John Jaso clued us into his iTunes playlist with his new hair style. Suffice it to say, it’s more than likely chocked full of Sublime, Pepper, and Pennywise. (Photo Credit: Will Vragovic/Tampa Bay Times)
Cody Anderson continued his dominance over the Rays on Monday, carrying a perfect game into the seventh inning in Cleveland’s 7-1 victory against the Tampa Bay Rays. For Tampa Bay (42-36), it was the second legitimate perfect game bid the team found itself in in less than a week. They are now are 2-5 on their 10-game home stand but remain in a virtual tie for first with Baltimore atop the AL East, thanks to losses by the Orioles, New York Yankees, and Toronto Blue Jays. As I wrote on our Tumblr page last night (live from section 143), it’s a bit disconcerting when you have to root for the Angels, Red Sox, and Rangers to do what your team can’t.

Go ahead, hover over the roller-coaster that was Monday night’s game:


Source: FanGraphs

Nathan Karns wasn’t quite as good as he was in the Marco Estrada no hit bid. In six innings he allowed two runs on nine hits and two walks, though he limited the damage and collected seven strikeouts. Yet the bottom fell out entirely in ninth inning when Ronald Belisario blew the lid with a four run, 28 pitch frame. He also let loose with a wild pitch on a pitch out — a pitch that can only be compared to 50 Cent’s botched ceremonial first pitch.

50 Cent, eat your heart out.
50 Cent, eat your heart out.
There really isn’t much more to say about the game… If that’s what you want to call it.

The New What Next

Erasmo Ramirez (6-2, 4.23) returns to the rotation in the second game of this four-game set, opposite of Danny Salazar (6-3, 4.06 ERA). Ramirez is 6-1 in his last eight starts since May 14 — tied for first in the Major Leagues in wins over that span. In three career appearances against the Indians he is 1-0 with a 3.86 ERA. Rays manager Kevin Cash said there will be no restrictions on Ramirez, who returns after missing one start with a groin strain. Salazar looks to bounce back from a rough start when he gave up seven runs (six earned) in only 4-1/3 innings against the Tigers on June 23rd. Prior to that loss, Salazar posted a 3.03 ERA with 39 strikeouts in 35-2/3 innings in his previous six outings. You can read about the pitching matchup in our series preview.

Rays 6/30/15 Starting Lineup

Kiermaier CF
Sizemore DH
Longoria 3B
DeJesus LF
Forsythe 2B
Souza RF
Cabrera SS
Elmore 1B
Casali C
Ramirez RHP

Noteworthiness

— Here comes the calvary… James Loney is on track to rejoin the team this weekend in New York. He should start a short rehabilitation assignment with the Class-A Charlotte Stone Crabs tonight. John Jaso and Andrew Bellatti will also rejoin the Stone Crabs tonight. Jaso, who should return at some point this weekend, is 3-7 with a walk in his first two games with the Rays’ High-A affiliate. Bellatti will be making his first rehab start, putting three big-leaguers in the Stone Crabs’ lineup.

Jake Odorizzi is slated for a 60-pitch rehab start for Charlotte on Wednesday, slotting his return to the rotation for July 6 — though the team may ask him to make a second start. The move lines him up to take RHP Alex Colome’s spot in the rotation.

— Steven Souza Jr. enters Tuesday’s game hitless in his previous 17 at-bats with nine strikeouts.

— While the Rays are on pace to score a lowly 590 runs this season, they’re also on pace to swipe 188 bags.

— I mean, at least Sizemore’s homer last night (his first with the Rays) was pretty cool:

— Only three days and counting until our next watch party with The Brewery Bay at Green Bench Brewing Company. Hope to see you on July 3!

Leave a comment