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LBWMF: Rays offense comes back to life in 6-4 win over the Jays

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A celebration on the infield for the first time in five days. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)

Good times for a change
See, the luck I’ve had
Can make a good man
Turn bad…
— Steven Patrick Morrissey, the Smiths

On Tuesday night, the Tampa Bay Rays snapped their four-game losing streak with a momentum building 6-4 win against the Toronto Blue Jays. Southpaw Blake Snell finally earned his first win of the season, while Wilson Ramos hit his second homer in as many days.

Tampa Bay got on the board in the third inning following Daniel Robertson’s leadoff single to center. Two batters later, Lucas Duda sent a first-pitch hanging changeup, over the inner third of the plate, into right field to put the Rays up by one.

Prior to the ball game, Wilson Ramos spoke about making a tweak in his batting stance, and how he was starting to feel better at the plate — something his solo homer on Monday hinted at. There must be some truth to what he said, because on Tuesday night he made it back-to-back games with a home run after he lashed a fourth-inning liner just over the wall in left field.

Ramos continued to collect hits, and consequently went 3-4 with a run, an RBI and a walk. Perhaps it is a sign of things to come in the latter half of the season from the backstop … and none to soon.

Then two batters after Adeiny Hechavarria doubled to right, Corey Dickerson sent an RBI single to deep center, plating the Rays fourth run of the night.

Tampa Bay added to its lead an inning later, thanks in part to Marco Estrada’s lack of command. After Ramos, Logan Morrison, and Steven Souza Jr. hit three singles to load the bases, Estrada walked Adeiny Hechavarria on four pitches to drive in a run. The right-hander followed that with another RBI walk, this time to Robertson, scoring the Rays sixth run.

All told, the Rays scored six runs on 13 hits, five walks, and two errors. Equally as important though Morrison, Souza, Ramos and Robertson each put together multi-hit games. The Rays are just a month removed from being one of baseballs top five run scoring teams, and perhaps this is a harbinger of good things to come.

On the mound, Snell worked to a 6 IP/4 ER/7 H/1 BB/4 K line, which doesn’t look too impressive until you dig a little deeper.

The first run against Snell came on a weak blooper that dropped between Souza and Smith, which took a strange bounce off the turf and was misplayed by the duo — allowed Steve Pearce to score from first. The gaffe, though technically not an error, gives credence to the idea that both Souza and Smith are not only pressing at the plate, but also in the field.

From there the left-hander locked it in, forcing weak contact while keeping hitters off balance with his mix of pitches, including some particularly deadly off-speed stuff. As with his previous start, Snell played off his live fastball (53 thrown, 32 strikes), then followed with a pretty good changeup (30 thrown, 21 strikes) — both of which he moved around the zone.

Things got hairy for Snell in the bottom of the fifth. After Darwin Barney hit a single up the middle, and Jose Bautista looped a double into right, the red hot Josh Donaldson took him deep to right field on a fastball on the outside corner of the plate.

Credit Donaldson for being able to power a pitch on the periphery of the zone.

Yet Snell limited the damage, and got out of the inning with the lead intact. He came back out in the sixth inning and worked around an awkward catcher’s interference call on Ramos to throw his fourth goose egg upon the scoreboard.

Steve Cishek, Tommy Hunter and Alex Colome held Toronto scoreless over the final three frames, working to a combined 3 IP/1 H/2 K line.

The Rays won a must win game, 6-4, and look to build on the W Wednesday night.

The New What Next

Jacob Faria (5-3, 3.19 ERA, 3.63 FIP) will take the mound for the Rays, pitching opposite of Marcus Stroman (10-6, 3.00 ERA, 3.75 FIP).

Faria was perfect through the front four innings against Cleveland on Friday, before he allowed a career-high five runs — on a homer and four horrendous fielding gaffes by Wilson Ramos and Logan Morrison, Evan Longoria, and Brad Miller. It was just the second time in his previous 12 big league starts that he’s allowed more than three runs. He has gone six or more innings in 10 of those starts.

