle will add a little fire and a few hits to the Rays' attack. He is expected back this week. He's been playing shortstop at Durham. Christian Arroyo and Daniel Robertson are hovering at the .200 mark and either one could be a candidate for the Durham shuttle.
Travis d'Arnaud's improved hitting this last couple of weeks marks a contrast with Mike Zunino whose average has shrunk to .176, a bad memory of his very slow start to the season that he eventually turned around before his long stint on the IL. And now he's back to his former self.. d'Arnaud has been taking grounders and throws at first, which makes you wonder exactly how many backup first basemen they need?
The game did waste good pitching from opener Stanek, Bulkman Beeks, holder Drake, and semi-closer Diego Castillo, who did give up a couple of hits in the top of the ninth before escaping unscathed. But Castillo has become the wildcard at the back end of the bullpen. You've got to hold your breath every time he throws a pitch. And Jose Alvarado was just as undependable until he went missing on a mysterious family matter going on two weeks ago. At least he's not blowing games.
Wednesday night the Rays have Yonny Chirinos starting another game after being brilliant over eight innings against Boston last Friday. The Rays continue to insist however that he is not a starter, just a Bulk Man who gets an occasional start. It must make sense to them.
Monday, June 10. Game 65: Morton stabilizes the staff, dominates the A's
Rays 6, Athletics 2
Record: 41-24
Attendance: 16,091 The number is swollen by a $5.00 per ticket flash sale last week and by a free ticket giveaway to teachers, EMTs, and soldiers. Still, it was a noticeably larger crowd that invigorated the home team. Maybe this is the turning point of attendance and fans will begin turning out in greater numbers. It is air conditioned!
Last night's 6-2 win over the Athletics pushed the Rays into first place, half a game ahead of the Yankees who were rained out. It also pushed them 17 games over .500, their best winning percentage .631 of the season. It also raised Charlie Morton's record to 8-0 and lowered is ERA to 2.10. (Going back to last August, he is unbeaten in his last 21 starts.) And there were three two-run homers to back him up, from Brandon Lowe, Kevin Kiermaier, and a suddenly hot Ji-Man Choi, whose average is up to .287 to go along with his seven home runs and 25 RBIs. Throw in some defensive magic from Kiermaier (which is almost routine) and Tommy Pham and you have the raw ingredients for a fine if unspectacular victory against a .500 club.
If this victory can be put aside as a proper outcome from a superior team, it's good to keep in mind how a loss would have been devastating. Take no game for granted, and let's see where this all ends up when September comes and the games all take on a new playoff significance. I can hardly wait. Baseball is one sweet game.
Injury updates.
First, Brent Honeywell, the pitching prospect with the huge upside even with his slow recovery from Tommy John surgery, fractured a bone in his pitching arm which puts him out of the 2019 picture completely. He may be able to start baseball activities in January, which may put the 2020 season in play for him. He is still young (24) and with patience and no further setbacks, he may yet be the pitcher the Rays thought he would develop into.
Second, Joey Wendle (fractured right wrist) may be on schedule to rejoin the team this week. He will be an immediate upgrade to struggling Daniel Robertson.
Third, Taylor Glasnow (strained forearm) shows continued improvement and is expected back soon after the All-Star break, July 8-11.
Fourth, Catcher Michael Perez has recovered from his oblique injury, but had to be assigned to triple A Durham because the Rays have been so impressed with his emergency replacement, Travis d'Arnaud, who has 18 games under his belt, 54 at-bats. He started slowly but on the just-finished road trip, he raised his average to .259, added three home runs, and put together a total of 11 RBIs. "We have to recognize what Travis has done," Manager Kevin Cash said. "He's done a really good job behind the plate. The bat has certainly come to life here over the last week or so. And we want to kind of see this play out a little bit more."
Tonight the Rays will open with Ryne Stanek and follow him up with Bulkster Jalen Beeks (5-0, 2.78). They will face Mike Fiers, who threw a no-hitter on May 7 against the Reds and is 3-0, 2.79 over his last six starts. This should be a good one.
Record: 41-24
Attendance: 16,091 The number is swollen by a $5.00 per ticket flash sale last week and by a free ticket giveaway to teachers, EMTs, and soldiers. Still, it was a noticeably larger crowd that invigorated the home team. Maybe this is the turning point of attendance and fans will begin turning out in greater numbers. It is air conditioned!
Last night's 6-2 win over the Athletics pushed the Rays into first place, half a game ahead of the Yankees who were rained out. It also pushed them 17 games over .500, their best winning percentage .631 of the season. It also raised Charlie Morton's record to 8-0 and lowered is ERA to 2.10. (Going back to last August, he is unbeaten in his last 21 starts.) And there were three two-run homers to back him up, from Brandon Lowe, Kevin Kiermaier, and a suddenly hot Ji-Man Choi, whose average is up to .287 to go along with his seven home runs and 25 RBIs. Throw in some defensive magic from Kiermaier (which is almost routine) and Tommy Pham and you have the raw ingredients for a fine if unspectacular victory against a .500 club.
If this victory can be put aside as a proper outcome from a superior team, it's good to keep in mind how a loss would have been devastating. Take no game for granted, and let's see where this all ends up when September comes and the games all take on a new playoff significance. I can hardly wait. Baseball is one sweet game.
Injury updates.
First, Brent Honeywell, the pitching prospect with the huge upside even with his slow recovery from Tommy John surgery, fractured a bone in his pitching arm which puts him out of the 2019 picture completely. He may be able to start baseball activities in January, which may put the 2020 season in play for him. He is still young (24) and with patience and no further setbacks, he may yet be the pitcher the Rays thought he would develop into.
Second, Joey Wendle (fractured right wrist) may be on schedule to rejoin the team this week. He will be an immediate upgrade to struggling Daniel Robertson.
