Tampa Bay Rays 7/1/18 pregame notes; injury update

Rays hurlers have a 0.80 ERA over the last five games, allowing two runs or fewer in each. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)

After winning back-to-back games against the Houston Astros, the Tampa Bay Rays look to cap an outstanding home stand on a high note. The Rays have won seven of their last eight games at the Trop, all against the Astros, Yankees and Nationals. Overall, they are 10-1 over their last 11 games at home, and 9-6 over a 15-game stretch.

Tampa Bay has allowed just four earned runs over the last five games — allowing two or fewer in all five, and pitching to a 0.80 ERA over that stretch — the first time that’s happened since 2008.

Houston has lost three straight just twice this season, and only once to the same team (New York Yankees, May 1-3). Sunday’s contest will determine the season series between the two, although it should be mentioned that Tampa Bay has not dropped a season series to Houston since 2008.

The New What Next

Blake Snell (10-4, 2.31 ERA) will get the start for the Rays, pitching opposite of Charlie Morton (10-1, 2.54 ERA).

Blake Snell slammed the door on the Nationals over the balance of his seven inning, one hit start after he allowed a pair of first inning free passes.

I got pissed; I was annoyed, said Snell on the subject of walking the first two batters.

The left-hander carried a no-hitter into the seventh inning until Anthony Rendon led off the frame with a double off the left field wall. Snell walked two more batters in the frame, although he was able to escape with the shutout intact. Snell fanned 10 and lowered his home ERA from 0.96 to 0.70, extending his club record by allowing just one earned run or fewer in a 10th straight home start.

Marc Topkin (Tampa Bay Times) also dished some noteworthiness relating to Snell’s phenomenal outing:

Retired 18 straight, tying the third-longest streak of consecutive batters retired in team history, behind Matt Garza (22) on July 26, 2010, vs.
Detroit and Chris Archer (19) on July 29, 2015 vs. Detroit.

Made the 11th scoreless start of his career and matched the longest scoreless start of his career.

Reached double-digit strikeouts for the fourth time in his career, third this season. No other Rays pitcher has done so.

Became the seventh Ray to reach double-digit wins
before the All-Star break, first since Matt Moore (13) in 2013.

Allowed two runs or fewer for an AL-most 14th time this season, matching Washington’s Max Scherzer for most in the majors. And allowed one run or fewer for the 10 time, matching most in the majors.

The southpaw won a 2-1 game over the Astros in Houston, although he allowed a career-high seven walks.

Charlie Morton struck out 13 over seven scoreless frames on Tuesday against the Blue Jays. Morton allowed four hits and two walks en route to a win. The right-hander relinquished zero extra-base hits and threw 67 of 98 pitches for strikes (68% strike rate) in his dominant outing — the fifth time this season that Morton has recorded double-digit strikeouts. Morton now sports a 3.13 K/BB over 95-2/3 innings and a .195 batting average against, making him one of only seven pitchers in the big leagues to hold opponents under a .200 average. Morton has allowed more than three earned runs just twice this season. In his last start against Tampa Bay, Morton allowed just one run on two hits and four walks, although he is 0-2 with a 5.25 ERA in two career starts at the Trop. Key Matchups: Jake Bauers (1-1, 2B, 2 BB), Matt Duffy (1-3), Carlos Gomez (6-18, HR, 5 RBI, BB), Wilson Ramos (5-14, RBI, 3 BB)

You can read about the series in our preview.

The New What Next: Rays vs Astros part two — a series preview

Rays 7/1/18 Starting Lineup

Wendle LF
Duffy 3B
Bauers 1B
Robertson 2B
Gomez DH
Smith CF
Adames SS
Sucre C
Field RF
Snell LHP

Noteworthiness

— Send pitching help, please.

After sustaining a lat strain on Friday, RHP Wilmer Font could be on the disabled list up to two months. The team, however, is not planning to promote anyone to replace him in the now (cough, again) two-man rotation.

Rays skipper Kevin Cash said the plan is to fill his spot in the rotation with another bullpen brigade, until RHP Chris Archer (abdominal strain) returns from the DL. Archer, who threw a 46-pitch simulated game on Thursday, and a 65-pitch bullpen on Saturday, is slated to make a rehab start Tuesday with Class-A Advanced Charlotte, with a decision pending whether he could return after that (July 8 in New York, or July 9 at home) or make a second rehab appearance.

It’s good, Cash said. He’s on his way back now. Hopefully no setbacks. He felt really, really good. Probably the most encouraged I’ve heard him talk in a couple of weeks about how his body felt. And obviously, the arm feels pretty fresh right now.