Stroman was excellent his last time out, although poor defense led to four unearned runs. The right-hander gave up all four runs in the third inning against Pittsburgh, but he shut the Pirates’ bats down the rest of the way. After struggling over a pair of recent starts, he’s allowed just two earned runs over his last 14-2/3 innings of work to lower his ERA from 3.19 to 3.00. Overall, he has generated a huge ground ball rate with his sinking fastball, and he is capable of working deeply into each game. The Rays couldn’t get much started against Stroman in two starts against Tampa Bay this season, tagging him for just three runs over 13-2/3 innings. Key Matchups: Peter Bourjos (2-3, 3B), Corey Dickerson (6-21, 2 2B, 2 HR, 3 RBI, BB), Evan Longoria (9-27, 2 2B, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 2 BB), Steven Souza Jr. (5-15, 2B, 2 BB)

You can read about the series in our preview.

Rays 8/16/17 Starting Lineup

Miller 2B
Duda DH
Longoria 3B
Morrison 1B
Robertson SS
Dickerson LF
Bourjos CF
Smith RF
Sucre C
Faria RHP

Noteworthiness

— Kevin Kiermaier (hip, back) went 0-3 with a strikeout while playing five innings for advanced Class-A Charlotte in his return to rehab. He is eyeing a return to the big league squad this weekend.

— Alex Cobb (turf toe) reportedly felt better playing catch at Tropicana Field and will throw a bullpen session on Wednesday. If all goes as planned, he could rejoin the starting rotation next week.

— Matt Andriese (hip) will make the second rehab start Friday with the Stone Crabs in Port Charlotte. He is slated to make one more after that.

LBWMF: Corey Dickerson and the Rays snap skids with a 4-1 win over Cleveland

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The face of a player with a HUGE burden lifted off his shoulders. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)

A pair of long skids came to an end Thursday night. Corey Dickerson ended an 0-for-21 stretch at the plate with a three-run two-out homer in the eighth inning, while the Rays ended an 0-for-31 stretch with runners in scoring position. When all was said and done, Tampa Bay took the first of four from Cleveland with a 4–1 victory.

The Rays start the day tied with Seattle for the final Wildcard slot, 2-1/2 games behind New York for the top Wildcard slot, and 7-1/2 games behind Boston in the division. Of the remaining 46 games, 17 are against the Royals, Red Sox and Yankees, while another 10 are against the Mariners and Orioles, teams right behind the Rays in the race.

Cleveland took the initial lead three batters into the ballgame after Francisco Lindor hit a ground rule double down the left field line. Lindor moved to third on a Jason Kipnis groundout to second, then came home on a Jose Ramirez infield single.

Yet never mind the fact that Blake Snell has been plagued by inconsistent performances all season season, the southpaw settled in and retired seven consecutive batters before he allowed a leadoff double to Kipnis in the fourth inning. Snell later walked two batters before striking out Brandon Guyer to end the threat.

Meanwhile, after leaving seven runners on base over the first four innings against Danny Salazar — and going 0-for-their-last-31 wRISP overall — the Rays broke through in the fifth inning to tie the game at one. Lucas Duda walked to start the rally, then went to second on Evan Longoria’s single to left. Logan Morrison, who hit a single to center in his previous at-bat, drove in a run on a base hit to right-center, tying the game at one. But with runners on the corners and none out, Steven Souza Jr. struck out, and Brad Miller grounded into a 4–6–3 double play, ending the threat.

All that glitters isn’t gold, and a defensive miscue allowed Cleveland to threaten once once again when Austin Jackson hit a one-out, seventh inning flair into left-center. What should have been a base hit bounded past both Corey Dickerson and Mallex Smith, allowing Jackson to pull into third. And even though Snell pitched well enough to keep his team in the game, the defense let him down. Snell’s night was done after he posted a 6.1 IP/4 H/1 ER/2 BB/4 K line on 101 pitches (61 strikes).

Snell leaned heavily on his fastball (65 thrown, 36 strikes, five whiffs) to great effect. Even though he wasn’t pitch perfect (pun intended) — he didn’t rack up a ton of strikes, and he left more than a few pitches in the zone — Snell settled in, and more importantly, kept the ball in the park. The left-hander attributed his strong start to the game plan called by Jesus Sucre.

Kevin Cash called upon Tommy Hunter to get the final two outs of the frame. The right-hander got pinch-hitter Jay Bruce to pop out to short on the first pitch he saw. Then, after Yan Gomes worked the count full, Hunter struck out Cleveland’s backstop on a 98 mph middle-up fastball.

