The Tampa Bay Rays squandered not one or two bases loaded opportunities on Wednesday night, but three, as the Minnesota Twins went on to win 5-3. Minnesota has won the first two games of the three-game series, while Tampa Bay has fallen two games under .500, and three games back in the AL Wildcard race.
Chris Archer came out throwing bullets to start the game, fanning eight batters in the front four innings ― seven via a sharp slider with a ton of depth and run. And while he allowed four base runners on two singles and two doubles (going into the fifth), there really wasn’t an indication that he would allow any runners to cross the plate, much less two while he was on the mound.
Kevin Kiermair was the only baserunner for Tampa Bay in the first three frames, but the Rays found themselves plenty of scoring opportunities in the next three innings against starter Tyler Duffey and reliever Brian Duensing.
Daniel Nava homered to start the fourth, giving the team a one run lead.
The first homer of the year for @dnavs33 put #RaysUp, 1-0. And it got out IN A HURRY. WATCH: http://t.co/oRWgO2Vaht pic.twitter.com/sv0z3aTvyf
— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) August 27, 2015
Evan Longoria followed the homer with a double, and John Jaso and Asdrubal Cabrera worked a pair of walks, but the Rays could do nothing with the first of three consecutive bases loaded opportunities, as James Loney grounded out to end the fourth.
Minnesota answered in an awkward fifth. Chris Herrmann started the rally by lining a single to right, but Shane Robinson hit into a 6-4 fielder’s choice. With one out, Robinson stole second and advanced to third on a Byron Buxton single to left. Archer was able to coax what looked to be the perfect 5-4-3 double play ball off the bat of Brian Dozier, however, Logan Forsythe came off second early on Longoria’s throw, and could not make the relay to first. Robinson scored to tie the game at one. With runners on first and second, the Rays ace culled a pair of strikeouts of Joe Mauer (looking) and Miguel Sano (swinging) to limit the damage.
The Rays regained the lead in the bottom of the inning, when Kiermaier came up with a leadoff triple — his league-leading 12th. Daniel Nava worked a four pitch walk (and Rene Rivera was caught looking) before Grady Sizemore plated an RBI on an opposite field single. They were able to load the bases again on a Longoria fielder’s choice and a John Jaso walk, nevertheless Forsythe lined to second to end the inning. Minnesota struck again on an Eduardo Escobar solo shot with two outs in the sixth, tying the game at two.
Still the team threatened again to blow the game open in the bottom of the frame. Cabrera, Loney and Kiermaier singled to load the bases with none out. Rene Rivera found himself in a prime run-scoring opportunity, yet he popped out to first. In that at-bat, Rivera took a 91 mph middle-middle fastball for strike one. Center cut, right in his wheelhouse, strike one. You’re fucking kidding me, right?! I digress.
Brian Duensing took the mound in relief and got Nava to pop out to second and pinch-hitter Brandon Guyer to fly to left. They are now hitting .217 this season with the bases-loaded, tied for 28th in MLB with Seattle.
The inability to push across runs set the stage for the Twins to take the lead against the Archer, who fanned 12 in six plus innings, and the bullpen. Minnesota led off the seventh inning uprising against Archer with a Robinson walk. They then misplayed two straight bunts by Buxton and Dozier, consequently loading the bases with no outs.
Another bunt that eludes #Rays Archer who attempts an awkward dive. Archer is out, Cedeno in with bases loaded — Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) August 27, 2015
Another bunt single loads bases with 0 out and that’s all for #Rays Archer. Big hand from Rays faithful in the house. Cedeno on
— Roger Mooney (@RMooneyTBO) August 27, 2015
Archer departed, and Joe Mauer followed with a broken bat bloop to right-center off Xavier Cedeno for a single, and a one-run advantage. Alex Colome, the third pitcher of the inning, got Miguel Sano to pop out, but Trevor Plouffe hit a sac fly to left-center, extending the lead to two. Tampa Bay got within one in the seventh when Longoria belted a leadoff homer to left — his 14th of the season.
ICYMI, @Evan3Longoria‘s solo shot narrowed the @Twins lead in the 7th. WATCH: http://t.co/8nRoS367R2 pic.twitter.com/O0KQ7KeFBv — Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) August 27, 2015
However, Minnesota again responded. Escobar homered off Brandon Gomes to start the eighth. It also ended a string of 26 straight hitters retired by Gomes.
The New What Next
Drew Smyly (1-2, 3.42) will make his third start since returning from the disabled list on Wednesday, opposite of left-hander Tommy Milone. Smyly picked up his first win in 358 days on Friday, looking sharper than his first start back. In an ideal world, as Smyly gains command of his off-speed pitches, the scoreless innings should mount. Milone is coming off his first career save, as he was needed in extra innings on Sunday against the Orioles. But he also started Friday, lasting 5-1/3 innings, and allowing three runs on five hits. You can read about the pitching matchup in our series preview.
Rays 8/27/15 Starting Lineup
Guyer RF
Nava 1B
Longoria 3B
Forsythe 2B
Cabrera SS
Butler LF
Beckham DH
Kiermaier CF
Arencibia C
Smyly RHP
Noteworthiness
— Kevin Cash on Rivera’s sixth inning foul out: it was a “non-competitive” at-bat.
#Rays Cash said he didn’t hit for Rivera in 6th because too early in game to lift the catcher that’s in the lineup to catch Archer
— Roger Mooney (@RMooneyTBO) August 27, 2015
But, #Rays Cash called Rivera’s foul pop to 1B with bases-loaded an 0-out a “non-competitive” at-bat
— Roger Mooney (@RMooneyTBO) August 27, 2015
— As if he hasn’t missed enough of the season already, OF Desmond Jennings has been placed on the 15-day DL with a bruised left knee. OF/DH Joey Butler has been recalled. Jennings left Tuesday night’s game with a bruise on the same left knee that sidelined him for 3-1/2 months and required surgery, sitting out Wednesday.