Third, Taylor Glasnow (strained forearm) shows continued improvement and is expected back soon after the All-Star break, July 8-11.
Fourth, Catcher Michael Perez has recovered from his oblique injury, but had to be assigned to triple A Durham because the Rays have been so impressed with his emergency replacement, Travis d'Arnaud, who has 18 games under his belt, 54 at-bats. He started slowly but on the just-finished road trip, he raised his average to .259, added three home runs, and put together a total of 11 RBIs. "We have to recognize what Travis has done," Manager Kevin Cash said. "He's done a really good job behind the plate. The bat has certainly come to life here over the last week or so. And we want to kind of see this play out a little bit more."
Tonight the Rays will open with Ryne Stanek and follow him up with Bulkster Jalen Beeks (5-0, 2.78). They will face Mike Fiers, who threw a no-hitter on May 7 against the Reds and is 3-0, 2.79 over his last six starts. This should be a good one.
Sunday, June 9. Game 64: First place tie, statement win
Rays 6, Red Sox 1
Record: 40-24
Attendance: 34,643
Blake Snell got run support for a change and rode four Ray home runs and an early lead to his fourth win of the year, 6-1. His record now stands at 4-5, 3.50, but it wasn't quite as easy as it seems in the morning-after wrap-up. For one thing, he served up 105 pitches in his six innings of work and had to pitch his way out of trouble in the first and second innings, though he gave up only one run. Overall he surrendered only five hits and one walk while striking out seven. And he had to hope the bullpen, which has been so good of late, could hold the 4-1 lead when he left after six. It did.
Thirty-two-year-old Oliver Drake, another one of the Rays' front office pickups no one ever heard of, showed why he got signed and promoted to the big team so quickly. He pitched two solid scoreless innings despite giving up a pair of hits and a walk, dropping his ERA to 0.96. Adam Kolarek pitched the ninth--and suddenly the Tampa Bay Rays ended a 45-hour, four-game trial by fire with the Boston Red Sox in a tie for first with the New York Yankees.
The offense in this finale against the Red Sox was up to the job this afternoon banging out 14 hits in all (Yandy Diaz went 4 for 5), including four home runs. Two of the homers were hit by Diaz and Guillermo Heredia, nice to watch and important for the scoreboard, but the two launched by Brandon Lowe in the sixth and seventh innings were majestic towering balls into the deepest parts of center field, the first traveling 455 feet and the second 435. He now has 13 and leads the team. But the Red Sox had to be amazed to see the skinny 5-10, 185-pound second baseman pound not one but two balls into areas of Fenway Park that rarely see home runs.
Boston manager Alex Cora was quoted after the game in the Boston Globe: "They're a good team. They can pitch; they can play defense. I've been saying it all along, that's a complete team."
The 2019 edition of the Rays has weaknesses: base-running is an obvious example, inexplicable tailspins is another, a spooky inability to keep catchers healthy might be another, and the undependable work of Jose Alvarado and Diego Castillo as closers is yet another. And they lost maybe their best pitcher Tyler Glasnow to an arm injury. To make matters worse, the perpetual attendance problem had an on-field impact this week when free agent All-Star closer Craig Kimbrel, chose the Cubs over the Rays because the Cubs fill the house night after night.
But no matter what hardships, injuries, and obstacles have come up, the Tampa Bay Rays after 64 games in the 2019 season are in a tie for first place in the American League East. This is starting to get interesting.
Record: 40-24
Attendance: 34,643
Blake Snell got run support for a change and rode four Ray home runs and an early lead to his fourth win of the year, 6-1. His record now stands at 4-5, 3.50, but it wasn't quite as easy as it seems in the morning-after wrap-up. For one thing, he served up 105 pitches in his six innings of work and had to pitch his way out of trouble in the first and second innings, though he gave up only one run. Overall he surrendered only five hits and one walk while striking out seven. And he had to hope the bullpen, which has been so good of late, could hold the 4-1 lead when he left after six. It did.
Thirty-two-year-old Oliver Drake, another one of the Rays' front office pickups no one ever heard of, showed why he got signed and promoted to the big team so quickly. He pitched two solid scoreless innings despite giving up a pair of hits and a walk, dropping his ERA to 0.96. Adam Kolarek pitched the ninth--and suddenly the Tampa Bay Rays ended a 45-hour, four-game trial by fire with the Boston Red Sox in a tie for first with the New York Yankees.
The offense in this finale against the Red Sox was up to the job this afternoon banging out 14 hits in all (Yandy Diaz went 4 for 5), including four home runs. Two of the homers were hit by Diaz and Guillermo Heredia, nice to watch and important for the scoreboard, but the two launched by Brandon Lowe in the sixth and seventh innings were majestic towering balls into the deepest parts of center field, the first traveling 455 feet and the second 435. He now has 13 and leads the team. But the Red Sox had to be amazed to see the skinny 5-10, 185-pound second baseman pound not one but two balls into areas of Fenway Park that rarely see home runs.
Boston manager Alex Cora was quoted after the game in the Boston Globe: "They're a good team. They can pitch; they can play defense. I've been saying it all along, that's a complete team."
The 2019 edition of the Rays has weaknesses: base-running is an obvious example, inexplicable tailspins is another, a spooky inability to keep catchers healthy might be another, and the undependable work of Jose Alvarado and Diego Castillo as closers is yet another. And they lost maybe their best pitcher Tyler Glasnow to an arm injury. To make matters worse, the perpetual attendance problem had an on-field impact this week when free agent All-Star closer Craig Kimbrel, chose the Cubs over the Rays because the Cubs fill the house night after night.
But no matter what hardships, injuries, and obstacles have come up, the Tampa Bay Rays after 64 games in the 2019 season are in a tie for first place in the American League East. This is starting to get interesting.
