(Photo Credit: The Associated Press)

…In the bottom of the inning, with the Tampa Bay Rays ahead by a run, Rays skipper Kevin Cash made a difficult decision — keep closer Alex Colome on the mound for the second-straight inning.


Source: FanGraphs

The decision proved costly. Colome has not fared well in these types of situations, and true to form the right-hander was not sharp. He allowed two hits and two walks, and subsequently gave up the lead on a sacrifice-fly. This, after El Caballo blew a two inning save on April 23rd (vs. the Astros) when he allowed a run on two hits and a walk over a pair of innings.

I’ve asked a lot of Alex, there is no doubt about that, Cash said in his post game presser. He’s thrown a lot for us. I knew I was stretching him, but you want your best guy out there when the game is on the line. so extremely happy with the way he performed. I’d asked a lot of him going into that. His workload has been fairly heavy. … We’ve asked a lot. Alex is going to take the ball anytime you ask him so it’s kind of on me to manage that.

Without a lefty pen, Cash made the decision to go with de facto LOOGY, summoning Danny Farquhar to face Seth Smith.

Smith worked a four-pitch walk, completing a late inning rally for the Orioles for the win.

Cash did an excellent job managing the ‘pen on Tuesday, however, his decisions last night and Monday absolutely were part and parcel for why the Rays lost both of those contests.

Looking for a more expansive game summery? Check out:

DRaysBay

Rays Radio blog

Tampa Bay Times

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