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LBWMF: Souza Jr. leads Rays to 5-2 win over the Angels with a two-homer night

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Third base coach Charlie Montoyo high fives Steven Souza Jr. as he rounds the bases following his two run home run in the second inning of last night’s ball game. (Photo Credit: Will Vragovic/Tampa Bay Times)

The Tampa Bay Rays rallied from a two-run deficit on Wednesday, taking the lead in the third inning, and snapping a three-game skid with a 5–2 win over the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

The Angels took the lead against Erasmo Ramirez in the opening frame after Mike Trout hit a one-out bullet to center for a double, and Albert Pujols hit a two-run homer to left. It gave the Angels a two-run lead in the first inning for a second straight evening.

But the Rays came back to tie the game against Ricky Nolasco in the second inning, when Logan Morrison worked a leadoff walk, and Steven Souza Jr. drilled a two-run homer to center field two batters later — snapping an 8-for-67 skid.

Souza Jr.’s two-homer night

Steven Souza Jr. hits a two-run homer in the 2nd and follows with a solo shot in the 7th in the Rays’ 5-2 win over the Angels

 

As the luck dragons would have it, Tampa Bay took the lead for good in the bottom of next inning. Corey Dickerson and Kevin Kiermaier hit back-to-back one-out doubles (to center and right, respectively) for the go ahead lead. But even though the Rays had a chance to score more — after Evan Longoria walked (making him the franchise leader in that category with 543), then both he and Kiermaier advanced on a sac-fly to left by Morrison — Tim Beckham struck out, ending the threat.

The go-ahead lead made a winner out of King Erasmo, who threw six solid and efficient innings on 82 pitches (52 strikes). The right-hander walked one and scattered four hits, while striking out two.

Jose Alvarado followed Ramirez in the seventh, and posted a perfect frame while also notching his second consecutive strikeout of pinch hitter Danny Espinosa (swinging) on three, well placed pitches.

In spite of the aforementioned missed scoring opportunity, Tampa Bay was able to extend the lead in the seventh, when Rasmus and Souza hit back-to-back solo shots, chasing Nolasco. It was the fifth time this season the Rays hit back-to-back home runs; the most in Major League Baseball. They only did so four times last season (tied for the third-fewest).

The most recent multi-homer game for Rays RF Steven Souza Jr. before Wednesday night was Sept. 8 last season against the Yankees. He had two multi-homer games last year. (Graphic and caption, Courtesy of ESPN)

Ryne Stanek came on in the eighth and fanned Cliff Pennington before getting ahead of, yet ultimately walking, Cameron Maybin. After a brief discussion on the mound with Jim Hickey, Stanek came back to mow down both Trout and Pujols on back-to-back swinging strikeouts to end the frame.

Alex Colome worked a perfect ninth for his 12th save of the season.

The New What Next

The Rays go for a winning home stand on Thursday afternoon when Matt Andriese (4-1, 3.75 ERA, 4.76 FIP) takes the mound, opposite of rookie Alex Meyer (2-2, 5.79 ERA, 4.33 FIP).

Andriese battled through his second consecutive start, going five-plus innings and giving up five runs on six hits against the Yankees. He, however, is 3-0 in his past four outings. He looks to regress back to his previous, efficient form in the series finale on Thursday.

Meyer delivered an uneven performance against New York on Saturday, allowing four runs (three earned) while walking four, and fanning seven over four-plus innings. The 27 year-old rookie has never faced the Rays, and relies primarily on his 97 mph four-seam fastball with natural sinking action, a 97 mph sinker with good tailing action that results in a good number of fly balls, and a hard knuckle curveball.

You can read more about the series in our preview.

Rays 5/25/17 Starting Lineup

Dickerson LF
Kiermaier CF
Longo 3B
Morrison 1B
Souza Jr. RF
Rasmus DH
Robertson SS
Martinez 2B
Sucre C
Andriese RHP

Noteworthiness

— It bears mentioning: after the two hit first, Rays pitching allowed just two hits and two walks over the next eight innings.

— The Rays have activated Tommy Hunter from the DL, while high leverage reliever Jumbo Diaz has been placed on the DL with arm fatigue.

On Wilson Ramos, Brad Miller, Matt Duffy and Tommy Hunter’s DL status

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Wilson Ramos looks on from the dugout during the sixth inning of a game at Tropicana Field. (Photo Credit: Kim Klement/USA Today Sports)

Wilson Ramos (recovery from torn ACL), Brad Miller (left abdomen strain), and Matt Duffy (recovery from Achilles surgery), all participated in baseball activities at Tropicana Field on Tuesday. Additionally, Tommy Hunter made his first, and possibly only, rehab appearance with the Class-A Charlotte Stone Crabs.

