Steven Souza Jr. reacts after striking out swinging in the eighth inning with two on and two outs. (Photo Credit: Will Vragovic/Tampa Bay Times)

The Tampa Bay Rays dropped their fourth consecutive game Tuesday night, 4-2, because when you go 1-for-7 wRISP, and strand 11 runners on base, you don’t win games.

The Rays and White Sox traded runs in the first after Yolmer Sanchez hit was was ruled a leadoff homer to center field off Chris Archer, that was said to have hit a ring. Sanchez’s 63 foot liner knuckled its way out to centerfield, fooling Kevin Kiermaier as the ball landed 30 feet away from him. Sanchez coasted into third with a standup triple, however, the third base umpire inexplicably signaled home run, saying the ball hit a catwalk.

Tampa Bay disputed the call, yet it stood. The phantom catwalks strike again?

In the bottom of the frame against Jose Quintana, Corey Dickerson came up with a one out hustle double to right-center, and then scored on a bloop single to right by Evan Longoria — knotting the score at one for the next six innings. That’s not to say the Rays didn’t have chances to plate runs, because they did. Rather they couldn’t capitalize on those opportunities.

Tampa Bay loaded the bases in the fifth on three walks (one intentional) and an error, yet Quintana struck out Logan Morrison — who finished the night by going 0-for-5 with three strikeouts — to end that rally. Inning over, lots of chicken left on the bone.

Then in the sixth, Tim Beckham walked against Quintana, and Kiermaier grounded a single to right. Both runners were wild pitched into scoring position, however, Rickie Weeks Jr. struck out for the first out of the inning. And while Quintana finished May with a 1-3 record and a 5.91 ERA, and was 2-7 with a 5.60 ERA/4.30 FIP overall, he held the Rays to just one run despite allowing eight base runners to reach.

Chris Beck entered the game and intentionally walked pinch-hitter Brad Miller to load the bases, yet after falling behind Jesus Sucre 3-and-0, Beck got Sucre to ground into a 6–4–3 double play. Inning over, lots of chicken left on the bone.

Avisail Garcia then rudely welcomed Archer to the top of the seventh by blasting a 1–0 slider well into the left field seats. That spoiled what otherwise was a good night for the right-hander, who fanned 11 batters over seven innings while scattering five hits and allowing zero free passes. Archer cajoled the ChiSox into whiffing 18 times and still only needed 103 pitches to get through seven frames. He now has collected double digit strikeouts in five of his last seven starts.

In the bottom of the frame, the Rays drew a leadoff walk, but never moved Steven Souza Jr. past first. Inning over, chicken left on the bone

Down by one, Kevin Cash handed the ball over to Tommy Hunter to maintain the deficit. Hunter allegedly misunderstood the strategy though, and Chicago tacked on a run on Jose Abreu’s two out-single to right. That brought home Leury Garcia, who initially reached on a walk then moved to third on an errant pickoff throw.

Now down by a pair, Tampa Bay mounted one last rally against Tommy Kahnle in the bottom of the frame. Beckham reached on an infield single, the went to second on Kiermaier’s base hit up the middle. A passed ball moved both runners into scoring position. Pinch-hitter Colby Rasmus stepped into the batter’s box in place of Weeks, who went 0’fer for the night including three strikeouts. Rasmus hit a bullet down the line but right at Abreau at first, and the runners couldn’t advance.

Following Rasmus, Miller was intentionally walked once again, loading the bases yet again. Sucre came up big with a sacrifice-fly to right which also allowing Kiermaier to move up 90 feet. After Miller swiped second, Souza struck out to end the threat. Inning over, lots of chicken left on the bone

Chicago capped the scoring in the top of the ninth inning against Ryan Garton when Todd Frazier homered to centerfield. The late runs against Hunter an Garton just reinforced a recurring narrative: starting pitching gets the ball to the relievers, who either squander a lead or kill any chance at a rally.

The New What Next

The Rays will try to regain their winning ways on Wednesday when right-handed Jacob Faria (6-1, 3.07 ERA, 3.22 FIP) makes his big league debut opposite fellow righty Mike Pelfrey (2-4, 3.86 ERA, 4.67 FIP).

The Rays have promoted Jacob Faria in an effort to rest an overtaxed rotation. Calling up Faria for a spot start on Wednesday allows the Rays to get an extra day of rest for Alex Cobb, Jake Odorizzi and Erasmo Ramirez. Faria has been successful in the minors because of the downward plane his length and mechanics create on his fastball, paired with strong velocity (averaging 93-94 mph) and some movement. His changeup boasts diving action that causes hitters to whiff over the top of it, and it plays up because of the deception created by his delivery and mechanics. His curveball is more of a show-me pitch, but he is able to throw it for strikes, and when he throws it down in the zone, it can generate ground balls.

Pelfrey left his last start with a five inning two-hitter, and a one-run lead, yet finished with a no-decision because the White Sox’s bullpen couldn’t hold the lead. This season he has relied upon his 93 mph sinker with arm side run, an 83 mph splitter which dives out of the zone, a whiffy 71 mph curveball, and an 84 mph slider with 12-6 movement. Pelfrey has a 3.86 ERA/4.67 FIP in eight starts, and is 0-1 with a 4.43 ERA in four starts against Tampa Bay. Key matchups: Corey Dickerson (1-3, 2B), Evan Longoria (4-11, 2B, HR, 2 RBI, BB), Michael Martinez (3-7, HR, 4 RBI), Colby Rasmus (4-12, HR, 3 RBI, 2 BB)

You can read more about the series in our preview.

Rays 6/7/17 Starting Lineup

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

Noteworthiness

— One positive from the game, the Rays had two strike ‘em out/throw ‘em out double plays by Archer, Sucre and Beckham last night.

— With Faria being called up, Cash said in his post game presser that Michael Martinez would be designated for assignment. However, there has been a change of plans. The Rays instead placed INF Brad Miller on the 10-day DL with a right groin strain to make room for Faria.

Miller had gone hitless in nine plate appearances since being activated from the DL on June 2nd, after suffering a mild abdominal strain. He also made a pair of critical fielding gaffes in his return to action Friday night. Daniel Robertson, who’s shown to be more than capable of fielding second base, will again fill in  the injured Miller.

— Derek Norris is being investigated by Major League Baseball after his ex-fiance made allegations of physical and emotional abuse.

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