Drew Smyly matched a career high with 11 strikeouts on Wednesday night, however Carlos Carrasco was a better. Carrasco, who came within an out of a no-hitter against the Tampa Bay Rays last season, threw eight strong innings this time in the 4-1 win over the Rays.
What follows are some highlights and low-lights from Tuesday night’s contest against the Indians.
Source: FanGraphs
― Beware of the big inning… Smyly was perfect through the first three innings, fanning five. However, Rajai Davis doubled off the glove of shortstop Brad Miller to start the game’s only rally in the fourth. Jason Kipnis followed with a bloop single to center, putting runners on the corners with no outs. Francisco Lindor beat out a fielder’s choice, allowing Davis to score for a one run lead.
Mike Napoli was next, and he doubled to left to move both runners into scoring position. And even though Yan Gomes flew out to Logan Forsythe, who made an over-the-shoulder catch in right, Lindor tagged from third while Forsythe sailed a throw over the head of catcher Curt Casali and past Smyly (backing up the play), scoring a pair of runs.
― Smyly was able to bounce back from his rough outing against Toronto. He was able to keep the score at 3-0 over the next three innings, ultimately giving up just the three hits and one walk over seven innings of work, striking out 11.
― Carrasco was perfect until Logan Morrison hit a one-out single to center in the fourth inning, although he did not allow a runner beyond first base until the eighth.
In the eighth Kevin Kiermaier, who beat out a potential double play ball, scored on a Curt Casali double to left-center. While Forsythe was able to hit a single through the left side, Casali was thrown out at the plate to end the inning ― a play upheld upon review.
Send Casali from second made for a contentious decision, however, I do not disagree with Charlie Montoyo’s choice to wave the catcher home. Personally, in playing backseat manager, I’d have put a pinch runner into the game…someone with a bit more speed.
― Casual spoke about the play after the game (Courtesy of Rays Radio):
― If you didn’t catch it above, Logan “2-25” Morrison hit a single to right-center in the fourth inning. He also made solid contact down the first base line in the ninth, yet a diving Napoli was able to make a play for an out. For what it’s worth, 1-4 is better than going o’fer. Now, if only he’d collect an extra base hit and/or an RBI.
― One run on four hits against Carrasco is approximately four times better (as it relates to hits) and/or one time better (as it relates to runs) than the last time the Rays faced Cleveland’s righty. That’s progress, right?
― Brad “2-23” Miller also had a hit, an eighth inning single to right.
The New What Next
Tampa Bay and Cleveland will play the rubber game of the three-game set on Thursday afternoon. Chris Archer will toe the rubber opposite of Danny Salazar.
Archer, winless in his last eight starts and 0-2 this season, is confident he can bounce back from a rough outing against Baltimore,
The biggest thing, when you have a bad outing is bouncing back and trusting your ability, trusting your stuff. I know and I trust that if I fill up the strike zone, then I’ll get the ultimate goal and that’s a team win.
Salazar gave up just two hits in 7-2/3 innings in a 6-2 win at the Trop on June 30, 2015. The Rays will attempt to spoil his return to St. Petersburg.
You can read about the pitching matchup in our series preview.
Rays 4/14/16 Starting Lineup
Forsythe 2B
Morrison 1B
Longoria 3B
Dickerson DH
Jennings LF
Miller SS
Souza RF
Kiermaier CF
Conger C
Archer RHP
Noteworthiness
― Uhh…