Donning his catching gear, Ramos threw to the bases, caught a bullpen session, and took blocking drills — all significant milestones since undergoing the knife last October. He also took batting practice for the second time this week, reportedly peppering the outfield with line drives.

I’m really happy for all I did today, Ramos told reporters. I’m getting closer. That’s what I need to do. All those little things help me to stay strong and ready to do something else.

Getting closer to his debut with the Rays, Ramos will likely head to Port Charlotte to take part in extended spring training games this weekend, before moving into his rehab assignment around May 28. With rehab limited to 20 days, and barring any setbacks, that should put him on the 25-man active roster by mid-to-late-June — well ahead of schedule.

(That would be) pretty good for me, good for the team, Ramos said. Now, I feel a lot better. I feel confident. I feel strong. That’s what I want; I want to be behind the plate as soon as possible.

It was originally thought that he would return as a designated hitter, however, the plan now is to prepare him to catch, although he won’t initially assume everyday duty.

Miller took grounders and hopes to be activated from the DL by Friday, the first day he’s eligible to return.

Miller is anxious to return, saying:

I don’t want to miss any more time than I have to.

However, standing in his way is the fact that he has yet to run. Because of it, Rays skipper Kevin Cash is less optimistic about Miller’s return:

I don’t see how he could be (ready to return), Cash said.

As for Duffy, the shortstop — who can’t seem to catch a break — took ground balls and and batting practice for the first time since he fouled a ball off his left foot in a previous batting practice session this past weekend. He told reporters that his Achilles felt much better, although his big toe is still irritated:

(The toe) Still bothers some things I’m doing, Duffy said. The fear is I do something, and compensate for the toe hurting. That’s one thing Ron (Porterfield) said he doesn’t mess with: big toe, little toe.

Duffy conceded that his situation is rather frustrating:

To say the least. In Spring Training it was really frustrating, because I was really fighting to get ready for Opening Day. … (Now) I can’t really control where I’m at in terms of wanting it to be quicker. … I don’t like being on the DL at all.

Finally, Hunter took the mound in Port Charlotte on Tuesday evening and threw one inning of two-run ball, allowing three hits while fanning three on 21 pitches. He said says his calf feels good, although there isn’t a definitive plan yet for Hunter to return to the fold.

LBWMF: In spite of early homers, Rays fall to the Angels, 3-2; Duffy and Hunter rehab updates

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It turns out that the hot, sticky dog days of summer start in the middle of May in Florida. (Photo Credit: Anthony Ateek/X-Rays Spex)

In spite of a pair of Corey Dickerson/Logan Morrison solo homers in the first inning, the Tampa Bay Rays fell to the Angels, 3-2.

Here’s your tentative game recap, while I get my eggs in a row for this afternoon’s pre-game notes piece.

All of the Rays offense came on the first 10 pitches of the game.

On the third pitch of the ball-game, Corey Dickerson led off the bottom of the first inning with a home run to left field, tying the game at one apiece on his birthday.

Seven pitches later, Logan Morrison crushed a solo shot over the right-field wall to give the Rays a 2-1 lead.

Morrison’s solo home run

Logan Morrison crushes a solo home run over the right-field wall to give the Rays a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the 1st

Tampa Bay’s bats went silent from that point on, with the Rays not being able to get a runner into scoring position until two outs into the eight inning.

The New What Next

After a second consecutive 3–2 loss, the Rays will try to bounce back tonight against the Angels, and get back to .500. Alex Cobb (4-3, 3.67 ERA, 3.99 FIP) will get the start opposite of Matt Shoemaker (3-2, 4.47 ERA, 5.01 FIP)

Cobb has delivered quality starts in his last four starts, allowing just eight earned runs over his last 27-1/3 innings. His changeup hasn’t returned to pre-surgery form, which has been well documented, but he’s effectively worked the fastball-curve combo.

Shoemaker notched his third win of the season on Wednesday after allowing four runs (three earned) over 6-1/3 innings against the ChiSox. In 2017, he has relied primarily on an 85 mph splitter with a ton of backspin that results in an above average number of fly balls, a 92 mph four-seam fastball, an 83 mph slider, and a 92 mph sinker. Shoemaker is undefeated in three career starts against the Rays, going 3-0 with a 2.60 ERA. Key matchups: Michael Martinez (1-3), Logan Morrison (4-11, 2B, HR, RBI, BB), Derek Norris (3-5, BB), Colby Rasmus (6-19, 2B, HR, 2 RBI, BB)

You can read more about the series in our series preview.