Saturday, June 8. Day-night double header. Game 63 (night): Lackluster loss
Rays 1, Red Sox 5
Record: 39-24
Attendance: 37,048
The Rays' loss in the nightcap of today's day-night doubleheader against the Red Sox makes sense when you consider three things. First, they were facing David Price (4-2, 2.70, 10 Ks); second, they had five players who played both games, and third, they were out of pitching miracles. Ryne Stanek was the opener, but he was replaced by a new lefty reliever, Colin Poche, who had to walk a mile to Fenway when his Uber ride got caught up in Boston traffic. Poche struck out three in his one and a third innings, but gave up a couple of hits that turned into runs when Austin Pruitt's first pitch hung out over the plate and got hammered by Michael Chavis off the Green Monster. Pruitt was responsible for the loss, but Poche got the L in his first major league appearance.
It was a low energy game that seemed to be played in slow motion at times. Neither team could do better than six hits on the night. The Rays were 1 for 10 with runners in scoring position, the Red Sox one tick better at 2 for 10. The Rays struck out 14 times and the Red Sox 10; the Rays left 15 men on base and the Red Sox 17. The difference was Price, who dominated in his 103-pitch six innings. And the Rays were out of pitching miracles.
And so at the end of the day, the Rays were sitting in a tie for first place with the Yankees in the American League East. Today's finale, sees Blake Snell (3-5, 3.68) try once again to straighten out his 2019 woes. Just think how good this team would be if and when he turns into the dominating Cy Young pitcher of 2018. The mind boggles at the possibilities.
Record: 39-24
Attendance: 37,048
The Rays' loss in the nightcap of today's day-night doubleheader against the Red Sox makes sense when you consider three things. First, they were facing David Price (4-2, 2.70, 10 Ks); second, they had five players who played both games, and third, they were out of pitching miracles. Ryne Stanek was the opener, but he was replaced by a new lefty reliever, Colin Poche, who had to walk a mile to Fenway when his Uber ride got caught up in Boston traffic. Poche struck out three in his one and a third innings, but gave up a couple of hits that turned into runs when Austin Pruitt's first pitch hung out over the plate and got hammered by Michael Chavis off the Green Monster. Pruitt was responsible for the loss, but Poche got the L in his first major league appearance.
It was a low energy game that seemed to be played in slow motion at times. Neither team could do better than six hits on the night. The Rays were 1 for 10 with runners in scoring position, the Red Sox one tick better at 2 for 10. The Rays struck out 14 times and the Red Sox 10; the Rays left 15 men on base and the Red Sox 17. The difference was Price, who dominated in his 103-pitch six innings. And the Rays were out of pitching miracles.
And so at the end of the day, the Rays were sitting in a tie for first place with the Yankees in the American League East. Today's finale, sees Blake Snell (3-5, 3.68) try once again to straighten out his 2019 woes. Just think how good this team would be if and when he turns into the dominating Cy Young pitcher of 2018. The mind boggles at the possibilities.
Saturday, June 8. Day-night double header. Game 62 (day): Yarbrough throws a gem
Rays 9, Red Sox 2
Record: 39-23
Attendance: 35,564
Ryan Yarbrough (5-2) pitched a brilliant seven and two-thirds innings in the first game of a day-night doubleheader against the Red Sox, giving up only two runs (one earned) on four hits with no walks and seven strikeouts over 110 pitches. Emilio Pagan and Casey Sadler finished it up. The performance extended Rays' recent pitching dominance, only three runs allowed (one unearned) over the last 28 innings.
Yarbrough's gem was on his fourth appearance since his recall from triple A Durham where he'd been demoted to find his 2018 form. The first two of the four went well, but last Sunday's outing against the Twins was a disaster, so going into this game against the heavy-hitting Red Sox at Fenway was hardly a slam dunk. After the game, a relieved Manager Kevin Cash was quoted in the Tampa Bay Times as saying that "Yarbs was outstanding."
Offensively the Rays hammered out 13 hits with everyone but Avisail Garcia (0-5) getting on the hit bandwagon. The only longball came from Travis d'Arnaud, who hit one 407 feet over the Green Monster in the second inning with two on and two out. Carrying a 5-2 lead into the ninth, the Rays put the game away with singles and a bunt that added up to four add-on runs.
The win put the Rays 16 games over .500 again. More important, with the Yankee loss in Cleveland, the Rays were guaranteed, even if they lose the second game of the doubleheader, a tie for first at the end of the day. Finally, they guaranteed themselves at least a tie in the series against Boston, very welcome as a result of a scheduling nightmare that had them play four games in Fenway in 45 hours. Sunday's finale begins at 1:05. The team returns home to the Trop for a three-game set against the Oakland A's beginning Monday.
Record: 39-23
Attendance: 35,564
Ryan Yarbrough (5-2) pitched a brilliant seven and two-thirds innings in the first game of a day-night doubleheader against the Red Sox, giving up only two runs (one earned) on four hits with no walks and seven strikeouts over 110 pitches. Emilio Pagan and Casey Sadler finished it up. The performance extended Rays' recent pitching dominance, only three runs allowed (one unearned) over the last 28 innings.
Yarbrough's gem was on his fourth appearance since his recall from triple A Durham where he'd been demoted to find his 2018 form. The first two of the four went well, but last Sunday's outing against the Twins was a disaster, so going into this game against the heavy-hitting Red Sox at Fenway was hardly a slam dunk. After the game, a relieved Manager Kevin Cash was quoted in the Tampa Bay Times as saying that "Yarbs was outstanding."
Offensively the Rays hammered out 13 hits with everyone but Avisail Garcia (0-5) getting on the hit bandwagon. The only longball came from Travis d'Arnaud, who hit one 407 feet over the Green Monster in the second inning with two on and two out. Carrying a 5-2 lead into the ninth, the Rays put the game away with singles and a bunt that added up to four add-on runs.
