Jake Odorizzi has now gone three consecutive starts without allowing a run (20-2/3 scoreless innings overall. Odo gave up just two hits and two walks while striking out six, and didn’t allow a runner to get beyond second base.
#Rays record for consecutive scoreless innings by a P is 27 1/3 by (now #Dodgers) J.P. Howell in 2012. For starter, 24 2/3 by Cobb in 2014
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) August 4, 2016
After the righty posted a perfect first inning, Logan Forsythe kicked off the offensive avalanche with a double to left-center off Edison Volquez. Kevin Kiermaier, hitting second for the second straight day, followed with a single to left-center to put runners the corners for Evan Longoria, who hit a line drive sacrifice-fly to right field for an early lead. Brad Miller was next, and he hit a grounder just wide of first, while Volquez was late covering the bag, allowing Miller to reach on an infield RBI hit. Steven Souza Jr. capped the rally with a three-run homer to left — his first since June fourth.
Miller extended the lead in the third inning with a 436 foot homer to center in the third inning — his 18th homer of the season, and the 17th as a shortstop, extending the franchise mark.
Brad Miller’s 18th HR, a #Rays shortstop record, was struck to the tune of 436 feet, per @Statcast! #RaysUp, 5-0! pic.twitter.com/JL59nXlItV
— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) August 4, 2016
Nick Franklin helped add to the lead in the fifth after Miller reached on an error by Volquez to lead off the inning. Miller moved up to second on Corey Dickerson’s groundout before Franklin singled up the middle to make it 6-0.
3 hits + 1 dab = 4 hits.#RaysUp pic.twitter.com/hnzLc72nYf
— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) August 4, 2016
One run of support — much less six — was more than enough for Odorizzi, who was excellent. Aside from a 20+ pitch sixth inning, the righty was efficient, throwing 14 of 22 first pitch strikes, and 68 strikes out of 108 total pitches (64% K%) over the span of his outing. The first walk he allowed in three starts came with two outs in the fourth inning against Eric Hosmer, while the two hits he allowed were scattered singles in the second and sixth innings respectively. Odo’s split-change was impressive, as it danced all over the the zone to the dismay of the Royals batters, who whiffed at it eight times total and three times for strike three.
Tampa Bay blew the game wide open in the sixth, and it all began with single to left (Curt Casali) and a walk (Forsythe), which signaled the end of Volquez’s night. The Outlaw welcomed reliever Chien-Ming Wang with a three-run homer, that landed near the Dan Johnson seat in right field, giving the Rays a hefty nine-run advantage. They weren’t done though! Tampa Bay put up two more runs on a Wang error, and a Tim Beckham RBI groundout.
Dickerson plated the final run of the contest in the seventh, on a bases-loaded walk. All told, with the exception of Beckham, everyone in the lineup reached base Wednesday night. Credit where it’s due, T-Bex was able to drive in a run.
The tandem of Enny Romero and Ryan Garton followed with three perfect innings to complete the shutout.
Tampa Bay entered the game with an 0-5 record against the World Series champs, and a -16 run differential — having been outscored 28-12. They ended the night with a -4 run differential, with one game left to be played against Kansas City.
The New What
Drew Smyly (2-11, 5.42 ERA) will take the mound against Ian Kennedy (6-9, 4.41 ERA) in the season finale against the Royals. Smyly snapped an 11-start winless streak Saturday against the Yankees, collecting his second straight quality start. He has allowed a career-high 22 homers this season; five of which against lefties. In 14 games vs. the Royals, Smyly is 4-2 with a 4.09 ERA. Kennedy is coming off no-decision against the Rangers in which he allowed just one run over seven innings. He, however, has allowed a Major League co-leading 26 homers. Kennedy is 1-4 with a 5.40 in seven starts against Tampa Bay. You can read about the pitching matchup in our series preview.
Rays 8/4/16 Starting Lineup
Noteworthiness
— Three Rays are set to make rehab appearances for the advanced Class-A Stone Crabs Thursday night. Alex Cobb (Tommy John surgery) is slated to throw three innings in his fourth rehab start, Matt Duffy (Achilles strain) will slot in at shortstop, and OF Mikie Mahtook (left hand fracture), who went 1-for-3 Wednesday in right, will be the designated hitter.