Brandon Gomes (1-1, 7.71 ERA) was optioned to triple-A Durham after last nights tough 4-3 loss to the A’s. Earlier today is was announced that Cesar Ramos (2-1, 1 Sv, 1.69 ERA in Durham) would get the call up in Gomes place. Gomes posted a 4.2 IP/7.71 ERA/4 H/4 ER line, with six walks and six strikeouts in the five games he appeared in in his most recent stint with the Rays. Ramos has appeared in 12 games, so far in 2012 with the Durham Bulls, and has a very good 1.69 ERA. Ramos has given up seven hits, including three home runs, while striking out 15 in 16 innings of work. It’s not known whether Ramos will be available today.
The Rays go into today’s game 0.5 games ahead of the Orioles with a 19-9 record. They will attempt to take the rubber game of this three game set against the A’s, ahead of their series against the Evil Empire in New York on Tuesday.
Matt Moore (1-1, 4.20) will try to put a tepid April behind him today. Moore gave up 14 runs on 32 hits, including five home runs, in 30 innings of work throughout the month of April. He is a notoriously slow starter in the month of April. Though I’m not certain if only six days removed from the fourth month of the year would really make a noticeable difference in his performance, his past numbers speak for themselves and far be it from me to discredit those stats. Moore is averaged six innings per start throughout April, and he will need to be much more efficient today. To compensate for a taxed bullpen following last nights marathon, Moore will need to work into (at least) the seventh inning.
Rookies starter Tommy Milone (3-2, 3.69 ERA) will toe the rubber for the A’s. Milone has posted some good numbers in the five games and 31 innings he’s appeared this season. He’s given up 13 earned runs on 25 hits, including four home runs and seven walks, while striking out 18. With an almost three-to-one K/BB ratio, and a 0.3 WAR, the Rays may have their hands full today. Milone is primarily a fastball/change-up pitcher. Last night we all saw what well placed fastballs, peppered with a few good change-ups, could do to Tampa Bay. To the Rays credit, they were able to get 11 hits and three walks off of the A’s. However, they left 10 on base last night, including a great many RISP. There is a positive; Milone, like Moore, is averaging six innings per start. That is to say, he hasn’t been the pillar of efficiency in 2012. If the Rays can get to him early while also working the count, they could knock him out early, forcing the A’s to rely on a tired bullpen of their own. Today’s starting lineup is below. Let’s get that sixth series win of the season! As always, Let’s Go Rays!