The win put the Rays 16 games over .500 again. More important, with the Yankee loss in Cleveland, the Rays were guaranteed, even if they lose the second game of the doubleheader, a tie for first at the end of the day. Finally, they guaranteed themselves at least a tie in the series against Boston, very welcome as a result of a scheduling nightmare that had them play four games in Fenway in 45 hours. Sunday's finale begins at 1:05. The team returns home to the Trop for a three-game set against the Oakland A's beginning Monday.
Friday, June 7. Game 61: Yonny Chirinos brilliant for 8 as Rays beat Bosox
Rays 5, Red Sox 1
Record: 38-23
Attendance: 36,803
The Rays' win tonight was critically important, but before the happy recap, one last word about Craig Kimbrel, whose free agency ended yesterday when he agreed to a $43 million deal with the Cubs over a very competitive offer from the Rays.
Kimbrel was quoted in the morning Tampa Bay Times that the Rays' low attendance was a key factor in his decision: "One things that's important to me . . . is being able to play in front of a fan base that is as passionate about the game as I am." He said he had experienced that in Boston and didn't want to give it up. "I'm a very adrenaline-based player. And knowing that each and every night, that the seats are going to be full, that definitely played a huge part in this decision."
Just as a reminder, the Rays' average attendance is 13,802, and on the just-finished homestand they drew the lowest crowds in franchise history, 5,786 and 6,166, both against the Blue Jays. It isn't any wonder Kimbrel picked the Cubs over the Rays, and it wouldn't be at all surprising if power-hitting Nelson Cruz didn't use the same thinking when he picked the Twins over the Rays last winter.
It's pointless to urge people to attend games they don't want to come to, but it's important to recognize the consequences. We are losing free agent players, and it won't be long now before we lose the team. Who could blame Rays' management if they left for a city that will turn out big crowds night after night?
As depressing as that line of thinking is, the game played tonight against the Red Sox was an exhilarating example of what the 2019 version of the Tampa Bay Rays can be. Yonny Chirinos, the starter tonight, not the Bulk Man, threw a brilliant eight innings against the potent Red Sox lineup. He was perfect through five (for the second time this season) and ended up giving up only two hits and two walks and no runs through 101 pitches. Emilio Pagan pitched the ninth and gave up a pair of doubles that ruined the shutout, but Rays dominance was clear from the get go.
Ji-Man Choi drew first blood with a second-inning homer, but it was Kevin Kiermaier (3 for 4 on the night), who was the offensive star. In the fourth he drove in two runs with a single to right then in the sixth he homered to open the lead to 5-0.
Tomorrow is a day-night double header. Manager Kevin Cash has announced Ryan Yarbrough with his 6.23 ERA will be the first game starter, but as yet he has not named a pitcher for the second game to face ex-Ray David Price (3-2, 2.83).
Record: 38-23
Attendance: 36,803
The Rays' win tonight was critically important, but before the happy recap, one last word about Craig Kimbrel, whose free agency ended yesterday when he agreed to a $43 million deal with the Cubs over a very competitive offer from the Rays.
Kimbrel was quoted in the morning Tampa Bay Times that the Rays' low attendance was a key factor in his decision: "One things that's important to me . . . is being able to play in front of a fan base that is as passionate about the game as I am." He said he had experienced that in Boston and didn't want to give it up. "I'm a very adrenaline-based player. And knowing that each and every night, that the seats are going to be full, that definitely played a huge part in this decision."
Just as a reminder, the Rays' average attendance is 13,802, and on the just-finished homestand they drew the lowest crowds in franchise history, 5,786 and 6,166, both against the Blue Jays. It isn't any wonder Kimbrel picked the Cubs over the Rays, and it wouldn't be at all surprising if power-hitting Nelson Cruz didn't use the same thinking when he picked the Twins over the Rays last winter.
It's pointless to urge people to attend games they don't want to come to, but it's important to recognize the consequences. We are losing free agent players, and it won't be long now before we lose the team. Who could blame Rays' management if they left for a city that will turn out big crowds night after night?
As depressing as that line of thinking is, the game played tonight against the Red Sox was an exhilarating example of what the 2019 version of the Tampa Bay Rays can be. Yonny Chirinos, the starter tonight, not the Bulk Man, threw a brilliant eight innings against the potent Red Sox lineup. He was perfect through five (for the second time this season) and ended up giving up only two hits and two walks and no runs through 101 pitches. Emilio Pagan pitched the ninth and gave up a pair of doubles that ruined the shutout, but Rays dominance was clear from the get go.
Ji-Man Choi drew first blood with a second-inning homer, but it was Kevin Kiermaier (3 for 4 on the night), who was the offensive star. In the fourth he drove in two runs with a single to right then in the sixth he homered to open the lead to 5-0.
Tomorrow is a day-night double header. Manager Kevin Cash has announced Ryan Yarbrough with his 6.23 ERA will be the first game starter, but as yet he has not named a pitcher for the second game to face ex-Ray David Price (3-2, 2.83).
Thursday, June 6. Game 60: d'Arnaud to the rescue
Rays 6, Tigers 1
Record: 37-23
Attendance: 21,442
Travis d'Arnaud, the newest backup catcher on the Rays, the one the players call "Lil d," carried the team to victory in today's game, hitting a pair of long home runs to the deepest part of center field. He doesn't look like the 6-2 he's listed as in the program, and though he has had 49 home runs over a seven year career (tops was 16 in 2017), his Rays production this year has been spotty.
But that was just fine for the Rays' management and the Rays' fans because he was an emergency pickup to take the place of Mike Zunino and Michael Perez, their full-time catchers who both went on the injured list at the same time. He had to learn everything about a pitching staff and about a new league on the fly. He was what the Rays needed, a warm body to put behind the plate. That was enough for fans to forgive his slow offensive start, 1 for 22 and his .171 batting average.
