After falling to the Washington Nationals on Tuesday, 4-3, the Tampa Bay Rays look for a series split this afternoon in the nation’s capital. Tampa Bay has dropped seven consecutive road games after starting the season 24-10 away from the Trop, while Washington now has won 13 of 16.
Rich Hill got the start on Tuesday and gave up four runs on eight hits and a walk while striking out two across six innings. Hill surrendered three homers over the first two frames and appeared destined for a short outing, although he settled down and was able to keep the Nationals off the board for the next four innings. As it turns, when the left-hander entered the dugout after the second inning, pitching coach Kyle Snyder alerted him that he was tipping his pitches when he brought his arms over his head.
Thankfully, we caught it. We were able to make an adjustment. Just — it’s one of those things, it’s tough to swallow. … I think it’s just frustrating. I expect better, expect more out of myself. I wear my emotions on my sleeve. So I’m not going to apologize for that. I really don’t care. Putting us in that position sucks.
— Rich Hill
Hill has scuffled across his past four outings having allowed 13 runs with a 1.7 K/BB. On the season, the veteran maintains a 3.70 ERA and a 4.56 FIP, with a 1.11 WHIP and a 2.67 K/BB across 82-2/3 innings.
It bears mentioning that Hill hasn’t thrown this many innings in over three seasons, and some ill effects may be manifesting. Of note, his fastball velocity has been in a steady decline of late:
Meanwhile, a four-run cushion proved to be enough for National’s starter, Joe Ross, who didn’t allow a run until the fifth inning when Brandon Lowe homered to center.
Then in the sixth, the Rays cut the lead to two runs on a pair of doubles from Meadows and Kevin Kiermaier.
Mike Zunino also made things interesting in the ninth inning when he launched a leadoff homer off the fair pole in left against Brad Hand, who then retired the last three batters in a row to end the contest.
Prior to all that, Tampa Bay rallied in the third inning thanks to a perfect bunt single laid down by Hill, who subsequently ended up at second on the throw over to first. However, with runners on the corners and two outs, Austin Meadows struck out to end the threat.
They also mounted a rally in the seventh inning when Brett Phillips walked against Ross, and pinch-hitter Yandy Díaz singled against left-hander Sam Clay. Yet Mike Brosseau and Wander Franco each grounded out to end the threat.
All told, the Rays went 1-for-10 wRISP and stranded seven runners on the base paths.
The New What Next
The Rays will close out the series with right-hander Michael Wacha (1-2, 4.66 ERA) pitching behind Drew Rasmussen, who will open the contest. He’ll pitch opposite of veteran left-hander Jon Lester (1-3, 4.99 ERA).
Michael Wacha was fantastic on Thursday against Boston, tossing five innings of one-hit ball, walking two while striking out seven. Wacha went head-to-head with Nick Pivetta in a terrific bounce-back effort after the right-hander was hammered for 11 hits and five earned runs over 3-2/3 innings by Seattle. Through 13 outings (11 starts) this season, Wacha is 1-2 with a 4.66 ERA, a 4.08 FIP, a 1.30 WHIP, and 2.79 K/BB across 48-1/3 innings.
Jon Lester allowed seven runs on five hits and three walks across just 2-1/3 innings Friday against the Marlins. He struck out one. Lester tossed 64 pitches in his woeful outing and missed the strike zone 29 times (55% strike rate). The southpaw also snapped a streak of five consecutive appearances allowing two runs or fewer. One of those outings came against the Rays when he limited Tampa Bay to one run on four hits across 3-2/3 innings back on June 8. However, it should also be noted that the Rays chased him two outs into the fourth after forcing 91 pitches from the veteran hurler. Look for them to be very patient against Lester once again. Through 11 starts this season, Lester is 1-3 with a 4.99 ERA and a 5.15 FIP, a 1.53 WHIP, and 1.80 K/BB across 52-1/3 innings. Key Matchups: Randy Arozarena (1-2), Yandy Diaz (1-2), Manuel Margot (7-13, HR, RBI), Austin Meadows (3-8, 2B, 3B, HR, RBI), Francisco Mejia (1-3, 2B, RBI), Michael Wacha (2-3)*, Mike Zunino (3-5, 3 BB)
*It’s not often that I get to highlight a pitcher as a key matchup, yet here we are.
You can read about the series in our preview, while the starting lineup and Noteworthiness are below.
Rays 6/30/21 Starting Lineup
- Margot RF
- Arozarena LF
- Franco SS
- Díaz 3B
- Choi 1B
- Zunino C
- Kiermaier CF
- Brosseau 2B
- Rasmussen RHP
Noteworthiness
— The Rays have placed RHP Ryan Thompson (right shoulder inflammation) on the 10-day Injured List, retroactive to June 28th, and recalled LHP Ryan Sherriff from Triple-A Durham.
The 29-year-old Thompson has appeared in 36 games this season, notching a 3-2 record with a 2.38 ERA, striking out 37 in 34 innings of work and walking just nine.