Mike Napoli beats Evan Longoria to third base in the 2nd inning. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)
Mike Napoli beats Evan Longoria to third base in the 2nd inning. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

It all came down to one pitch. If executed properly, the Rays — who battled back from a 3-0 deficit to tie things up in the bottom of the eighth — would have found life in the bottom of the tenth. One pitch. But as fate would have it, Roberto Hernandez lobbed a very hittable slider over the plate to Mike Carp, a pitch that found its home over the wall in center field. Roberto’s errant pitch gave the Red Sox a four run lead they’d never relinquish.

I’d imagine that Hernandez’s 2/3 inning outing would a suitable metaphor of Wednesday night’s game. The ground ball specialist came into the game with one out in the 10th, tasked with inducing a double play. Instead he walked the bases loaded, then gave up a grand slam — Boston’s first pinch hit grand slam in a decade. Chronically scratching at the eight-ball, the Rays had opportunities a plenty for that extra run and that pivotal out all night. But they just couldn’t get either. The Rays postseason probability dropped from 53% to 45.6% in a matter of innings. And thanks to the Yankees 5-4 win against the O’s, Tampa Bay now holds a minute one game lead over New York in the wildcard race. Ouch.

The Peripherals

  • While I’m on the subject of Roberto Hernandez, a little internet sleuthing finds that batters have posted a .338 BA/.343 OBP/.662 SLG/1.005 OPS against his slider. On top of that, 10 of the 23 hits he’s given up on the slider, have been homers (six, including last night’s grand slam) or doubles. In light of his lack of success with the pitch, perhaps it’s time to shelve it.
  • Surprise surprise, Tampa Bay went 1-for-10 wRISP, stranding 10 men on the bags. Furthermore, the Rays worked two bases loaded opportunities, and they did absolutely nothing to take a commanding lead. Rather, Desmond Jennings (0-4, 3K) did nothing with a pair of bases loaded opportunities. Instead of silencing detractors by mashing the ball in a pair of play the part of the hero scenarios, Jennings walked away with a pair of whimpers — grounding into a fielder’s choice in the third and striking out in the fifth.
  • Dempster was sloppy at best, yet he was still able to make the big pitch to keep the Rays down. Tampa Bay threatened with runners on second and third in the second inning, but Dempster got Lobaton swinging to put them away. Then there were the third and fifth innings discussed above.
  • The folks at DRaysBay put things into perspective well,

The Tampa Bay Rays are absolutely reeling. With their grip on the final AL Wildcard slot slipping and in desperate need of a win, the Rays turned to Alex Cobb to right the ship and inject some life into a clubhouse that is on the verge of collapse.

Cobb, for his part, performed well. He lasted just 5.2 innings and surrendered three runs but gave his team a chance to win. Unfortunately, it seems like any mistake by a Rays starter is the deathknell as the offense continues to mired in a month-long offensive malaise.

  • I honestly don’t put too much credence in what the Big Dog Steve Duemig has to say. However, I fully agree with his assessment of Wil Myers in the field — the kid looks like a dear in the headlights. Myers completely misplayed Mike Napoli’s two RBI double in the third, diving when he didn’t need to, and losing the ball in the turf which allowed Napoli to advance to second. The once solid outfield is in shambles following Myers and Jennings’ inconsistent play of late.
  • At least the staff at the Trop tried to break up the monotony of the seemingly hopeless game. When David DeJesus drew a walk to leadoff the fifth, Kanye West’s “Jesus Walks” blared over the PA as he made his way to first.
  • Per Marc Topkin, Joe Maddon said one morning-after thought was that he should have started inning with Hernandez.
  • Maddon was quoted as saying, “My eyes are firmly planted on going to the World Series.”

The New What Next

Hellickson will attempt to continue the solid starting pitching of the last few days. He’ll be opposed by Jake Peavy. You can read about the pitching match-up here. C’mon Joe, light a fire under their asses!

Rays 9/12/13 Starting Lineup

DeJesus LF
Zobrist 2B
Loney 1B
Longoria 3B
Joyce DH
Myers RF
Jennings CF
Lobaton C
Escobar SS
Hellickson P

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