So it was an eye-opening display of power Lil D put on to single-handedly beat the Tigers, 6-1 with his two two-run homers. Well, he wasn't exactly alone. Willy Adames, who had a pair of hits to raise his BA to .256, hit a solo homer in the eighth, and Austin Meadows, playing left field today, drove in a run with a single in the first. In fact there were 14 hits overall, Yandy Diaz leading the way with a 3 for 5 day.
The pitching remained strong for the second day in a row. Building on yesterday's shutout, today's one run gave the Rays' pitchers a total of one run surrendered in 19 innings. And that run was lucky, a trickler that crept through the left side of the infield. It barely made it to the outfield. Ryne Stanek gave up the run in the first of his two innings. Jalen Beeks took the mound for four and a third innings in the third to pick up (very quietly) his fifth win this season without a loss. In the seventh, eighth, and ninth, came Chaz Roe, Hunter Wood, and Diego Castillo. (Jose Alvarado is unavailable as he has been tending to personal affairs for a few days.)
The Craig Kimbrel story took another frustrating turn as news emerged that the Rays were indeed deeply involved in the bidding, topping out at $39 million over three years. He reportedly signed with the Cubs for $43 million, part of which came from the $9 million saved on ex-Ray Ben Zobrist's salary as he has left the club to manage a messy divorce. Rays' fans are feeling the same frustration and anger at the baseball gods that they experienced when Nelson Cruz chose Minnesota over the Rays last winter. So close. We remain hopeful, however, that someone will shake loose either as a closer or a traditional starter as we approach the July 31 trade deadline. It is still possible that some much needed help can be found for a serious pennant run.
Record: 37-23
Attendance: 21,442
Travis d'Arnaud, the newest backup catcher on the Rays, the one the players call "Lil d," carried the team to victory in today's game, hitting a pair of long home runs to the deepest part of center field. He doesn't look like the 6-2 he's listed as in the program, and though he has had 49 home runs over a seven year career (tops was 16 in 2017), his Rays production this year has been spotty.
But that was just fine for the Rays' management and the Rays' fans because he was an emergency pickup to take the place of Mike Zunino and Michael Perez, their full-time catchers who both went on the injured list at the same time. He had to learn everything about a pitching staff and about a new league on the fly. He was what the Rays needed, a warm body to put behind the plate. That was enough for fans to forgive his slow offensive start, 1 for 22 and his .171 batting average.
So it was an eye-opening display of power Lil D put on to single-handedly beat the Tigers, 6-1 with his two two-run homers. Well, he wasn't exactly alone. Willy Adames, who had a pair of hits to raise his BA to .256, hit a solo homer in the eighth, and Austin Meadows, playing left field today, drove in a run with a single in the first. In fact there were 14 hits overall, Yandy Diaz leading the way with a 3 for 5 day.
The pitching remained strong for the second day in a row. Building on yesterday's shutout, today's one run gave the Rays' pitchers a total of one run surrendered in 19 innings. And that run was lucky, a trickler that crept through the left side of the infield. It barely made it to the outfield. Ryne Stanek gave up the run in the first of his two innings. Jalen Beeks took the mound for four and a third innings in the third to pick up (very quietly) his fifth win this season without a loss. In the seventh, eighth, and ninth, came Chaz Roe, Hunter Wood, and Diego Castillo. (Jose Alvarado is unavailable as he has been tending to personal affairs for a few days.)
The Craig Kimbrel story took another frustrating turn as news emerged that the Rays were indeed deeply involved in the bidding, topping out at $39 million over three years. He reportedly signed with the Cubs for $43 million, part of which came from the $9 million saved on ex-Ray Ben Zobrist's salary as he has left the club to manage a messy divorce. Rays' fans are feeling the same frustration and anger at the baseball gods that they experienced when Nelson Cruz chose Minnesota over the Rays last winter. So close. We remain hopeful, however, that someone will shake loose either as a closer or a traditional starter as we approach the July 31 trade deadline. It is still possible that some much needed help can be found for a serious pennant run.
Wednesday, June 5. Game 59: Stability. Charlie Morton. Whew
Rays 4, Tigers 0
Record: 36-23
Attendance: 14,272
The Rays turned once again to Charlie Morton to give their rotation stability and stop a slide, and he delivered in spades, pitching seven scoreless innings, giving up only five hits, walking no one, and striking out eight. The 32-year-old journeyman Oliver Drake pitched two perfect innings to wrap up the night's business. And suddenly the Rays are breathing a little easier after four straight losses. Stability. Charlie Morton. Whew.
Oliver Drake is a 6-4, 32-year-old journeyman pitcher acquired by the Rays from the Blue Jays for $70,000 back in January of this year. It was a typical under-the-radar move by the Rays' front office. Drake was drafted out of the Naval Academy in the 43rd round in 2008 by the Baltimore Orioles but didn't make his major league debut until 2015. But then he began his travels, two teams in 2017 and five teams in 2018.
The Minnesota Twins claimed Drake off waivers from the Blue Jays in August 2018 but in November they put him up on waivers again and the Rays claimed him, but 20 days later they designated him for assignment and he was signed by the Blue Jays, but on December 30 they too designated Drake for assignment. At that point the Rays stepped in again, this time to buy his contract for $70K.
And if yesterday's relief appearance to finish up Charlie Morton's game, the Rays may have gotten themselves another bargain basement player who has knocked around for a few years before finding a home at Tropicana Field. He joins a bullpen that has been struggling and one that could use an infusion of new blood.