Rays 5/23/17 Starting Lineup

Dickerson DH
Kiermaier CF
Longoria 3B
Morrison 1B
Beckham SS
Rasmus LF
Souza Jr RF
Norris C
Robertson 2B
Cobb RHP

Noteworthiness

— Another hitch in the ongoing Matt Duffy (left heel) rehab process, he will not restart his rehab assignment until Saturday or Sunday. Duffy fouled a ball off his left foot during batting practice Saturday, resulting in uncomfortable swelling and the potential for him to favor his right foot. He was able to take ground balls Monday, but as Marc Topkin (Tampa Bay Times) noted, plans to test the heel by running out of the box had to be pushed back, which may delay his return to minor-league game action until the weekend.

— In other rehab news, RHP Tommy Hunter (calf strain) is tentatively scheduled to make a rehab appearance tonight with the Class-A Charlotte Stone Crabs. Pending his return, the Rays will face tough questions over who to option back to Triple-A or release in order to make room for Hunter on the 25-man roster. At the moment, the likeliest candidates appear to be RHPs Ryne Stanek and Jumbo Diaz.

— How good has Dickerson been?

— Evan Longoria is number 57 on Mark Simon’s latest hard hit leaderboard.

— Wonder why Matt Andriese has had a measured level of success this season? He doesn’t allow hard contact.

The New What Next: Rays vs Angels — a series preview

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Corey Dickerson slides into home for the Rays first run on Sunday. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)

Even though the Tampa Bay Rays fell 3-2 in the finale finale against the Yankees on Sunday, they still were able to walk away with their third consecutive series win. Next they will play host to Mike Trout and the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim for a four-game series, starting Monday.

(Stats: ESPN)

Both teams are 6-4 over a 10-game stretch, however, a huge difference between the two is that the Angels aren’t scoring runs and the Rays are — Los Angeles’ -7 and the Rays +21 run differentials speak to that. The Angels’ 8-15 road record certainly doesn’t help. Still, Mike Trout — who is batting .362 (17-47) in 13 career games at The Trop — is Mike Trout, and Cameron Maybin has been hot in the leadoff spot — collecting 11 hits in his last 21 at-bats, with five walks.

Questions continue to swirl around Albert Pujols, who is nursing a tight right hamstring, and whether he will be available for the series. There is the possibility that the Angels could use him as the designated hitter, and in the words of Mike Scioscia:

We’re just going day to day. He felt good this afternoon. We’ll see tomorrow.

As for the Rays, Corey Dickerson continues to rake, collecting a league leading 21 multi-hit games, while Logan Morrison holds the team lead in runs batted in at 31. Boding in Tampa Bay’s favor, the bullpen appears to be turning the corner, with the relievers slashing 3.12 ERA/3.68 FIP/.243 BABIP over the past 14 days and 40-1/3 innings. Compare that will their overall 3.93 ERA/3.86 FIP/.274 BABIP line.

Tthe Rays took the 2016 series with the Angels by a 4-3 margin, however, the Halos have won their last three games at Tropicana Field.

(Stats: FanGraphs)

Over the next four days, Kevin Cash will look to Jake Odorizzi (3-2, 3.16 ERA, 4.59 FIP), Alex Cobb (4-3, 3.67 ERA, 3.99 FIP), Erasmo Ramirez (2-0, 3.00 ERA, 3.31 FIP), and Matt Andriese (4-1, 3.75 ERA, 4.76 FIP), Scioscia will counter with J.C. Ramirez (3-3, 3.97 ERA, 3.86 FIP), Matt Shoemaker (3-2, 4.47 ERA, 5.01 FIP), Ricky Nolasco (2-3, 4.01 ERA, 5.39 FIP), and Alex Meyer (2-2, 5.79 ERA, 4.33 FIP).

(Stats: FanGraphs)

Pitching Matchups

Odorizzi earned his third win on Tuesday, when he held Cleveland to four runs on seven hits over six innings. The right-hander sailed into the sixth inning with just one run on his ledger, but ended the frame by allowing a two-run home run by Edwin Encarnacion. He was able to finish the inning and wound up with an impressive victory over one of the best teams in baseball.