…Hopefully ‘Arch’ is going to be back here sooner than later with no setbacks, manager Kevin Cash said. It’s definitely not fun. It’s not easy to add another bullpen day or three-inning performance clumped together. We’ll just see how it shakes out.

— The Rays were the first team to plate more than four runs or collect more than eight hits against Justin Verlander since he joined the Astros last August 31.

— Even though they are still 13-½ games out of first in the AL East and 10-½ from the second Wildcard spot, the Rays enter one of their easiest stretches on Monday, playing 16 games against the sub .500 Marlins, Mets, Tigers and Twins.

LBWMF: Rays bounce back from one run loss to beat the Astros, 3-2

Adeiny Hechavarria drove in the Rays’ first run on a sacrifice fly to center. He eventually reached when the ball fell into play. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)

The Tampa Bay Rays took an early lead against Gerrit Cole for the second time this month, yet this time the ‘pen held on to preserve a 3-2 win over the Houston Astros. At the official mid-point of the season, and in spite of the odds, the Rays have a 40-41 record.

Tampa Bay scored all three of their runs in an awkward fourth inning. Daniel Robertson led off the frame with an infield single to third before Joey Wendle grounded a run-and-hit single into left-center, putting runners on the corners with no outs. Adieny Hechavarria was next, and drove a high fly ball to deep centerfield which Jake Marisnick dropped after crashing into the wall, allowing Hechavarria to reach base safely as Robertson crossed the plate the game’s first run. Two batters later — and after a beautiful sac bunt by Mallex Smith which allowed both runners to move into scoring position — both Wendle and Hechavarria crossed the plate when first baseman AJ Reed couldn’t handle a low throw from Marwin Gonzalez on a grounder hit by Kevin Kiermaier.

On the other side of the plate, Wilmer Font allowed just one hit over five-plus innings of work, walking two and and fanning three. Font was impressive over the front five innings, silencing Houston’s very productive lineup by missing barrels and coaxing a ton of weak contact. The right-hander was on cruise control until the sixth, when he suffered a right lat strain. After walking Jake Marisnick on four pitches, and falling behind Alex Bregman 3-1, Font called for athletic trainer Mike Sandoval and Kevin Cash; he appeared to tweak something. More on the injury below.

Diego Castillo entered the game in relief and allowed a two-run homerun two pitches later, on a fastball that leaked back over the heart of the plate.

But Castillo retired the next six Astros, punctuating the last two at-bats with a pair of strikeouts.

Chaz Roe worked a perfect eighth, and Sergio Romo retired the first two batters of the ninth before Evan Gattis lined a 2-2 slider into left field, bringing the go-ahead run to the plate.

Cash called upon Jose Alvarado to face Gonzalez, forcing the infielder to hit from the right side. With the game in the balance, Gonzalez grounded out on the first pitch to end the game.

Despite the injury, Font was pleased with his performance, crediting the Rays coaching staff with helping him feel comfortable in a Rays uniform. The right-hander will be re-evaluated on Saturday and hopes to miss only 1-1/2 weeks.

Cash was more pessimistic (and/or realistic) though, saying Font “in all likelihood will miss significant time.” When asked what Font’s absence means for the Rays’ pitching plans, Cash laughed, “More openers and bullpen days, yippee.” Ultimately though Font was placed on the 10-day DL (right lat strain), and RHP Hunter Wood has been recalled from Triple-A Durham.

The New What Next

The Rays have another chance to get to the .500 mark Saturday against the reigning World series champs. Ryne Stanek (1-1, 1.85 ERA) will serve as the opener for Tampa Bay with Matt Andriese (1-3, 4.02 ERA) and Vidal Nuno (1-0, 1.56 ERA) available to throw multiple innings. They’ll be opposed by Justin Verlander (9-3, 1.82).

Matt Andriese gave up three runs on three hits and two walks while striking out one in the Rays’ bullpen day on Sunday. His ERA jumped from 3.68 to 4.02 after the outing. Andriese followed 16 consecutive appearances in which he allowed two earned runs or fewer, with two straight starts in which he gave up three runs in each — including a 2-2/3 inning, three run start against the Astros on June 18.