The offense was as good as it needed to be, picking up four runs at intervals, one in the third, two in the fifth and one more in the eighth. The only drama in the game was Austin Meadows' drive to right center in the third which split the outfielders and bounced off the wall. Meadows, in full throttle, slid safely into third, and when the ball bounced back to the fence, he sprinted home. The runs in the fifth came from an Avisail Garcia double and Ji-Man Choi single. The add-on run in the eighth scored on a fielder's choice. Very efficient. And they took advantage of sloppy Tiger defense, three errors on the night.
Tommy Pham is expected back to the lineup for today's matinee, when the Rays are expected to start opener Ryne Stanek and follow him with Bulkman Jalen Beeks.
It was always a pipe dream that the Rays might land closer Craig Kimbrel, but it seems all but official now that he will be signed by Traitor Joe Maddon's Chicago Cubs. The numbers were not so far out of sight that the Rays might match them as reported by ESPN online: $10 million this year and $16 million for the next two. Many observers however are concerned that he's long past his high point as a reliable closer and that his erratic showing in last season's post-season may be a sign that a long-term contract is a questionable decision.
Record: 36-23
Attendance: 14,272
The Rays turned once again to Charlie Morton to give their rotation stability and stop a slide, and he delivered in spades, pitching seven scoreless innings, giving up only five hits, walking no one, and striking out eight. The 32-year-old journeyman Oliver Drake pitched two perfect innings to wrap up the night's business. And suddenly the Rays are breathing a little easier after four straight losses. Stability. Charlie Morton. Whew.
Oliver Drake is a 6-4, 32-year-old journeyman pitcher acquired by the Rays from the Blue Jays for $70,000 back in January of this year. It was a typical under-the-radar move by the Rays' front office. Drake was drafted out of the Naval Academy in the 43rd round in 2008 by the Baltimore Orioles but didn't make his major league debut until 2015. But then he began his travels, two teams in 2017 and five teams in 2018.
The Minnesota Twins claimed Drake off waivers from the Blue Jays in August 2018 but in November they put him up on waivers again and the Rays claimed him, but 20 days later they designated him for assignment and he was signed by the Blue Jays, but on December 30 they too designated Drake for assignment. At that point the Rays stepped in again, this time to buy his contract for $70K.
And if yesterday's relief appearance to finish up Charlie Morton's game, the Rays may have gotten themselves another bargain basement player who has knocked around for a few years before finding a home at Tropicana Field. He joins a bullpen that has been struggling and one that could use an infusion of new blood.
The offense was as good as it needed to be, picking up four runs at intervals, one in the third, two in the fifth and one more in the eighth. The only drama in the game was Austin Meadows' drive to right center in the third which split the outfielders and bounced off the wall. Meadows, in full throttle, slid safely into third, and when the ball bounced back to the fence, he sprinted home. The runs in the fifth came from an Avisail Garcia double and Ji-Man Choi single. The add-on run in the eighth scored on a fielder's choice. Very efficient. And they took advantage of sloppy Tiger defense, three errors on the night.
Tommy Pham is expected back to the lineup for today's matinee, when the Rays are expected to start opener Ryne Stanek and follow him with Bulkman Jalen Beeks.
It was always a pipe dream that the Rays might land closer Craig Kimbrel, but it seems all but official now that he will be signed by Traitor Joe Maddon's Chicago Cubs. The numbers were not so far out of sight that the Rays might match them as reported by ESPN online: $10 million this year and $16 million for the next two. Many observers however are concerned that he's long past his high point as a reliable closer and that his erratic showing in last season's post-season may be a sign that a long-term contract is a questionable decision.
Tuesday, June 4. Game 58: Snell surrenders Cabrera's Grand Slam, loses again
Rays 6, Tigers 9
Record: 35-23
Attendance: 15,420
Miguel Cabrera was off balance and had to compensate by flailing at the off speed pitch by Blake Snell. His right hand came off the bat and his left followed through the strike zone, but tens of thousands of swings over a lifetime put his muscle memory to work and he got the barrel of the bat on the ball sending it over the left field wall for a grand slam, the sixth of his career but the first since 2013. It was a grand moment for the gimpy 36-year-old former star and future Hall of Famer, and he trotted around the bases like royalty to the cheers of the 15,000 fans and a dugout full of younger players who will never forget the moment.
Unfortunately for the Rays, the moment was also a sign of the season slipping out of control.
Cabrera's Grand Slam broke open a tight game, the Rays 2-1 lead changing to a Tiger 6-2 lead. They added three more to make it 9-2, which was plenty big enough as a lead to absorb the other Grand Slam of the day, Willy Adames's in the top of the eighth. And that was it, 9-6.
Except it was worse than that because Cabrera's heroics came off ace Blake Snell, who left the game after the fateful pitch: four and a third innings, six runs, seven hits, two walks, a pair of wild pitches, and the loss (3-5). Fans, management, broadcasters, and teammates are tired of waiting for their Cy Young pitcher to begin pitching like Cy Young. Not enough fast balls. Too many off speed pitchers. Bad command of the strike zone. Too many balls into the dirt. In short, he's been as erratic as Alvarado and Castillo--and several others on the Durham-St. Pete shuttle. These guys are going to have to step up or the season can get ugly very fast.
Hitting, pitching, defense, each has suddenly become way off the high water mark of April's fast start. It's not too late to right the sinking ship, and as usual these days, it's going to be up to Charlie Morton (6-0) to make it happen.
Record: 35-23
Attendance: 15,420
Miguel Cabrera was off balance and had to compensate by flailing at the off speed pitch by Blake Snell. His right hand came off the bat and his left followed through the strike zone, but tens of thousands of swings over a lifetime put his muscle memory to work and he got the barrel of the bat on the ball sending it over the left field wall for a grand slam, the sixth of his career but the first since 2013. It was a grand moment for the gimpy 36-year-old former star and future Hall of Famer, and he trotted around the bases like royalty to the cheers of the 15,000 fans and a dugout full of younger players who will never forget the moment.