Ramirez took a no-decision in his last start after allowing two runs over seven innings against the ChiSox. He was used exclusively as a reliever in the majors until recently, and has tossed two scoreless innings in two career relief appearances against Tampa Bay. Ramirez boasts a 94-97 mph fastball with release-side run (and just a 4.4% SwStr% on the season), an 87-90 mph slider that gets a fair number of swings-and-misses, and a 12-6 curveball with a bunch of late break that coaxes grounders from opposing batters. Key matchups: Peter Bourjos (1-2), Michael Martinez (1-2, 2B), Derek Norris (1-1, HR, 3 RBI), Steven Souza Jr. (1-1)

Cobb has delivered quality starts in his last four starts, allowing just eight earned runs over his last 27-1/3 innings. His changeup hasn’t returned to pre-surgery form, which has been well documented, but he’s effectively worked the fastball-curve combo.

Shoemaker notched his third win of the season on Wednesday after allowing four runs (three earned) over 6-1/3 innings against the ChiSox. In 2017, he has relied primarily on an 85 mph splitter with a ton of backspin that results in an above average number of fly balls, a 92 mph four-seam fastball, an 83 mph slider, and a 92 mph sinker. Shoemaker is undefeated in three career starts against the Rays, going 3-0 with a 2.60 ERA. Key matchups: Michael Martinez (1-3), Logan Morrison (4-11, 2B, HR, RBI, BB), Derek Norris (3-5, BB), Colby Rasmus (6-19, 2B, HR, 2 RBI, BB)

Ramirez continues to have success whether he’s in the starting rotation or coming out of the bullpen. He gave up just two runs in 5-1/3 innings, throwing just 65 pitches (48 strikes) in his first start back — a no-decision against New York.

Nolasco held the Mets to two runs (one earned) over six innings, en route to a hard luck loss. The 34 year-old right-hander has favored his has relied primarily on his 82 mph worm-burner of a slider, a 91 mph fly ball coaxing sinker, and a rather pedestrian 92 mph four-seam fastball. He also mixes in am 82 mph splitter from time to time, and a 74 mph knuckle curveball. In nine career starts against Tampa Bay, he has gone 3-6 with a beefy 6.57 ERA. Key matchups: Evan Longoria (5-19, 2 2B, HR, 3 RBI, BB), Logan Morrison (1-3, 2B), Colby Rasmus (2-7, BB), Steven Souza Jr. (1-3, 2B), Rickie Weeks Jr. (11-24, 2B, 3B, 2 HR, 4 RBI, BB)

Andriese battled through his second consecutive start, going five-plus innings and giving up five runs on six hits against the Yankees. He, however, is 3-0 in his past four outings. He looks to regress back to his previous, efficient form in the series finale on Thursday.

Meyer delivered an uneven performance against New York on Saturday, allowing four runs (three earned) while walking four, and fanning seven over four-plus innings. The 27 year-old rookie has never faced the Rays, and relies primarily on his 97 mph four-seam fastball with natural sinking action, a 97 mph sinker with good tailing action that results in a good number of fly balls, and a hard knuckle curveball.

LBWMF: Rays come from behind late to beat Yankees, 5-4

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Erasmo Ramirez, pictured warming up in the ‘pen before Friday night’s game, was incredibly efficient in his first start since the demotion of Blake Snell. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)

Evan Longoria had a four-hit game, which included the game-winning RBI single in the eighth inning, as the Tampa Bay Rays won a back-and-forth battle against the New York Yankees, 5–4. Don’t look now, but the Rays have put together a modest three-game win streak (6-4 over their last 10 games) and are back to .500 on the season.


The LI graph for an incredibly fun game. Source: FanGraphs

The Yankees got things started early against Erasmo Ramirez, who is widely known to work quickly and throw strikes. With one out, Jacoby Ellsbury singled to center and went to third on Matt Holliday’s double to center. Surely the threat of Kevin Kiermaier’s arm factored into the decision to hold Ellsbury at third, however, when Starlin Castro grounded out to short, Ellsbury crossed the plate to break the seal. Ramirez was able to limit the damage to just a run by striking out Didi Gregorius (swinging) to end the inning.

Down by a run, the Rays came charging back in the bottom of the inning to tie the game at one apiece against starter Luis Severino — who was not particularly sharp over his 25+ pitch first. Corey Dickerson led off the frame with a well struck single to center, yet both Kiermaier and Evan Longoria traded places with the Rays’ DH after they hit into back-to-back fielder’s choices. With two outs, however, Longoria scored from first on Logan Morrison’s double to left-center, putting Tampa Bay on the board.