Justin Verlander allowed four runs on seven hits and two walks with six punch outs over 6-2/3 innings of a loss against the Blue Jays on Monday. Home runs have been an issue for Verlander lately, as he has allowed six homers in his past four starts after giving up just five over his first 13 outings. The result was the first time all season that Verlander allowed more than three runs, pushing his ERA all the way up to 1.82. The right-hander gave up a second inning solo shot to CJ Cron in a 1-2 loss to the Rays on June 19, but otherwise struck out 10. Verlander is 5-2 with a 2.53 ERA in eight career starts at Tropicana Field. Key Matchups: Matt Duffy (1-3), Wilson Ramos (1-3), Joey Wendle (2-3, 2B)

You can read about the series in our preview.

The New What Next: Rays vs Astros part two — a series preview

Rays 6/30/18 Starting Lineup

Kiermaier CF
Duffy 3B
Bauers DH
Ramos C
Wendle LF
Robertson 2B
Cron 1B
Hechavarria SS
Stanek RHP

Noteworthiness

— Because it bears mentioning:

Tampa Bay Rays 6/29/18 pregame notes, and more

Carlos: “Hey bat, how about some homers tonight.” Bat: “Hey Carlos, how about not swinging through junk pitches?” (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)

The Tampa Bay Rays look to bounce back from a 1-0 loss against Houston on Friday, when they continue their four-game series at Tropicana Field. Wilmer Font (1-1, 1.64 ERA with the Rays) will get the start for Tampa Bay, pitching opposite of Gerrit Cole (9-1, 2.56 ERA).

…About last night.

The best opportunity to score came in the eighth inning, with reliever Chris Devenski on the mound for Houston.

Willy Adames led off the bungled rally with a double. Kevin Kiermaier followed, dropping down a bunt past the mound on the third base side, noting the placement of both shortstop Marwin Gonzalez and third baseman Alex Bregman.

With runners on the corners and the Rays’ best contact guy, Matt Duffy, stepping into the batter’s box, Rays manager Kevin Cash called for a safety squeeze play.

That was me trying to get one and sac KK over, Cash said. You’ve got so much confidence with Duffy, if it goes 1-0 to 1-1 it’s not that big a deal.

However, the plan didn’t work. Devenski’s pitch, a chanegup, ran in on Duffy, who couldn’t get the bunt down fair, which bothered him.

Then with a 2-1 count, Kiermaier broke hard for second. Duffy got a pitch he liked and lashed a 100 mph liner right at Gonzalez, who snared the ball and fired a throw down to first for the double play.

A little bit of bad luck, Duffy said. But if you look at the whole at-bat there was opportunity there, early in the at-bat, to get a run across.

Jake Bauers grounded out for the final out of the frame, ending the threat.

Took a gamble to sacrifice KK and then obviously get Willy in from third, Cash said.

I look at it that it was bad luck. Nobody did anything wrong. Matt squared up a ball. KK had the base stolen. So it just didn’t work in our favor, for whatever reason.

Obviously it’s frustrating. The guys are frustrated. When you’re sitting there first and third and the way we have been playing, you’re looking with KK at first, there’s a chance to put him in scoring position and we take the lead with three outs to get.

In the end, the Rays dropped their majors-most 20th one-run game.

For what it’s worth, Ryan Yarbrough followed an effective game-opening outing by Ryne Stanek. He allowed just one run on seven hits, including a fifth inning home run to the light hitting Jake Marisnick on a center cut, one-out change­up. Yarbrough was frustrated with the mistake pitch, although he was otherwise pleased with how he pitched.

Just the one pitch was it for the game, Yarbrough said. That was what did it for them. Obviously being able to bounce back from that and trying to keep us in the game was what I was trying to do. Our defense was fantastic for us making all those plays. I felt like we put a good game together but didn’t come out on top.

The question begs, how will Tampa Bay bounce back from the loss? Will the Rays drop three or more consecutive games, as they have throughout the season, or will they recover tonight with a win.

The New What Next

Font vs Cole: a marquee matchup for the ages.

Wilmer Font shut down one of baseball’s most potent offenses on Saturday, stymying a silent Yankees team.

Font threw 5-2/3 solid innings — his longest outing in the Majors — and allowed just three hits, walking just one and striking out four. It was the 28-year-old’s first big league victory (in his 26th appearance and fourth start). He has progressively increased the length of his appearances, from 2-1/3 innings to 3-1/3 to 4-2/3 and now 5-2/3.

It’s exciting, and I’m very happy, said Font, who was acquired by the Rays on May 25 and is playing with his third organization (Dodgers, Athletics) this season. I was trying to attack from the start. The first pitch was very important. After that, work the corners. I felt very, very good today.

