The Tampa Bay Rays put a lot of early traffic on the base paths against Max Scherzer on Monday, however, they couldn’t move ’em over or move ’em home before the right-hander found his rhythm. The Rays dropped the first of two road games against the Nationals, 6-1; it is only the third road loss for Tampa Bay in the last 17 games away from the friendly confines of Tropicana Field.
The Rays enter play Tuesday 14 games over .500 with 18 left to play.
Charlie Morton got the start for Tampa Bay, and even though he allowed three runs on four hits and a walk over five innings of work, he took a big step forward in his second start off the Injured List. Morton — who went two-plus innings and threw 36 pitches in his last turn on the mound — worked five efficient innings on Monday. Morton threw 45 of 57 pitches for strikes (79% strike rate) and retired his final seven batters.
The Nationals plated the first run of the game in the second inning after Josh Harrison walked on four pitches, then went to third when Eric Thames singled over the head of Kevin Kiermaier in centerfield. Morton was able to get Carter Kieboom to ground to short, yet Kieboom beat out the potential double play as Harrison scored for a one-run lead.
Washington struck for two more runs in the third inning. Victor Robles doubled to left-center and moved up to third when Adam Eaton hit a foul fly-ball to right. Trea Turner followed with an RBI base hit to left, pushing the Nationals lead to two. Two batters later, Kurt Suzuki sliced a double down the left-field line, driving home Turner from a 3-0 lead.
Meanwhile, Tampa Bay mounted threats in each of the first three frames against Max Scherzer. However, after getting a runner to second with one out in each of those innings, the Rays were unable to advance or score him.
Scherzer ultimately posted seven or more innings for just the third time in nine starts, scattering six hits and walking one while striking out seven. Mad Max didn’t allow a runner past second, holding the Rays to 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position. Scherzer threw 70 of 104 pitches for strikes (67% strike rate) overall.
Trevor Richards — who has allowed fewer than two runs in just two outings this season — relieved Morton in the sixth inning. And given what I just wrote, that he allowed the Nationals to put the game out of reach should come as no surprise. Brock Holt doubled to right on the first pitch from Richards then went to third on a check-swing single to right by Suzuki. Harrison followed with an RBI base hit, putting Washington up by four. Thames followed with a slow grounder into the shift. Willy Adames was able to tag Harrison for the first out, with Suzuki moving into third. Yet Richards walked Kieboom, loading the bases before Michael A. Taylor hit a jam shot into right for a two-run double, putting the reigning World Series champs up by six.
Richards was able to finish the game, allowing the Rays to use just two pitchers. Following the contest, the Rays optioned Richards to the alternate site in Port Charlotte to clear room for on the active roster Ryan Yarbrough, who will be activated from the IL on Tuesday.
The Rays were able to plate a run in the eighth inning when Randy Arozarena homered to left off Tanner Rainey, thus averting a shutout. Arozarena has hit three homers in the last two games, and four overall. He’s now 8-for-17 since being promoted from the alternate site.
Things did get interesting with two outs in the ninth inning against Will Harris. After going hitless since he was promoted from the alternate site last week, Nate Lowe finally got the monkey off his back with a double before Kevan Smith and Austin Meadows earned a pair of free passes, loading the bases. Yet Harris was pulled in favor of Daniel Hudson, who struck out Arozarena on four pitches to end the game.
Flush it.
The New What Next
The Rays will wrap up the short two-game set on Tuesday with left-hander Ryan Yarbrough (0-2, 3.65 ERA) on the mound. He’ll pitch opposite of right-hander Aníbal Sánchez (1-4, 6.48 ERA).
In his last start before hitting the IL Ryan Yarbrough (groin tightness) tossed 6-2/3 scoreless innings, allowing four hits and no walks while striking out five. Yarbrough threw a successful bullpen session Friday, according to Rays manager Kevin Cash.
The bullpen went really, really well. I spoke with (pitching coach Kyle Snyder) during the game. He said (Yarbrough) looked great. I think now it’s just a matter of him going through the bullpen and us finding where we’re going to slot him back in.
— Kevin Cash
Aníbal Sánchez allowed four runs (one earned) on eight hits and one walk while striking out one across 3-1/3 innings against the Phillies on Thursday. Sánchez was the victim of poor defense although he didn’t pitch particularly well. He allowed a home run to Rhys Hoskins and has now surrendered at least one homer in five of his seven starts this season. Sanchez also generated only eight called strikes and six swinging strikes across 74 total pitches. He now has a 6.48 ERA with a 2.4 K/BB across 33-1/3 innings this season. Sanchez relies primarily on an 82 mph changeup with some natural sink to it, an 89 mph four-seam fastball with a little natural movement, and an 88 mph cutter with good “rise”, while also mixing in a 76 mph 12-6 curveball with little depth, an 89 mph sinker little sink and arm-side run, and a 69 mph splitter. He is 3-4 with a 5.61 ERA in nine outings (51-1/3 IP) against Tampa Bay. Key Matchup: Kevin Kiermaier (2-7, 2B, 3B)
You can read about the series in our preview, while the starting lineup and Noteworthiness are below.
Rays 9/9/20 Starting Lineup
- Meadows DH
- B. Lowe 2B
- Arozarena LF
- Choi 1B
- Tsutsugo 3B
- Margot RF
- Kiermaier CF
- Adames SS
- Perez C
Noteworthiness
— Well said: