We awaited the triumphant return of Jeremy Hellickson from the DL with baited breath, only to be somewhat letdown by his first three starts — I say somewhat, because though he wasn’t terrible, Hellickson certainly wasn’t at the top of his game. The former Rookie of the Year pitcher turned the corner in his August 6 start against Oakland, yet a question still lingered — could he string together quality starts with consistency? If his start against the Texas Rangers Tuesday night was indicative of anything, it’s yes he can. Yet what started as a pitching duel between he and Nick Tepesch, turned into a 3-2 Rangers’ victory in 14 innings — one that sadly obscured Hellickson’s quality start.
Of the 24 batters Hellickson faced, seven reached base safely on six hits and a walk. And while a handful of those runners made it into scoring position (only one, Leonys Martin, made it into scoring position as a consequence of Hellickson), the Rays righty did a good job of making the big pitch when he needed to, putting the skids on the Rangers’ early threats.
With two outs in the second inning and Martin on second, Hellickson struck out Geovany Soto swinging to end the inning. Then with a runner on first in the fifth, Helly induced a comeback double play out of Soto, and followed with an inning ending popper off the bat of Shin-Soo Choo. The Rangers threatened once again in the sixth, but Helly responded with a swinging strikeout of Jim Adduci, and a J.P. Arencibia grounder to third.
The Rays were able to offer Hellickson a little run support in the sixth when Ben Zobrist plated Desmond Jennings from third, after he led off the inning with a triple to center. Matt Joyce followed with a triple of his own, and was ultimately able to score on the error by Rougned Odor.
But after a 1-2-3 frame in the top of the seventh, Texas stormed right back to tag Joel Peralta with a pair of runs on four hits. Peralta lacked the command he’s exhibited of late, leaving pitches in hittable places and being punished for doing so. Let me put it to you this way, in his previous eight outings (or 7-1/3 innings) Peralta gave up only two hits — no runs or walks, just two hits.
The game sat knotted at two runs apiece for the next seven innings. The pitchers from both staffs deserve credit for making some big pitches. Additionally, the Rays’ fielders made some outstanding plays that should not go overlooked.
The Rangers threatened to score even more runs off Peralta in the seventh. Choo was off and running from second when Elvis Andrus lined a hard hit single to right. Kevin Kiermaier cleanly fielded the play however, and quickly fired the ball home — well in advance of Choo. The throw was on the line, and Jose Molina was able to hold on to the ball to save a run from scoring.
With a runner on second in the eighth, Martin hit a towering fly ball to deep center. Desmond Jennings successfully flagged the ball down and made an excellent over-the-shoulder catch before crashing into the wall.
In the 10th inning, Kevin Kiermaier became the first Rays rookie since Justin Ruggiano in 2008 to have a pair of OF assists in the same game. Kiermaier was able to double up Rosales at first on an Adrian Beltre liner to right.
Similar to the AL worst Texas Rangers, the Rays put together plenty of opportunities to win the game (0-6 wRISP, 7 LOB), but they couldn’t capitalize. While the offense went dormant from the 10th inning until one out into the 14th, Longoria put himself into scoring position after legging out a double. His effort was for naught — the next two batters swung at the first pitches and both flew out.
Only one reliever, Kirby Yates, didn’t make it into the 14 inning marathon. And the relievers who did make it into the game posted strong outings — that is, with the exceptions of Peralta and Cesar Ramos. Hell, even Grant Balfour put together a pair of well pitched innings (atonement for Sunday?).
Ramos, tasked with holding the game until the 15th, quickly got Martin to fly out to left for the first out. However, the wheels fell off when Soto reached safely, thanks to an error by Longo. Odor was next, singling to right and moving Nick Martinez (pinch running for Martin) to second. Choo loaded the bases on a seeing eye flare just over Zobrist’s head, and Maddon opted to bring in the five man infield. Ramos was able to induce a weak popper out of the ever dangerous Andrus to right, but then came back with a four-pitch walk to Rosales which drove in Martinez for the third — and winning — run.
Another winnable game went down in the register as another frustrating loss. DeWayne Stats said it best,
With the ratio of strikeouts to walks this year, it’s ironic that the game ended on a bases loaded walk.
Also ironic, all three extra innings losses on this road trip have been by a one run, 3-2 margin.
The New What Next
Chris Archer will butt heads with RHP Miles Mikolas (1-4, 6.57 ERA) Wednesday night. Mikolas was called up from Triple-A Round Rock to replace Joe Saunders. Featuring above-average fastball velocity and a big curve, Mikolas has improved his command this season — though it has yet to translate in the bigs. He had 38 strikeouts to just three walks in 44 total innings in Round Rock, boasting a 5-1 record with a 3.22 ERA. Mikolas held hitters a .283 batting average. You can read about the pitching matchup in our series preview.
Rays 8/13/14 Starting Lineup
Guyer LF
Zobrist RF
Joyce DH
Longoria 3B
Loney 1B
Rodriguez 2B
Escobar SS
Casali C
Kiermaier CF
Archer RHP
Noteworthiness
- Per a Marc Topkin tweet, Jennings said he thought the bunt in 10th was the better play so that’s why he tried it a third time.
- “I didn’t have it tonight. … They got me.” — Joel Peralta
- It was “unacceptable” and “pretty embarrassing” to lose on a four pitch bases loaded walk.” — Cesar Ramos
- The Rays have called up Brandon Gomes, responding by sending Cole Figueroa down to Triple-A Durham. The move gives the Rays a three man bench and an eight man bullpen
- Your tweet of the day:
#Rays Longoria: “For us as a group it’s a frustrating night.”
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) August 13, 2014