Hunter followed with a perfect eighth, helping set the table for a dramatic home half of the inning.

The Rays started their go-ahead rally against right-handed relief hurler Nick Goody. Adeiny Hechavarria worked the count full before he singled to left with one out. Hech swiped second, then went to third as the responding throw from Gomes skipped into centerfield.

With the infield in and a runner at third, Smith tried to put down a sacrifice bunt, yet popped it up down the third base line instead. Johnny Urshela charged in and appeared to have caught the ball, but it squirted free from under his arm. Suffice it to say, Smith caught a break. Now with two strikes against him, Smith again tried to lay down a bunt … and again popped it up, this time to first. Three infielders converged but on the ball, yet first baseman Carlos Santana took his eyes off of it, and the balled glanced off of his glove and bounded into foul territory. Regardless of the outcome, it was a bunt strikeout which stranded Hechavarria at third.

Jesus Sucre was hit hard by a pitch, bringing up Dickerson with runners on the corners. Mired in the throes of an extended skid, and an 0-for-4 night at the plate, Dickerson squared up the first pitch he saw and sent it just over the centerfield wall for the go ahead runs. It was his 21st homer of the season, and 69th RBI.

That’s what I’m expected to do, Corey said after the game. I expect it more than y’all or anybody else expect it out of me…I just tried to be my own self.

Now up by three, with the game on the line, Alex Colome entered in the ninth and plowed through the order for his 34th save of the season. Colome is now tied for the Major League lead in saves with Greg Holland (Rockies). It alsowas Colome’s 71st career save, tying him with Danys Baez for third all time saves leader for Tampa Bay.

The New What Next

The Rays will try to win their second game in a row on Friday with Jacob Faria (5-2, 2.81 ERA, 3.56 FIP) on the mound. He’ll start opposite of Carlos Carrasco (10-5, 4.06 ERA, 3.67 FIP).

Faria rebounded from a loss on Friday against the Brewers, notching a quality start while striking out nine over six innings of work. Unfortunately for the right-hander, the offense was blanked and he was tagged with a loss. Faria has nine quality starts in 11 outings.

Carrasco took the loss after he gave up five runs on six hits and two walks on Sunday. He struck out six. In 12 road starts this season, Carrasco is 7-2 with a 3.44 ERA and 77 strikeouts over 70-2/3 innings. However, the veteran right-hander has now allowed 10 earned runs over his last two starts (7-1/3 innings). He was pulled after just 3-2/3 innings of work against the Rays in May after he allowed five runs on six hits (including a homer) and three walks. Key Matchups: Brad Miller (3-5, HR, RBI), Logan Morrison (2-5, 2B, RBI), Trevor Plouffe (5-17, 2B, 3 RBI, BB)

You can read about the series in our preview.

Rays 8/11/17 Starting Lineup

Dickerson LF
Duda DH
Longoria 3B
Morrison 1B
Souza Jr RF
Miller 2B
Ramos C
Smith CF
Hechavarria SS
Faria RHP

Noteworthiness

— Kevin Kiermaier (hip, back) will restart his rehab tomorrow for the Stone Crabs as DH. He Will DH Saturday and Sunday, with the goal to play centerfield on Tuesday. He told Roger Mooney (Tampa Bay Times) his hip is fine, and his back is healthy. Kiermaier hopes to return from the DL during the Rays next homestand, a week from today.

— Matt Andriese (hip) will make a four inning rehab start for Stone Crabs tonight.

— The reports on Jośe De Leon … he was pulled the other day because of elbow tendinitis, and there is no structural damage. He left a Class-A rehab start with forearm tightness.

LBWMF: Tampa Bay Rays fall to Chris Sale and Boston, 2-0

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Austin Pruitt posted six innings of one-run ball against the Red Sox on Tuesday. (Photo Credit: Will Vragovic/Tampa Bay Times)

Chris Sale was at his best on Tuesday, dominating Tampa Bay over eight scoreless innings, while notching 12 strikeouts or more against the Rays for the sixth time in his career. Despite another strong start from Austin Pruitt, the Red Sox won the first of two against the Rays, 2–0.

It’s time for a segment I like to call The Good, the Bad, and the Argyle.

