Matt Moore posted his third consecutive quality start on Tuesday night, hurling seven strong innings while allowing just one run. Although Moore wasn’t credited with the win, the Tampa Bay Rays were able to come up with a victory, 4-2 over the Marlins. Tampa Bay won the first of a six-game home stand to improve to 76-81.
What follows are a few highlights from the game.
― Matt Moore allowed a first inning run on back-to-back doubles by Dee Gordon and Christian Yelich to start the game. After the lefty was credited with a throwing error that allowed Yelich to advance to third, Moore settled in, retiring 19 of the next 25 hitters, and allowing only two other Marlins to get as far as second base.
Over the span of his seven inning start, Moore scattered just a run on seven hits and a walk, while fanning three. Moore was able to coax a pair of double plays in the last two innings, helping him to throw an efficient 95 pitches (66 strikes). In Moore’s last three starts (totaling 20-2/3 innings), he’s allowed only three total runs. The lefty has allowed just three walks in his last three starts, and posted an impressive 69% strike ratio (203 strikes out of 293 pitches). In short, Moore’s throwing quality strikes, limiting the amount of solid contact he allows, and forcing opposing batters to earn their way on base. This bodes well for the Rays going forward.
― The Marlins tied the game against the Rays bullpen in the eighth. Xavier Cedeno allowed an infield single to Yelich with one out, when Beckham threw a ball in the dirt past James Loney. Alex Colome replaced Cedeno and wild pitched Yelich to second. Martin Prado followed with an RBI single to center, tying the score. Yet Colome struck out the next two batters, giving the Rays a chance to take the lead back in the bottom of the inning. It was a growth moment of sorts for Colome, who was able to limit the damage.
― Brad Boxberger closed out the game with a 1-2-3 ninth inning for his 39th save of the season, putting Colome on the winning side of the ledger. Don’t look now, but Boxberger has allowed just two base runners (both walks) in his last four appearances (totaling 3-1/3 innings). Granted he’s only struck out three ― I’d reckon a 1.5 K/BB in that stretch isn’t that impressive ― Boxberger has been able to work around the free passes while allowing no runs, ergot no blown saves.
― I don’t always agree with @sternfan10, but when I do it’s because he makes a cogent argument:
Can a team who boasts a rotation of Archer, Moore, Odorizzi, Smyly and Ramirez with Snell and Cobb at some point not be in the discussion?
— sternfan10 (@sternfan10) September 29, 2015
― It isn’t known the type of contract Asdrubal Cabrera will seek in the offseason. Would he give the team a discount because of his rapport with Kevin Cash? Would he be willing to sign a two year contract with an option for a third? It seems like the Rays will likely to hand the shortstop job to either Nick Franklin, Tim Beckham, or a platoon of both next season. However, I’m not certain if that dynamic duo could touch Cabrera’s performance, even if that performance was around league average. Asdrubal has compiled a -4.5 UZR and a -7 DRS this season, though that’s an improvement over his last couple of seasons…and his 2.2 WAR certainly doesn’t hurt.
To that end, I’d beg the question: Can Nick Franklin supply the same offense that Cabrera did? Whatever the case, I doubt you’ll see either Franklin or Beckham make a play like this, including the accurate throw to first:
Cabby on this play: “That reminded me of the young Cabrera.” He’s still got it: pic.twitter.com/CcQpeNB3sx
— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) September 30, 2015
The New What Next
Drew Smyly (4-2, 3.26 ERA) will take the ball on Wednesday, opposite of Jarred Cosart (2-4, 2.15 ERA). Smyly has a 4-0 record and 2.70 ERA in his last seven starts, with 44 strikeouts and 12 walks in 40 innings of work. Cosart boasts a 1.37 ERA in four September starts. The righty is 3-1 (1.24) in four starts lifetime against the Rays. You can read about the pitching matchup in our series preview.
Rays 9/30/15 Starting Lineup
Jaso LF
Souza RF
Longoria 3B
Sizemore DH
Cabrera SS
Loney 1B
Arencibia C
Kiermaier CF
Franklin 2B
Smyly LHP
Noteworthiness
― Per Mark Simon (ESPN), Kevin Kiermaier has saved a pristine 37 runs this season so far. It would be illogical for him to not win the Gold Glove in center.
2015 MLB Defensive Runs Saved Leaderboard pic.twitter.com/GSKePCJ8cC
— Mark Simon (@msimonespn) September 30, 2015
― Smyly hasn’t allowed a homer to a LHB since September 6, 2014.