Steven Souza Jr. celebrates with Jake Elmore after hitting a home run in the second inning. (Photo credit: Getty Images)
Steven Souza Jr. celebrates with Jake Elmore after hitting a home run in the second inning. (Photo credit: Getty Images)
The Tampa Bay Rays kicked off their 10-game road trip the same way they concluded their recent home stand: dropping a very winnable game to the Baltimore Orioles, 2-1. And while many will place the blame on the shoulders of Kevin Jepsen and Brandon Gomes — after all, the pair gave up the tying and go-ahead runs — I’m of the persuasion that the Rays lost the game in the bottom of the ninth inning, when they had a prime opportunity to put it away.

The Rays loaded the bases with none out against Darren O’Day, yet they could not push past a run. Evan Longoria led off the inning with a single to center, and David DeJesus moved him into scoring position on a single. O’Day seemed sloppy, lacking command, and hit Logan Forsythe on a 2-2 pitch that kept moving inside. O’Day was right where the Rays wanted him by this point — the bases were loaded, no one was out, and the hurler was struggling mightily. Little did Tampa Bay know that O’Day, in fact, had the team right where HE wanted them.

After a meeting on the mound, presumably to reinforce the idea that Steven Souza Jr. — despite his power profile — is very pitchable, O’Day quickly got ahead of the right-fielder and fanned him on a 1-2 pitch for the first out.

Steven Souza Jr. K

Speaking only to what I saw, the pitch looked like a ball out the hand. It did not look competitive in the least bit, yet O’Day completely exploited the holes in Souza’s swing with a pitch that was well outside.

I didn’t get the job done, Souza said. Bottom line.

Then Asdrubal Cabrera stepped to the plate and worked a 2-0 count before falling behind and subsequently striking out (swinging) on a 3-2 breaking pitch that was well below the zone.

Asdrubal Cabrera K

Look at the bright side, at least we were privy to one of Cabrera’s expletive laden rants as he walked back to the dugout. That’s a TOTAL rarity.

Finally, Jake Elmore grounded out to third to end the threat. At least Elmore made contact. Souza and Cabrera, take note.

Apples to apples, there’s a point at which an evaluation will be made, and a simple question will be asked: in spite of his clubhouse presence, was it wise to deal Yunel Escobar in lieu of Cabrera? If you’re looking at things from an offensive point of view* I cannot find a reason for Cabrera’s placement lineup — he’s underperforming the Rays former shortstop. Defensively speaking that’s another story…although Yunel does boast one fewer error than Asdrubal.

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In any case, both Souza and Cabrera were expected to boost the teams offensive production. Yet at this point in the season, aside from the eight homers the right-fielder has mashed, neither have shown the ability to get that all so critical hit in the most dire of moments — last night included. Hey Shelty, you might want to get on that.

To be clear, this was one of the many games that Tampa Bay should have walked away with. Nathan Karns was excellent in his 6 IP/1 H/7 K start, however, his performance almost goes for not. Sure, the relievers allowed at least a run for the seventh consecutive game, yet the Rays were still in it until the end. Missed opportunities wRISP — stop me oh oh oh stop me, stop me if you think that you’ve heard this one before.

The New What Next

Erasmo Ramirez will get the start for the Rays on Saturday, opposite of Baltimore lefty Wei-Yin Chen. This start marks the second time will appear at Camden Yards. After starting the season allowing 15 earned runs in 5-1/3 innings, Ramirez has only given up 11 earned runs in 30 innings over his last 10 appearances (four starts). Chen had some soreness between starts, but was deemed good to go earlier this week. You can read about the pitching matchup in our series preview.

*With the exception of the number of double plays Escobar has grounded into.

Rays 5/30/15 Starting Lineup

Guyer CF
Butler LF
Longoria 3B
Forsythe 2B
Souza Jr. RF
Elmore 1B
Cabrera SS
Beckham DH
Rivera C
Ramirez RHP

Noteworthiness

— Rays manager Kevin Cash said Matt Moore did well in extended spring game on Friday. Moore will throw a bullpen session, then the team will decide what’s next — either another extended spring game or the start a rehab assignment in Port Charlotte.

— Jake Elmore made his first big league start at first base on Friday night. Elmore made two nice plays despite throws that forced him off the bag.

— The Rays have reinstated LHP C.J. Riefenhauser from the 15-day DL and optioned him to Triple-A Durham.

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