The Good

— Austin Pruitt nearly matched Chris Sale, working around a leadoff double to start the game, and facing just one over the minimum over the first three frames. Boston was able to touch the right-hander for a one-run rally (as described by Neil Solondz below), but he limited the damage, and worked around any trouble all night:

Dustin Pedroia walked on a 3–2 pitch to start the rally, and Andrew Benintendi followed with a single to center on an 0–2 pitch. Mookie Betts grounded into 6–4 fielder’s choice, putting runners at the corners. Rookie Rafael Devers grounded back to the mound, and Pruitt got the out at second, but his throw prevented Adeiny Hechavarria from making a relay throw, as Pedroia scored for a 1–0 advantage. Xander Bogaerts singled to right on a 2–2 pitch, but Pruitt limited damage by striking out Mitch Moreland.

Pruitt scattered seven hits (only one to the pull side) and one walk, while fanning five and holding the Red Sox to 0-for-8 wRISP.

— Sergio Romo did a heck of a job over 1-1/3 innings of work, giving up one hit and a deep fly ball out, while striking out one.

The Bad

— In the third inning, Pruitt induced a double play ball that would have erased the run-scoring rally. Unfortunately, Adeiny Hechavarria unable to turn the double play.

Hechavarria took a difficult bounce awkwardly, letting it get into his body, and was only able to get the force out at second. The botched double play immediately came back to haunt the Rays.

One batter later, Pruitt got Rafael Devers to weakly hit a comebacker to the mound. Pruitt knocked down the ball, then tried to throw to second — albeit somewhat up hill, thus effecting his footwork — to start an inning ending double play. His throw, however, was pulled to the shortstop side of the bag, forcing Hechavarria to dive for the catch and only the force out at second. A run scored of Devers’ fielder’s choice.

— With Logan Morrison on first in the seventh inning, Steven Souza Jr. decided to lay down a sacrifice bunt. The attempt failed when Mitch Moreland quickly fielded the hard hit bunt and fired off a throw to nab the lead runner. Souza, I know you haven’t hit a homer against a lefty this year, however, swing away!

The Argyle

— Mired in a five hits over his last 42 plate appearances slump, who of all people broke up Chris Sale’s no-hit bid? Wilson Ramos. Go Figure.

— Romo gave up a deep fly ball out to the left field wall, and it appeared to be gone. It wasn’t though, and Mallex Smith tracked the ball down and made a running catch at the wall. Apparently Jackie Bradley Junior, who was on first, also thought it was a homer, and as he stood at third base when Smith made, there was nothing he could do to get back to first … see, he never tagged up. Smith threw it back in to first to end the inning.

— The success in Pruitt’s ability to limit hard contact also came at his detriment. As I mentioned above all but one of the hits he allowed were either up the middle or to the big part of the field. Something all of the Rays pitchers have to do a better job with is keep opposing batters honest, by pitching them up and in from time to time.

Austin Pruitt vs RHH. (Credit: ESPN)

Austin Pruitt vs LHH. (Credit: ESPN)

The right-hander has good stuff, as exemplified by his previous two outings. He, however, does not have an overpowering fastball.  Simply put, if he cannot keep batters honest, he will get hammered when he leaves that mistake pitch in the heart of the zone.

The New What Next

The Rays will wrap up this short two-game series on Wednesday with Jake Odorizzi (6-4, 4.47 ERA, 5.74 FIP) on the mound. He’ll pitch opposite of Rick Porcello (5-14, 4.70 ERA, 4.33 FIP).

Odorizzi was activated from the disabled list (retroactive to July 25) after suffering a lower back strain. He allowed two runs on three hits and no walks, while striking out six over three innings in a rehab start for the Class-A Charlotte Stone Crabs on Friday. The right-hander told Kevin Cash, “I’m ready to go … I will be back in there next time my spot comes up, so no more rehab starts.” He also told Cash that he hadn’t this good in quite a while — validating the skipper’s decision to start him against Boston on Wednesday.