Unfortunately for the Rays, the moment was also a sign of the season slipping out of control.
Cabrera's Grand Slam broke open a tight game, the Rays 2-1 lead changing to a Tiger 6-2 lead. They added three more to make it 9-2, which was plenty big enough as a lead to absorb the other Grand Slam of the day, Willy Adames's in the top of the eighth. And that was it, 9-6.
Except it was worse than that because Cabrera's heroics came off ace Blake Snell, who left the game after the fateful pitch: four and a third innings, six runs, seven hits, two walks, a pair of wild pitches, and the loss (3-5). Fans, management, broadcasters, and teammates are tired of waiting for their Cy Young pitcher to begin pitching like Cy Young. Not enough fast balls. Too many off speed pitchers. Bad command of the strike zone. Too many balls into the dirt. In short, he's been as erratic as Alvarado and Castillo--and several others on the Durham-St. Pete shuttle. These guys are going to have to step up or the season can get ugly very fast.
Hitting, pitching, defense, each has suddenly become way off the high water mark of April's fast start. It's not too late to right the sinking ship, and as usual these days, it's going to be up to Charlie Morton (6-0) to make it happen.
Monday, June 3. Off day.
Blake Snell, the Rays' best pitcher and last year's AL Cy Young Award winner, didn't face the MLB's best Minnesota Twins in the four-game series that ended with three straight losses, but will pitch the first game of the upcoming series starting Tuesday against the Tigers, one of the worst teams in the major leagues with a 22-34 record, twelve games under .500.
Wouldn't you think that two weeks ago the Rays might have done a little juggling with the starting rotation so that Snell would have had a shot against the Twins and given them a better chance at a W than the pitchers they did use--Stanek, Chirinos, and Yarbrough? Maybe they wouldn't be looking at a demoralizing three-game losing streak right now. Just a thought.
With respect to Blake Snell's performance this year, the Tampa Bay Times ran some interesting numbers this morning, June 4. In his last five starts, his ERA has been 1.78 and opponents' batting average against him is .198. But his overall record is 3-4 (3.06 ERA). With June, July, and August on us already, this may be Blake Snell's time to lead the Rays to the top of the AL East. They can't do it without him. And keeping him out of a key series against a playoff team like the Twins doesn't seem like the best strategy.
Wouldn't you think that two weeks ago the Rays might have done a little juggling with the starting rotation so that Snell would have had a shot against the Twins and given them a better chance at a W than the pitchers they did use--Stanek, Chirinos, and Yarbrough? Maybe they wouldn't be looking at a demoralizing three-game losing streak right now. Just a thought.
With respect to Blake Snell's performance this year, the Tampa Bay Times ran some interesting numbers this morning, June 4. In his last five starts, his ERA has been 1.78 and opponents' batting average against him is .198. But his overall record is 3-4 (3.06 ERA). With June, July, and August on us already, this may be Blake Snell's time to lead the Rays to the top of the AL East. They can't do it without him. And keeping him out of a key series against a playoff team like the Twins doesn't seem like the best strategy.
Sunday June 2. Game 57: Regroup and move on
Rays 7, Twins 9
Record: 35-22
Attendance: 14,616
The Twins showed the Rays how a good team finds a way to win. Like Byron Buxton's play in the third going back to the center field wall for a Yandy Diaz fly ball and then throwing a strike to first base to double up Austin Meadows by half a step. Or like Jake Odorizzi going six innings giving up just three hits and a walk while striking out nine and lowering his league-leading ERA to 1.96 and picking up his eighth win against only two losses.
Ryan Yarbrough, whose last two outings were solid, reverted back to the form that led to his demotion to triple A Durham. He gave up ten hits, two walks, and seven runs in seven innings, lowering his record to 4-2 and raising his ERA to 6.23. Chaz Roe continued his inconsistent work by giving up a two-run homer in the eighth to Jonathan Schoop, runs that proved to be the difference as the Rays scored two in the bottom of the eighth on Christian Arroyo's two-run homer. But just like yesterday, Arroyo also threw a ball away for an error.
The Rays five-run seventh was all small ball, a couple of infield singles, a sharp line-drive single to center by Austin Meadows, and a throwing error. On the night, the Rays struck out 15 times and left 15 men on base. With runners in scoring position, they were 3 for 8, a respectable .375.
The defense was sketchier than anyone likes with a pair of errors and less sharpness than the Rays are accustomed to and need. But they did turn four double plays and Kevin Kiermaier did throw out Miguel Sano at third. Kiermaier, however, lost center field honors to Buxton who in addition to his impossible play doubling up Meadows at first in the third inning, also went 2 for 4 (including his 20th double) and added a stolen base (his 10th).
The Rays are still a good team with the same weaknesses they had coming into this series with the current best team in baseball. Maybe they learned a few things and can get back on track against the Detroit Tigers in a three-game set that begins on Tuesday in Detroit. It's time to regroup and move on.
Record: 35-22
Attendance: 14,616
The Twins showed the Rays how a good team finds a way to win. Like Byron Buxton's play in the third going back to the center field wall for a Yandy Diaz fly ball and then throwing a strike to first base to double up Austin Meadows by half a step. Or like Jake Odorizzi going six innings giving up just three hits and a walk while striking out nine and lowering his league-leading ERA to 1.96 and picking up his eighth win against only two losses.
Ryan Yarbrough, whose last two outings were solid, reverted back to the form that led to his demotion to triple A Durham. He gave up ten hits, two walks, and seven runs in seven innings, lowering his record to 4-2 and raising his ERA to 6.23. Chaz Roe continued his inconsistent work by giving up a two-run homer in the eighth to Jonathan Schoop, runs that proved to be the difference as the Rays scored two in the bottom of the eighth on Christian Arroyo's two-run homer. But just like yesterday, Arroyo also threw a ball away for an error.