Since joining the Rays, he is 1-1 with a 1.63 ERA in eight appearances (four starts). While there is still a lot of work for him to do, as Marc Topkin (Tampa Bay Times) writes, Font may turn out to be a steal for the Rays off the discard pile given his physical tools, maturity and hunger at age 28 to finally succeed.

Gerrit Cole fanned eight over five one-run innings on Sunday against Kansas City. He allowed two hits and three walks along the way. Cole limited baserunners, with the only run against him coming on a Lucas Duda solo shot in the fourth. The Royals fouled off 27 pitches to help push Cole’s pitch count, resulting in his removal after collecting just 15 outs. Despite the short outing, Cole bounced back from allowing four earned runs in each of his last two starts, including four runs on three hits and five walks against Tampa Bay on June 18. Cole is now 0-0 with a 5.14 ERA against the Rays. Key Matchups: CJ Cron (1-4, 2B, RBI), Carlos Gomez (6-14, 3B, 2 BB), Wilson Ramos (3-12, 2 HR, 4 RBI, BB), Joey Wendle (1-3, 2 RBI)

You can read about the series in our preview.

The New What Next: Rays vs Astros part two — a series preview

Rays 6/29/18 Starting Lineup

Kiermaier CF
Duffy DH
Bauers 1B
Ramos C
Robertson 3B
Wendle LF
Hechavarria SS
Smith RF
Adames 2B
Font RHP

The New What Next: Rays vs Astros part two — a series preview

The Rays look to continue their spate of winning against the Astros, starting Thursday. (Photo Credit: X-Rays Spex)

The Tampa Bay Rays and Houston Astros are set to start a four-game series on Thursday night, when they collide at Tropicana Field. The Rays have won five in a row — all at the expense of the Yankees and Nationals — and seven of their last nine. Houston is 4-1 in its last five contests after recently taking two of three from the Jays.

(Stats Credit: ESPN)

Tampa Bay started an incredibly tough stretch of play back on May 8, playing 51 games in 54 days. Over that span the Rays faced eight teams with a +.500 record, and went 24-27 overall, with four winning streaks of three or more games, and four losing streaks of three or more games. That seesaw certainly isn’t eye popping to say the least. However, they made hay against the Angels and Athletics, and most recently the Yankees and Nationals.

Pitching has been key to the Rays of late. Their five-game winning streak includes three shutouts and a 22-inning scoreless streak, while they have pitched to a combined 2.87 ERA since May 19 (best in the majors) when they launched their “game opener” strategy, with a .207 opponents batting average and a 1.11 WHIP (second best in the majors).

The pitching’s been outstanding, keeping us in every single ball game, manager Kevin Cash said. It’s kind of how we’re built. We’ve got to take advantage of it when we get it. And we’re getting it here of late.

(Stats Credit: FanGraphs)

Even thought they don’t have much to show for their success at the plate over the last 14-days, the Rays have performed well offensively since they last faced the Astros — averaging four runs per game, and slashing a combined .269 BA/.354 OBP/.450 SLG/.804 OPS/.349 wOBA/.325 BABIP line over the last week, with 25 runs (63% of all the runs they’ve scored over the last two weeks), a .181 ISO, and a 5.7 Weighted Runs Above Average (wRAA).

True, Tampa Bay closed out its most recent road trip by losing two of three in Houston, yet the team is perfect on its current nine-game home-stand. And in all fairness, the Rays could have won two of three against the Astros, as the loss in the first game of that particular series came by a run.

To be sure, it would be a fool’s errand to seek a four-game sweep of the Astros. The question then should be how will Tampa Bay bounce back from loss? Will the Rays drop three or more consecutive games, as they have throughout the season, or will they recover from a loss to win the very next game? A series split, in the least, will give them a far better chance to again climb over the .500 mark against their next four, sub .500, competitors: the Marlins, Mets, Tigers, and Twins.

Pitching Probables

Over the next four days Kevin Cash will lean on Ryne Stanek (1-1, 1.99 ERA) — who will likely be followed by Ryan Yarbrough (7-3, 3.96 ERA), Wilmer Font (1-1, 1.64 ERA), Matt Andriese (1-3, 4.02 ERA), and Blake Snell (10-4, 2.31 ERA). AJ Hinch will counter with Lance McCullers Jr. (8-3, 3.82 ERA), Gerrit Cole (9-1, 2.56 ERA), Justin Verlander (9-3, 1.82 ERA), and Charlie Morton (10-1, 2.54 ERA).