Porcello had his strongest outing of 2017 at the Trop on July 8, allowing one run on six hits while striking out seven in a season-high eight innings. He, however, took a loss. Porcello most recently allowed five runs on seven hits over 5-1/3 innings against the ChiSox. With a 4.70 ERA on the season, and a 2-9 record since May 28, the Rays should be able to be competitive against the right-hander. It bears mentioning, Porcello has dropped two out of his three starts against Tampa Bay this year. Key Matchups: Peter Bourjos (2-7), Corey Dickerson (8-29, 4 2B, HR, 3 RBI), Evan Longoria (14-53, 6 2B, 2 HR, 7 RBI, 3 BB), Brad Miller (8-29, 2 2B, 4 HR, 8 RBI, 2 BB), Mallex Smith (2-6, 3B), Steven Souza Jr. (8-27, HR, RBI, BB)

You can read about the series in our preview.

Rays 8/9/17 Starting Lineup

Dickerson LF
Duda 1B
Longoria 3B
Morrison DH
Souza Jr. RF
Miller 2B
Ramos C
Smith CF
Hechavvaria SS
Odorizzi RHP

LBWMF: Austin Pruitt, Rays blank the Astros at home, 3-0

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King Austin threw 6-1/3 scoreless innings Wednesday night. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)

Tampa Bay was able to get to Dallas Keuchel early, while right-hander Austin Pruitt posted the best big league outing of his career. When the dust had settled, the Rays walked out of Minute Maid Park with their second consecutive win, 3-0, and their fifth win in nine tries. They start the day a half game back of Kansas City for the last playoff spot, 2-1/2 games behind New York for the top Wildcard spot, and 3-1/2 back of the Red Sox in the AL East.

Considering the pitching line Pruitt has performed to this season, paired with the fact that the Rays were going up against one of the best pitchers in baseball, a Rays win probably didn’t appear in anybody’s crystal ball. Yet low and behold Pruitt went 6-1/3 innings, outlasted Keuchel, and worked around just five hits and a walk, while striking out three.

Pruitt’s biggest jam came in the third inning after Alex Bregman doubled to left and Jake Marisnick bunted toward the mound. Pruitt fielded the ball and threw to third in an attempt to get the lead runner. But Bregman avoided a tag from Evan Longoria putting runners on the corners with none out. Pruitt bared down, however, and struck out Derek Fisher for the first out of the frame. Three pitches later, Pruitt got Jose Altuve to ground into a 4–3 double play, ending the threat.

Pruitt also cajoled another huge double play to end the sixth, getting Yuri Gurriel to ground into a 5-4-3 twin-killing with runners at first and second and one out.

All of the the hits Pruitt surrendered led off an inning, yet the right-hander played off of Houston’s aggressiveness and pitched to the margins. In doing so he induced weak contact and coaxed mishits, held the Astros to 0-for-6 wRISP — Houston went 0-for-9 overall — and kept his pitch count low. In the battle for Texas, Austin reigned supreme over Dallas.

Meanwhile, the Rays took a first inning lead and never looked back. Trevor Plouffe lined a one-out single to left, before Logan Morrison drilled a two-run homer to right.

It was the second homer in as many days for Morrison (his 28th of the season) and just the eighth allowed by Keuchel this year.

Tampa Bay was able to tack on an insurance run in the third inning after Wilson Ramos worked a full count walk ahead of Adeiny Hechavarria, who singled to right. Brad Miller also singled to right, driving home The Buffalo from second.

Kevin Cash went to the bullpen one out into the seventh after Pruitt gave up a leadoff double to Marwin Gonzalez, then got Carlos Beltran to pop out to left. Steve Cishek took over and walked Brian McCann, but got Alex Bregman to bounce into an inning-ending 6–3 double play — the third double play turned by the Rays.

Cishek took the mound once more in the eighth and quickly got the first two outs of the inning. However, the side-armer made an errant throw on Altuve’s bunt toward the mound, and he ended up at second. Cash called upon Dan Jennings to face the switch hitting pinch-hitter Evan Gattis. After Altuve swiped third uncontested, Jennings got Gattis to pop out to end the threat.

Finally, Alex Colome worked around a one-out walk to earn his 32nd save.

Tampa Bay Rays on Twitter

Those two guys are paying great dividends.” https://t.co/pSDhDNz7p4

Credit where it’s due, Colome got (more than) a little help from Hechavarria, who robbed Beltran of a one-out hit.

The New What Next

The Rays and Astros wrap up the season series on Thursday when Blake Snell (0-6, 4.87 ERA, 5.08 FIP) takes the mound, opposite of right-hander Collin McHugh (0-0, 4.22 ERA, 4.65 FIP).

