If I may be so frank, the pitching staff was less than stellar or sharp in last night’s 9-8 loss to the Diamondbacks. To add insult to injury, Chris Archer was pulled after only 30 pitches, suffering what has been called a minor injury — right forearm tightness. Though he’s not expected to miss much — if any — time, the thought that an injury could hamper an already short handed staff is nerve wracking, to say the least.
And even though the Rays hitters ground into five double plays, I’d be hesitant to place any of the blame on them — they did their part, scoring eight runs on 16 hits, including four doubles. No, the loss can and should be firmly blamed on the pitching staff. A few peripherals:
- Chris Archer was in calm down mode after giving up a run in the first. Archer retired five batters in a row before he was pulled two outs into the second inning.
- After not relenting any runs, earned or otherwise, since June 24th, Alex Torres gave up three earned runs in the third inning. That’s going to happen from time to time, however these three runs came at a pretty inopportune time.
- Kyle Farnsworth, buddy…seriously. Farnsworth couldn’t get through a clean inning once again. He gave up two runs on two hits, including a Martin Prado double. He could only retire one batter before Joe Maddon pulled him in favor of Jake McGee with runners in scoring position. Farnsworth has now giving up six runs in his last six outings — a span of 3-1/3 innings overall.
- Jake McGee also proved to be largely ineffective, culling together 1-2/3 innings of 3 H/1 ER/1 BB/1 K ball. Granted he came into the game under precarious circumstances, he wasn’t able to be the dominating pitcher he’s expected to be.
- I couldn’t care less that Fernando Rodney has converted his last 18 save opportunities, he’s given up 15 hits and six walks in 16 outings, extending back to June 24th.
I live blogged last night’s game. You can read the blow-by-blow account by clicking the screen-shot below:
Tampa Bay fell two-and-a-half games behind the Red Sox going into the weekend series against the Dodgers.
Noteworthiness
- Maddon said the biggest issue to him was the performance of the bullpen… That they don’t usually give up that much.
- Wil Myers, who was pulled from the game early, has experienced asthma symptoms while playing in the Arizona fall league. Myers noted that he’s fine, and expects to play Friday.
- It was confirmed, Archer had a cramp in his right forearm. He could make the next start.
- Don’t forget, the Rays have announced a number of ticket promotions designed to boost attendance down the stretch. Among them are:
1,000 lower level seats at Tropicana Field will be available online through raysbaseball.com for $9.53 for every remaining home game this season, in partnership with WDAE 620 AM/95.3 FM.
A Buy Two, Get Two free deal on outfield seats for all for all remaining Tuesday home games beginning with the Mariners game on Aug, 13 – and including Sept. 10 vs the Red Sox. This offer is available online through raysbaseball.com via coupons that will be appearing regularly in the Times.
Another $2 Kids Night on Wednesday, Aug. 14 vs. Seattle. Fans who buy one full-priced ticket online in select seating areas can buy up to three tickets for kids 2-14 for $2 each. There also will be free parking in team lots for cars with four or more passengers. The first $2 Kids Night on July 31 drew drew 25,095, including approximately 9,700 kids.
And for any game, fans who buy four or more tickets via raysbaseball.com will receive 10 percent off face value.
No excuses, get out to Tropicana Field!