(Stats Credit: FanGraphs)

Ryne Stanek is one of the prime reasons for the team’s pitching success, having not allowed a run in 10 consecutive appearances, including five lead-off outings. Stanek has allowed just four hits during this stretch, while striking out 14 and walking five over 13 innings. Ryan Yarbrough threw 3-1/3 shutout innings against the Yankees last Friday, walking three but fanning four.

Lance McCullers Jr. picked up his fifth consecutive quality start, but settled for his second straight no-decision after allowing three runs on four hits over six innings of work in his last turn. McCullers struck out nine. The Tampa product owns a 5-2 record in nine starts away from Minute Maid Park, yet with a 4.83 road ERA. This season he has relied primarily on a hard 87 mph 12-6 curveball and a 95 mph sinker with some armside run, while also mixing in a whiffy 88 mph changeup with obvious armside fade. The right-hander is 0-2 with an alarming 6.00 ERA in losing both of his careers starts at Tropicana Field.

Wilmer Font shut down one of baseball’s most potent offenses on Saturday, stymying a silent Yankees team.

Font threw 5-2/3 solid innings — his longest outing in the Majors — and allowed just three hits, walking just one and striking out four. It was the 28-year-old’s first big league victory (in his 26th appearance and fourth start). He has progressively increased the length of his appearances, from 2-1/3 innings to 3-1/3 to 4-2/3 and now 5-2/3.

It’s exciting, and I’m very happy, said Font, who was acquired by the Rays on May 25 and is playing with his third organization (Dodgers, Athletics) this season. I was trying to attack from the start. The first pitch was very important. After that, work the corners. I felt very, very good today.

Since joining the Rays, he is 1-1 with a 1.63 ERA in eight appearances (four starts). While there is still a lot of work for him to do, as Marc Topkin (Tampa Bay Times) writes, Font may turn out to be a steal for the Rays off the discard pile given his physical tools, maturity and hunger at age 28 to finally succeed.

Gerrit Cole fanned eight over five one-run innings on Sunday against Kansas City. He allowed two hits and three walks along the way. Cole limited baserunners, with the only run against him coming on a Lucas Duda solo shot in the fourth. The Royals fouled off 27 pitches to help push Cole’s pitch count, resulting in his removal after collecting just 15 outs. Despite the short outing, Cole bounced back from allowing four earned runs in each of his last two starts, including four runs on three hits and five walks against Tampa Bay on June 18. Cole is now 0-0 with a 5.14 ERA against the Rays. Key Matchups: CJ Cron (1-4, 2B, RBI), Carlos Gomez (6-14, 3B, 2 BB), Wilson Ramos (3-12, 2 HR, 4 RBI, BB), Joey Wendle (1-3, 2 RBI)

Matt Andriese gave up three runs on three hits and two walks while striking out one in the Rays’ bullpen day on Sunday. His ERA jumped from 3.68 to 4.02 after the outing. Andriese followed 16 consecutive appearances in which he allowed two earned runs or fewer, with two straight starts in which he gave up three runs in each — including a 2-2/3 inning, three run start against the Astros on June 18.

Justin Verlander allowed four runs on seven hits and two walks with six punch outs over 6-2/3 innings of a loss against the Blue Jays on Monday. Home runs have been an issue for Verlander lately, as he has allowed six homers in his past four starts after giving up just five over his first 13 outings. The result was the first time all season that Verlander allowed more than three runs, pushing his ERA all the way up to 1.82. The right-hander gave up a second inning solo shot to CJ Cron in a 1-2 loss to the Rays on June 19, but otherwise struck out 10. Verlander is 5-2 with a 2.53 ERA in eight career starts at Tropicana Field. Key Matchups: Matt Duffy (1-3), Wilson Ramos (1-3), Joey Wendle (2-3, 2B)

Blake Snell slammed the door on the Nationals over the balance of his seven inning, one hit start after he allowed a pair of first inning free passes.

I got pissed; I was annoyed, said Snell on the subject of walking the first two batters.

The left-hander carried a no-hitter into the seventh inning until Anthony Rendon led off the frame with a double off the left field wall. Snell walked two more batters in the frame, although he was able to escape with the shutout intact. Snell fanned 10 and lowered his home ERA from 0.96 to 0.70, extending his club record by allowing just one earned run or fewer in a 10th straight home start.

Marc Topkin (Tampa Bay Times) also dished some noteworthiness relating to Snell’s phenomenal outing:

Retired 18 straight, tying the third-longest streak of consecutive batters retired in team history, behind Matt Garza (22) on July 26, 2010, vs.
Detroit and Chris Archer (19) on July 29, 2015 vs. Detroit.