Snell has fared better since making an adjustment two games ago, moving from the third-base side of the rubber to the center. The southpaw allowed three runs over 5-1/3 innings in his most recent outing on Saturday. Despite the fact that he is still searching for his first win of the season, there were some positive takeaways for Snell in his last start, as he limited damage and walked only two.

McHugh made his second start of the season (after missing the first half with an elbow injury) on Saturday, tossing six innings of one-run, four hit ball. He struck out seven. The right-hander sailed through the first four frames before he allowed a run in the fifth inning. So far this season he has relied upon a 92 mph four-seam fastball with average velocity, an 80 mph whiffy slider that sweeps across the zone, and a whiffy 76 mph curveball slight glove-side movement. He’s also mixed in a 91 mph sinker from time-to-time when he needs a weak popper. Even though he’s performed to a 2.52 ERA against Tampa Bay, he’s lost all four career starts against the Rays. Key Matchups: Adeiny Hechavarria (1-3), Logan Morrison (4-13, 4 HR, 7 RBI, 3 BB)

You can read about the series in our preview.

Rays 8/3/17 Starting Lineup

Dickerson LF
Duda 1B
Longoria 3B
Morrison DH
Souza RF
Miller 2B
Ramos C
Smith CF
Hechavarria SS
Snell LHP

Noteworthiness

— Souza has reportedly tested his left foot running this afternoon, and said more than likely he’ll play tonight. He told reporters there is still some discomfort, however, it’s muted by the peace of mind of a negative MRI.

— The Rays received good news during ball game. Steven Souza Jr., who is dealing with a sore foot after fouling a ball off of it, was a late scratch from the lineup on Wednesday. Souza was sent for more tests on his foot, and the results came back negative.

— Jake Odorizzi’s bullpen session at Tropicana Field reportedly went well, and he could rejoin the rotation as soon as Tuesday.

— After a nine inning rehab game for the Durham Bulls, Daniel Robertson (neck) will be reassessed to see if he could be activated from the DL.

— Thursday marks the first day post-trade deadline that players can clear waivers and be available to be dealt.

LBWMF: Archer, Rays bounce back with 6-4 win against the Astros

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Not only did Evan Longoria hit for the cycle, he also became the Rays all-time leader with 766 runs scored. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)

The Rays plated six runs on Tuesday, and Evan Longoria became the second player in franchise history to hit for the cycle, as Tampa Bay hung on to beat the AL leading Astros, 6–4. The Rays are now four games behind the Red Sox in the AL East, and just 1-1/2 games behind the Royals in the Wildcard race.

Tampa Bay took the lead in the first inning after Lucas Duda hit a one-out single to second, then was wild pitched to second by right-hander Mike Fiers. Longoria followed with a moonshot to left — off the train above the Crawford Boxes — his 17th home run of the season. Not one to be outdone, Logan Morrison crushed a no doubter to right field — his 27th homer of the season.

It was a Major League Baseball leading 12th time the Rays have gone back to back this season.

They then were able to extend the lead two innings later. With none on and one out, Duda doubled to left before Longoria tripled him home to make it a four-run game. Adeiny Hechavarria capped the scoring with a two-out single, extending the lead to 5–0. Unfortunately Brad Miller — doing his best impersonation of Tim Beckham — was thrown out at third on the play to end the inning.

From that point on Fiers buckled down and kept the Astros in the ball game, benefitting from double-plays in the fourth and fifth innings, and working around a leadoff walk in the sixth.

Meanwhile, Chris Archer cruised through the first four innings, giving up just one single. He, however, found himself in deep counts against a team that has struck out the fewest times in all of baseball. That, paired with some loud contact, speaks to the fact that Archer really wasn’t that dominant.

To be fair, Archer owes Peter Bourjos (who handled one of those rather loud outs) a beer. Alex Bregman took Archer deep to center to leadoff the third, yet Bourjos leaped and made a spectacular catch before crashing into the wall.

Archer could only keep Houston off the board for so long, and the Astros began a comeback effort in the fifth inning after Carlos Beltran hit a one-out homer (his 13th homer of the season). Then with two outs, Bregman homered into the Crawford Boxes in left, making it a 5–2 ball game.