The Rays five-run seventh was all small ball, a couple of infield singles, a sharp line-drive single to center by Austin Meadows, and a throwing error. On the night, the Rays struck out 15 times and left 15 men on base. With runners in scoring position, they were 3 for 8, a respectable .375.
The defense was sketchier than anyone likes with a pair of errors and less sharpness than the Rays are accustomed to and need. But they did turn four double plays and Kevin Kiermaier did throw out Miguel Sano at third. Kiermaier, however, lost center field honors to Buxton who in addition to his impossible play doubling up Meadows at first in the third inning, also went 2 for 4 (including his 20th double) and added a stolen base (his 10th).
The Rays are still a good team with the same weaknesses they had coming into this series with the current best team in baseball. Maybe they learned a few things and can get back on track against the Detroit Tigers in a three-game set that begins on Tuesday in Detroit. It's time to regroup and move on.
Saturday, June 1. Game 56: Wake up!
Rays 2, Twins 6
Record: 35-21
Attendance:14,381
The Rays drifted through a lazy air-conditioned afternoon at Tropicana Field, dropping a 6-2 decision to the more aggressive Twins, who routinely took advantage of every opportunity the laid back Rays gave them. There was nothing spectacular about the Twins work ethic, but they kept at their jobs until they had scored two in the third, and one each in the 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th innings. The Rays' Travis d'Arnaud singled in a run in the second but then the bats went silent for the next five innings, until rookie Christian Arroyo (who came to the Rays from the San Francisco Giants in the Evan Longoria trade in December 2017 and has languished at triple A Durham most of the time since then) homered to center in the eighth. And that was it.
Before we conclude that Arroyo was a bright spot with his homer, he also allowed the leadoff hitter to reach and later score with his throwing error in the seventh, and he grounded weakly to second to make the third out with the bases loaded in the second inning. He may have a future as a major leaguer, but not many people think he's arrived quite yet.
Yonny Chirinos was the starter, not the bulkman, but he left after five and a third having given up nine hits, one walk, and four runs. He took the loss, which brought his record to 6-2. Hunter Wood came on to surrender two more runs before the clean mop up work by Oliver Drake and Jose Alvarado, who gave up a hit and struck out two in a meaningless outing. Lefty Adam Kolarek was optioned before the game to Durham to work out a few recent kinks in his effectiveness. The bullpen is key to any hope the Rays may have for the post-season, but it continues to be a work in progress.
The lackluster offensive performance today may reasonably be attributed to the absence in the lineup of three top hitters, Avisail Garcia, Tommy Pham (both day-to-day) and Yandy Diaz (who may be activated from the IL for today's game). Maybe with them in the lineup there would not have been 18 men left on base, and maybe their BA with runners in scoring position would not have been an embarrassing .125 (1 for 8).
Power hitting Nate Lowe was called up from Durham to play first base today. Struggling Daniel Robertson was benched. Ji-Man Choi continues to underperform as a regular in the lineup. And if he continues to improve, Willy Adames may one day soon become an average major league shortstop.
Citing the terrible recent attendance figures at Tropicana Field, John Romano of the Tampa Bay Times, commented in the paper of June 2. "Crowds of 6,000 or less for a team on pace to win 101 games are not just alarming they are unprecedented. . . . It's getting late in the game to save major league baseball in Tampa Bay."
Record: 35-21
Attendance:14,381
The Rays drifted through a lazy air-conditioned afternoon at Tropicana Field, dropping a 6-2 decision to the more aggressive Twins, who routinely took advantage of every opportunity the laid back Rays gave them. There was nothing spectacular about the Twins work ethic, but they kept at their jobs until they had scored two in the third, and one each in the 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th innings. The Rays' Travis d'Arnaud singled in a run in the second but then the bats went silent for the next five innings, until rookie Christian Arroyo (who came to the Rays from the San Francisco Giants in the Evan Longoria trade in December 2017 and has languished at triple A Durham most of the time since then) homered to center in the eighth. And that was it.
Before we conclude that Arroyo was a bright spot with his homer, he also allowed the leadoff hitter to reach and later score with his throwing error in the seventh, and he grounded weakly to second to make the third out with the bases loaded in the second inning. He may have a future as a major leaguer, but not many people think he's arrived quite yet.
Yonny Chirinos was the starter, not the bulkman, but he left after five and a third having given up nine hits, one walk, and four runs. He took the loss, which brought his record to 6-2. Hunter Wood came on to surrender two more runs before the clean mop up work by Oliver Drake and Jose Alvarado, who gave up a hit and struck out two in a meaningless outing. Lefty Adam Kolarek was optioned before the game to Durham to work out a few recent kinks in his effectiveness. The bullpen is key to any hope the Rays may have for the post-season, but it continues to be a work in progress.
The lackluster offensive performance today may reasonably be attributed to the absence in the lineup of three top hitters, Avisail Garcia, Tommy Pham (both day-to-day) and Yandy Diaz (who may be activated from the IL for today's game). Maybe with them in the lineup there would not have been 18 men left on base, and maybe their BA with runners in scoring position would not have been an embarrassing .125 (1 for 8).
Power hitting Nate Lowe was called up from Durham to play first base today. Struggling Daniel Robertson was benched. Ji-Man Choi continues to underperform as a regular in the lineup. And if he continues to improve, Willy Adames may one day soon become an average major league shortstop.
Citing the terrible recent attendance figures at Tropicana Field, John Romano of the Tampa Bay Times, commented in the paper of June 2. "Crowds of 6,000 or less for a team on pace to win 101 games are not just alarming they are unprecedented. . . . It's getting late in the game to save major league baseball in Tampa Bay."
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