Made the 11th scoreless start of his career and matched the longest scoreless start of his career.

Reached double-digit strikeouts for the fourth time in his career, third this season. No other Rays pitcher has done so.

Became the seventh Ray to reach double-digit wins
before the All-Star break, first since Matt Moore (13) in 2013.

Allowed two runs or fewer for an AL-most 14th time this season, matching Washington’s Max Scherzer for most in the majors. And allowed one run or fewer for the 10 time, matching most in the majors.

Charlie Morton struck out 13 over seven scoreless frames on Tuesday against the Blue Jays. Morton allowed four hits and two walks en route to a win. The right-hander relinquished zero extra-base hits and threw 67 of 98 pitches for strikes (68% strike rate) in his dominant outing — the fifth time this season that Morton has recorded double-digit strikeouts. Morton now sports a 3.13 K/BB over 95-2/3 innings and a .195 batting average against, making him one of only seven pitchers in the big leagues to hold opponents under a .200 average. In his last start against Tampa Bay, Morton allowed just one run on two hits and four walks, although he is 0-2 with a 5.25 ERA in two career starts at the Trop. Key Matchups: Jake Bauers (1-1, 2B, 2 BB), Matt Duffy (1-3), Carlos Gomez (6-18, HR, 5 RBI, BB), Wilson Ramos (5-14, RBI, 3 BB)

About that strange ninth inning between the Rays and Nationals

Well that escalated quickly! (Photo Credit: X-Rays Spex)

Talk about an eventful ninth inning. Not only was there an untraditional, Joe Maddonesque, mid-inning position change, but the game ended with a bench clearing scrum that was preceded by an expletive laden, game ending strikeout of Michael Taylor.

The inning began innocuously enough, with left-hander Jose Alvarado on the mound to face Bryce Harper. Six pitches (and a walk) later, Kevin Cash went to something that had been in the Rays’ playbook for some time, yet was only spoken about this afternoon.

With the right-handed hitting Anthony Rendon stepping into the batter’s box, and Chaz Roe warming in the ‘pen, Cash strolled out to home plate umpire Alfonso Marquez, explaining that he intended to bring in Chaz Roe to pitch (and bat fifth), with Alvarado moving to first and Jake Bauers to left field.

After the game, Cash told reporters that the plan for Alvarado was simple:

to just go stand on the bag and kind of stay out of the way.

Bauers gave him his glove and some advice:

Catch the ball if someone throws it to you.

Roe struck out Rendon on six pitches, and the musical chairs continued once more.

Bauers moved back to first, Mallex Smith shifted to left field, Carlos Gomez entered the game in right, and Alvarado took the mound once again.

(Cash) pulled a little Joe Maddon move right there, Roe said. With two lefties coming behind Rendon and Venters on the shelf, I thought it was a good move. It didn’t work out to our favor, but it worked out in the end.

But Alvarado surrendered a pair of seeing eye singles to Juan Soto and Daniel Murphy, and suddenly Washington had the bases loaded with one out. In that sense, the plan didn’t work.

That’s when Cash called on Sergio Romo.

Romo first got Trea Turner to pop out to shallow right, then struck out Taylor to end the game. Yet the right-hander also settled a score that began three weeks ago, on June 6, when Taylor swiped third with a seven-run lead in the sixth inning of that contest. That led to bench clearing scrum, yet nothing more than some pushing and shoving.

After the game, Romo explained his issue with Taylor, saying:

I think I said enough out there, Romo said. Self-explanatory, I think. No disrespect to that team, no disrespect to their coaching staff, no disrespect to anybody on that team other than the person I felt disrespected me and my team.

Don’t know him personally, nothing against him off the field. Just let you know that this game is very unforgiving. The way I was taught to play this game it governs itself, and just had to let him know I didn’t like it.

For his part, Taylor didn’t realize Romo took umbrage until he saw his teammates react.

I understand the situation, he said. They’re upset I stole a base at home in the sixth inning. In my mind, you saw how many runs they scored with nine outs yesterday. So the game’s not over. Obviously, they think differently, but I’m not worried about that. We lost the game. That’s the only thing that upsets me. The talking and things like that, I’m not big on drama, so it’s whatever.

All’s well that ends well. No one walked away with any physical injuries, and the Rays ended the day with their fifth straight win, second consecutive series sweep, and one game under .500.