New York broke the stalemate in the third inning when Gardner reached on a bunt single. Charging and bare-handing the ball, Longoria sailed his throw past Morrison at first, allowing Gardner to advance to second. Ellsbury then slapped a double up the left field line on the very next pitch, putting the Yankees ahead by a 2–1 margin.

…And the Yankees maintained that one-run lead until the seventh, when Tampa Bay took its first lead of the game.

The Rays started the rally against Adam Warren with three straight singles from Dickerson, Kiermaier and Longoria — loading the bases with none out. Morrison followed with a 400 for sac-fly to center, allowing all three runners to advance, tying the game. After Steven Souza Jr. struck out, the Yankees brought in lefty Chasen Shreve for Colby Rasmus. But Kevin Cash, playing chess, put the right-handed Rickie Weeks Jr. into the game to pinch-hit, and he came through by chopping a ground ball that skipped past Ronald Torreyes up the third base line for a two-run double, putting Tampa Bay by a pair. As Marc Topkin (Tampa Bay Times) opined, Weeks is said to have a big impact in the clubhouse, and he finally came through in a big way on the field.

The lead took Ramirez off the hook, in his first start since replacing Blake Snell in the rotation. The smiley one needed just 65 pitches (48 strikes) to work into the sixth, allowing just two runs (one earned) on six hits, while walking one and striking out five. He efficiently got 11 of his 16 outs in three pitches or fewer. Welcome back, King Erasmo.

Yet as we’ve seen all season, the bullpen — this time Jose Alvarado and Ryne Stanek — allowed the lead to slip away in the eighth. Alvarado walked Gardner, the first free pass he’s allowed in the big leagues, before he coaxed a popper to short left out of Ellsbury for the first out of the frame. Now with Stanek on the bump, Gardner moved into second on a wild pitch, before Matt Holliday homered to right on a 100 mph, 2–2 fastball. Castro singled, which led to Stanek’s exit, before Danny Farquhar got Aaron Judge to bounce into a 5–4–3 double play to end the frame and preserve the tie.

Something they haven’t often done this season, although they do seem to be improving, the Rays took the lead for the second and final time in the bottom of the inning. Norris walked against Tyler Clippard with one out. After Dickerson went down swinging, Kiermaier worked a four-pitch walk, putting two aboard for Longoria.

Longoria took the first pitch for a strike, then lined a single into left field, scoring Norris from second for a 5–4 lead. It was the seventh four hit game for Longoria, who was part of every Tampa Bay rally. The team now has scored five or more runs in five consecutive games, and six of the past seven contests.

Alex Colome finished things up by working a perfect ninth for his 11th save. Danny Farquhar, kept the game tied in the eighth, earned the win.

The New What Next

Tampa Bay has a chance to get back over .500 this afternoon for the first time in a month. The Rays have won three straight for the first time since sweeping Detroit (April 18–20). Matt Andriese (3-1, 3.18 ERA, 4.45 FIP) will take the mound today, opposite of fellow righty Masahiro Tanaka (5-2, 5.80 ERA, 5.37 FIP).

Andriese battled against the Red Sox in his last start, allowing just two runs on four hits and four walks, while striking out five batters over five innings. The right-hander has been solid, although the outcome of this game likely depends upon which Tanaka shows up to pitch for New York on Saturday.

Tanaka was tagged for eight runs on seven hits and one walk over just 1-2/3 innings on Sunday by the Astros. He has shown some promise this season, winning each of his previous five starts, and allowing a total of 11 earned runs in that span. Yet at other times it looks like he’s throwing batting practice. Tanaka allowed seven runs on eight hits in just 2-2/3 innings of work against Tampa Bay on Opening Day. Key matchups: Tim Beckham (1-3, 2B), Corey Dickerson (6-16, 2 2B, HR, 2 RBI), Kevin Kiermaier (6-12, 2B, 3B, HR, RBI, BB)

You can read about the pitching matchup, and so much more, in our series preview.

Rays 5/20/17 Starting Lineup

Dickerson DH
Kiermaier CF
Longoria 3B
Morrison 1B
Souza Jr RF
Rasmus LF
Beckham SS
Robertson 2B
Sucre C
Andriese RHP

Noteworthiness

— Disabled list update:

SS Matt Duffy (heel), who stopped his minor-league rehab because of soreness, participated in pregame batting practice and took ground balls Friday afternoon. Duffy is expected to do it again today, and should resume his rehab shortly.

Meanwhile RHP Tommy Hunter (right calf strain) is slated to throw live batting practice this afternoon, while C Wilson Ramos (offseason knee surgery) hit on the field Friday for the first time.