The Rays were able answer in the seventh inning. With one out, Corey Dickerson walked chasing Fiers. Against southpaw Reymin Guduan, Duda fell one foot shy of hitting his fourth home run in five days. Thankfully Longoria and Morrison hit back-to-back singles, plating Dickerson and putting the Rays up again by four. That insurance run was important, because the Astros rallied for a pair of runs in the bottom of the inning.

The lineup turned over for the third time in the sixth inning, yet Archer made it through that frame unscathed. However, knowing his propensity to jump the shark the third time though the order, it was rather shocking to see him back out on the mound to start the seventh. Forget not that Archer has performed to a .321 BA/.392 OBP/.509 SLG/.901 OPS/.386 wOBA slash line the third time through the order this season.

Marwin Gonzalez made the most of Kevin Cash’s gift with a double to left, then scored on Beltran’s single to center. Archer’s night was done.

Steve Cishek entered in relief and quickly gave up a line drive double to Evan Gattis, putting a pair of runners into scoring position. Bregman followed by hitting an RBI dribbler to first that scored a run on the first out of the inning. After Jake Marisnick popped out to second, Dan Jennings entered the game to face LHH Derek Fisher … and walked him on five pitches.

With the productive right-handed hitter Jose Altuve making his way into the batter’s box, Cash called upon the Rays best reliever Tommy Hunter, who got him to ground out to short. Hunter followed a perfect eighth — the seventh time this season he didn’t allow a run, and got four outs or more. Finally, Alex Colome followed with an efficient and perfect ninth for his 31st save of the season.

As for Longoria…

Longoria homered in the first, tripled in the third, singled in the seventh, and doubled in the ninth — joining BJ Upton, who hit for the cycle on October 2, 2009, as the second Ray to hit for the cycle. While Longoria was originally called out at second, the play was overturned after a crew chief review. That became the first cycle under the current replay system (2014-) that involved umpire review/manager challenge on any of the hits.

The New What Next

The Rays look to make it two straight with a win at Minute Maid Park tonight. Austin Pruitt (5-2, 6.63 ERA, 4.13 FIP) will get the start for Tampa Bay, pitching opposite of Dallas Keuchel (9-0, 1.94 ERA, 3.31 FIP).

Pruitt made his first start of the season on Friday in place of the injured Jake Odorizzi. The right-hander gave up three homers and five runs (all earned) over five innings against Masahiro Tanaka and the Yankees.

Keuchel made his first big league start since June 2 on Friday. He needed 63 pitches to get through two innings and ultimately lasted only three, allowing three runs in his only start in which he did not notch a win. Keuchel won’t overpower opposing batters — among 94 of the pitchers who qualify for the ERA title this season, the southpaw is ranked 88th in velocity at 88.7 mph — rather the name of his game is command and control of the zone. He, however, is 1-4 with a 4.70 ERA in seven career starts against Tampa Bay. Key Matchups: Tim Beckham (4-7, 2B, 3B, RBI, BB), Corey Dickerson (1-3), Adeiny Hechavarria (1-3), Evan Longoria (5-18, 2 RBI), Brad Miller (4-13, RBI, 2 BB), Logan Morrison (3-9, 2B), Steven Souza Jr. (2-5)

You can read more about the series sin our preview.

Rays 8/2/17 Starting Lineup

Dickerson LF
Plouffe 1B
Longoria 3B
Morrison DH
Ramos C
Hechavarria SS
Miller 2B
Bourjos CF
Smith RF
Pruitt RHP

Noteworthiness

— Steven Souza Jr. is again a late scratch from the lineup as he is still dealing with a sore foot after he fouled a ball off of it on Sunday in the Bronx. The Rays are sending Souza for more tests on his foot right now, and are hoping it’s nothing more than a bruise.

— Kevin Kiermaier’s return to the lineup will be delayed past his August 8 target due to back trouble. As Marc Topkin (Tampa Bay Times) wrote, Kiermaier is experiencing significant pain in his lower back.

Kiermaier has been having “siginificant pain” when bending to field ground balls, manager Kevin Cash said, and has been shut down from all baseball activities for the rest of the week.

“Little movements are grabbing him,” Cash said. “I don’t think this is a major thing but it is going to derail Aug. 8-9 I would think.”