[youtube_sc url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BBZ7AfZR9xs”]
The Rays scored five runs and batted around in the first inning. Logan Forsythe got things started with a single to left against lefty Eduardo Rodriguez. Then with one out, Evan Longoria singled to center, moving Forsythe to third — Longoria was able to move into scoring position when the throw to third got past Marco Hernandez. Logan Morrison followed with a two-RBI single to right.
After Desmond Jennings popped out, Oswaldo Arcia singled hard into the shift, allowing Morrison to move up to third. The tandem of Taylor Motter and Nick Franklin struck next, going back-to-back with run scoring doubles, thus capping the five-run rally.
The @RaysBaseball‘ 5-run 1st inning vs the Red Sox:
Single
Fly Out
Single
2-run Single
Foul Out
Single
RBI Double
2-run Double
Strikeout— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) June 27, 2016
Tampa Bay tacked on four more, and knocked Rodriguez out of the game, in the bottom of the third. Jennings made up for his pop-out in foul territory with a leadoff solo-shot to left for a six-run lead. After Arcia doubled to left-center, Motter flew out to deep center, advancing Oswaldo to third. Franklin, who entered the game with exactly zero RBI, singled past a drawn-in infield for his third RBI in as many innings. Finally, Forsythe chased Rodriguez with an absolute bomb off the tarp in left, putting Tampa Bay in front by nine runs.
He’s 3rd among AL 2B with a .360 OBP—Logan’s reached 3 times and homered. #RaysUp
WATCH: https://t.co/7RQ0WoqCG4 pic.twitter.com/rF5vGk9FKq
— #VoteRays (@RaysBaseball) June 28, 2016
Meanwhile, Blake Snell got through the first three innings by allowing just a pair of singles. At that point the lefty was in full command of his fastball, and his off-speed stuff looked deadly. However, Snell started to lose command after the fourth.
Snell allowed two runs in the fourth on Bryce Brentz’s double to right-center, although Brentz helped out the Rays when he tried to stretch his extra base hit into a triple, and was thrown out at third by a mile. The Massholes scored another run in the fifth when Snell walked David Ortiz with the bases loaded. He, however, avoided further damage when he caught Hanley Ramirez looking at a beautifully placed curveball.
Tampa Bay was able to get back a run against relief pitcher Tommy Layne in the fifth after Motter reached on comebacker, then moved to second on throwing error by Layne. Two batters later, Forsythe doubled off the wall in left-center, scoring Motter.
Unfortunately another run crossed the against Snell after he failed to cover first in a timely manner* on a grounder to Morrison, scoring Hernandez. By that point, with two on and one out and Snell having thrown 103 pitches, Kevin Cash called upon the services of Ryan Garton.
Garton squelched the fire by coaxing a pair of harmless fly-ball outs from Mookie Betts and Dustin Pedroia to end the threat. Snell was charged with four runs on eight hits, while walking and fanning four in 5-1/3 innings. In spite of his short outing, Snell became the first American League rookie starter to stop a losing streak of 11 or more games since 2009, when David Price also stopped an 11-game skid for Tampa Bay.
Tampa Bay was relentless, however, and the aforementioned tandem again put the Rays up by eight. Nick “have yourself a night” Franklin followed a walk of Motter by lacing a two-run homer to right off Koji Uehara.
Travis Shaw capped the scoring in the ninth with a sac-fly off Xavier Cedeno.
*For the second time of the night, no less.
The New What Next
Tuesday RHP Chris Archer (4-10, 4.70 ERA) will get the start opposite of Rick Porcello (8-2, 3.93 ERA) Tuesday night. Archer has won three of four games against Boston, although his 10.69 ERA in 16 first innings this season is worrisome to say the least. His command has eluded him, and Archer has fallen behind hitters a lot this season. The Rays ace is 7-17 with a 4.29 ERA since the second half of 2015. Porcello, who allowed four runs in 5-1/3 innings his last turn, needs a quality start to help an overworked bullpen. You can read about the pitching matchup in our series preview.
Rays 6/28/16 Starting Lineup
Forsythe 2B
Miller SS
Longoria 3B
Morrison 1B
Jennings CF
Arcia RF
Motter LF
Franklin DH
Conger C
Archer RHP
Noteworthiness
— The Rays have placed RHP Alex Colomé (right medial biceps tendinitis) on the 15-day DL, retroactive to June 19. In doing so, the team has selected LHP Dana Eveland from Triple-A Durham.
Kevin Cash told reporters that Colome first started to feel something last week, and the Rays will be cautious in getting him back on mound. The de facto reliever is expected to return Monday, July 4.
Until Colome returns, the Rays will be forced to cobble together the closer’s role based on matchups, although it’s likely Matt Andriese and/or Xavier Cedeño to receive the bulk of the heavy lifting.
— LHP Enny Romero, who was struck Saturday on his pitching hand with a line drive, was still sore but improving.
— RHPs Alex Cobb and Chase Whitley (Tommy John surgery) are scheduled to throw bullpens Tuesday afternoon.
— RHP Brad Boxberger (oblique) is slated to throw off the mound Thursday.
— RHP Andrew Bellatti cleared waivers and has been outrighted to Triple-A Durham.