The Tampa Bay Rays took the second game of their series with the Cleveland Indians Saturday night in convincing fashion, pounding Francona’s boys by a score of 7-1. Erik Bedard put together his second consecutive quality start, an excellent 6 IP/1 H outing — giving Tampa Bay the opportunity to win the series Sunday, in the series finale. Of honesty and hangovers… My attention was divided between watching the game and playing a show in Melbourne. Our staff contributor, Michael Nazarro, wasn’t able to watch any of the game either. What follows is a very rudimentary game recap.
With the fourth consecutive loss still fresh in our minds, Erik Bedard took the hill to face the red-hot Cleveland Indians. And though Bedard has been pitching very well, especially of late, I still questioned whether his success was sustainable. After all, this is the same pitcher who hadn’t won a game since 2012, prior to his quality start last week; the same pitcher whose velocity has been on a steady decline over the past few seasons; the same pitcher who’s become a soft contact coaxing hurler.
My oh my, was I ever wrong. Bedard quelled those fears by tossing a superb 6 IP/1 H/0 R/3 BB/4 K/101 pitches (60 strikes, 59.4 K%)/3 GBO/9 FBO game. Things looked a bit shaky in the front two innings, with the lefty throwing 40+ pitches and showing signs he might not make it past the fourth. But Bedard settled in and attacked the zone with his fastball and change-up. He changed speeds and induced a lot of lazy flyballs — nine to be exact. In short, Bedard did what he’s want to do when he’s on — force weak contact. Bedard held the opposition to one run or less for the third consecutive game, all coming after allowing nine runs in his first three outings of the year.
The offense broke out Saturday, tagging the Indians for seven runs on 10 hits. What follows in a montage of some of those offensive highlights:
Evan Longoria did what he should, smacking an RBI double in the fifth inning:
James Loney went 3-4 with two-RBI and a run. Here’s a look at his second RBI base hit:
Despite a thumb contusion and being listed as day-to-day, Yunel Escobar came up big with a two-out opposite field RBI single in the fourth:
All told, the Rays were impressive Saturday, going 4-6 wRISP and touching the Indians for three extra base hits.
The new What Next
Chris Archer will attempt to cap off what has been a lackluster home stand with a win Sunday, in the series finale. He’ll be opposed by Mike Tomlin. A win this afternoon would give Tampa Bay the series, ending their six game residency on a high note. You can read about the pitching match-up in our series preview,.
Rays 5/11/14 Starting Lineup
DeJesus DH
Zobrist 2B
Joyce LF
Longoria 3B
Loney 1B
Myers RF
Jennings CF
Escobar SS
Molina C
Archer RHP.
Noteworthiness
- Alex Cobb is eying a May 22nd return against the Oakland Athletics. He has two more tests ahead of his return: a four-inning/60-pitch simulated game Monday in Port Charlotte, then a five-inning rehabilitation start Saturday — the location is to be determined.
- Mark Topkin writes, “The lack of a left-handed hitter on the bench has become a bigger issue than the Rays acknowledged it would be. Given how little OF Brandon Guyer has been used and INF Logan Forsythe has contributed, wouldn’t it make sense to drop one and either promote switch-hitting INF Wilson Betemit (left), who has a .331 OBP and seven homers at Triple-A Durham (and a July 1 out clause) or find someone similar?”
- Ha! Topkin went on to write, “Still waiting for Duke Energy to explain the mythical lightning strike that supposedly caused the Tuesday Tropicana Field power outage. Maybe the next rate increase covers better weather data collection?”
- Daniel Russell of DRaysBay took a look at Erik Bedard’s reliance on his (effective) slow change-up.
- Jeremy Hellickson said he felt great day after his fifth bullpen session. “A huge step.” He hopes to be throwing his curve ball off mound by Friday.