Stop me oh oh oh stop me, stop me if you that you’ve heard this one before… The Tampa Bay Rays dropped another winnable ballgame Saturday night, this time against the Baltimore Orioles, 2-1. So much for entering the second half like a house on fire. For Tampa Bay, it was the Rays eighth loss in a row, and 24th out of 27.
The New What Next
The Rays again look to salvage a game against Baltimore on Sunday, when Jake Odorizzi (3-5, 4.47 ERA) takes the hill opposite of Dylan Bundy (2-1, 3.08 ERA). On the bright side, both Chris Archer and Matt Moore have pitched into the eighth inning in back-to-back games — the first time a Rays hurler has done so since 2014. Odorizzi hopes to continue that trend.
It won’t necessarily be a cake walk for Odorizzi, who’s only finished six innings once in his last seven starts, and has posted seven innings just three time this season. The right-hander allowed four runs on six hits and a walk over five innings last Sunday, fanning only four along the way. Jake wasn’t sharp, throwing 52 of 86 pitches for strikes (60% K%; six whiffs), although with David Price dealing for the Red Sox, Odorizzi would have had to match him pitch-for-pitch for a shot at a win. He’s put together just one quality start over his last six starts, and added a full run to his ERA (4.47) heading into the All-Star Break.
Working primarily out of the bullpen, Bundy has yet to pitch beyond three innings or 57 pitches this season. He, however, struck out seven in his last relief appearance, and hasn’t allowed an earned run in 14-1/3 innings.
Rays 7/17/16 Starting Lineup
2B Forsythe
SS Miller
3B Longoria
1B Morrison
RF Souza Jr.
DH Dickerson
CF Kiermaier
LF Arcia
C Casali
RHP Odorizzi
Noteworthiness
— The Rays and Rangers are reportedly in trade discussions for LHP Matt Moore. No word on who or what Tampa Bay may seek in return, although INF Jurickson Profar’s name has recently been bandied about.
Rangers, Rays In Trade Talks https://t.co/V80vdcuJMR pic.twitter.com/NtnGfojDGI
— MLB Trade Rumors (@mlbtraderumors) July 17, 2016
— Never Forget:
— Steve Pearce will play first base for the Charlotte Stone Crabs tonight in Dunedin. RHPs Chase Whitley and Brad Boxberger are also set to begin their rehab assignments tomorrow for Charlotte.
— Justin Marks of the Durham Bulls threw a nine-inning no-hitter Saturday night. Marks became the first individual to throw a nine-inning no-hitter at Durham in the franchise’s Triple-A history. Unlike the Rays themselves, all seven of the teams U.S. affiliates notched wins yesterday, while five of the seven teams now are .500 or better.
— Per the City of St. Petersburg’s Facebook page…
You’re invited to help shape the future of St. Pete and provide your input for the master plan + vision for the potential redevelopment of the Tropicana Field property. Two community meetings will be held (July 18 + 19 @6:30 p.m.) to learn about and discuss this initiative and the opportunities it presents. Please be encouraged to attend, ask questions and offer your input!
For more information and to RSVP, visit: http://tropicanafieldmasterplan.eventbrite.com
— If you’re counting, the Rays can only lose 18 or 19 games if they hope to end the season with 85 or 86 wins.