LBWMF: Bauers, Adames lead the Rays to victory over the Jays, 8-4

The Rays rallied from three deficits to defeat the Blue Jays Monday night, 8-4. (Photo Credit: Anthony Ateek/X-Rays Spex)

The Tampa Bay Rays rallied from three deficits on Monday, with the third rally representing the go ahead lead they would not relinquish. Jake Bauers and Willy Adames both had good nights in their first big league game together, as the Rays defeated the Jays, 8-4, to open a three-game set.


Source: FanGraphs

Toronto took the initial lead in the first inning after Yangervis Solarte hit a soft double down the left-field line, then came around to score on a two-out single by Kendrys Morales, also to left. But Tampa Bay answered when Matt Duffy hit a 2-2 leadoff single, Jake Bauers doubled to right on the first pitch he saw, and a Joey Wendle hit a sacrifice-fly to deep center to tie the game at one apiece.

From early on it seemed as though the game would played in see-saw fashion, as every time Toronto reclaimed the lead, Tampa Bay immediately responded in the bottom of the frame. That pattern continued in the top of the third when the Blue Jays moved back ahead after Devon Travis singled with one out and Teoscar Hernandez hit a first pitch homer over the right-field fence.

Not to count the Rays out of the game this early, Bauers walked to start another rally in the bottom of the frame. And after Sam Gaviglio retired the next two batters, Joey Wendle, Adames and Mallex Smith slapped back-to-back-to-back base hits, with the last two driving in runs to knot the game at three.

Adames’ RBI single | 06/11/2018

Willy Adames rips a single through the left side, bringing home Jake Bauers and cutting the Rays’ deficit to 3-2 in the 3rd inning

In true see-saw fashion, Toronto took a momentary lead in the top of the fourth, but that was before Tampa Bay moved in front for good.

Down by a run, Matt Duffy hit a one-out single to center then swiped second against Russell Martin, who the Rays seem more than happy and willing to take advantage of. Bauers followed with his first Major League homer, a shot to right on a belt high fastball that leaked back over the plate.

Ryan Yarbrough’s day was done after six innings and 88 pitches thrown (59 strikes, 67% strike rate). He struck out four, walked one, and gave up four runs allowed (all earned).

Diego Castillo worked around a Hernández single for a scoreless seventh, and the Rays put three more runs on the board in bottom of the frame.

Bauers, again, was in the thick of things, earning a walk against reliever John Axford, then going to third on a run-and-hit single by Wilson Ramos. After CJ Cron was hit by a pitch that loaded the bases, Wendle hit a sharp comebacker, which Axford knocked down, then bobbled, and threw wide of home, as two runs scored to make it a three-run game.

Adames followed with a sacrifice-fly to right-center, off Seung-hwan Oh, for an 8-4 score.

Jonny Venters worked around a one out walk for a scoreless eighth, coaxing an inning inning double play along the way, while Sergio Romo followed with scoreless ninth to complete the game. Romo reached 10 years of Major League service time with his inning of work.

The New What Next

The Rays play game two of the series on Tuesday. Ryne Stanek (1-1, 3.14 ERA) will open the game, with RHP Austin Pruitt (1-3, 4.57 ERA) slated to cover the bulk of the innings. They’ll be opposed by left-hander Jaime Garcia (2-4, 5.57 ERA).

Austin Pruitt (1-3) allowed five earned runs on seven hits and one walk while striking out six across seven innings on Thursday. To be sure, the five earned runs are ugly, however, the bulk of the damage came in a three run second, and the other runs came on a pair of solo homers to Denard Span and Mitch Haniger. That is to say, Pruitt settled in and kept the Rays in the game. Pruitt has allowed four or more runs just three of his 10 appearances this season.

Jaime García threw six innings Thursday, allowing one run on three walks and four hits while fanning six in a 5-4 win over the Orioles. The Jays couldn’t give him much run support until a ninth-inning rally, so he didn’t factor into the decision. The 31-year-old southpaw lowered his season ERA to 5.57 to go along with a 2.08 K/BB ratio over 53-1/3 innings. Garcia has relied primarily on his 90 mph four-seam fastball with some natural sinking action, and a whiffy 90 mph sinker, while also mixing in an 82 mph slider with depth and armside cut, a whiffy 82 mph changeup, and a 73 mph curveball with sharp downward bite and slight glove-side movement. He is 0-0 with a 1.93 ERA in one start against the Rays (4-2/3 IP). Key Matchups: CJ Cron (1-3, HR, 2 RBI), Carlos Gomez (12-33, 2 2B, 3B, 2 RBI)

You can read about the series in our preview.

The New What Next: Rays vs Blue Jays, part two — a series preview

Rays 6/12/18 Starting Lineup

Duffy 3B
Bauers 1B
Ramos C
Cron DH
Adames SS
Arroyo 2B
Gomez RF
Smith CF
Refsnyder LF
Stanek RHP

Noteworthiness

— INF Daniel Robertson said the left hamstring strain that placed him on the 10-day DL was the “mildest of the mild.” The move is believed to be precautionary, and the infielder is confident he will be ready to come back on June 22, the earliest date he can be activated.

— CF Kevin Kiermaier (right thumb surgery) told Marc Topkin (Tampa Bay Times) he was ready and eager to start a rehab assignment today with the Stone Crabs in Dunedin, having passed the final tests of taking live batting practice (off two minor league pitchers who came up from Port Charlotte) and throwing to bases at the Trop. Kiermaier plans to play two games with the Stone Crabs, three with Triple-A Durham this weekend, then two-three more with the Crabs next week and also be activated June 22.

— SS Adeiny Hechavarria (right hamstring strain) started his rehab with the Crabs on Monday, hitting second and playing shortstop. He is on a similar schedule to Kiermaier.

— Chris Archer (right abdominal strain) had a setback, putting his recovery on hold, as a previously scheduled simulated game Tuesday was cancelled due to recurring soreness in the area. “Had that gone well, posits Topkin, “Archer could have rejoined the Rays as soon as Sunday.”

Unfortunately Arch is now going to be sidetracked a little bit,  Cash said. Woke up (Monday) feeling not that great. So we’re going to take a little bit more conservative approach. I don’t think it’s anything too alarming. But we want to make sure once we start that process of ramping him back up and getting him going that all those symptoms have subsided. And obviously they haven’t.

Archer tossed a 20-pitch bullpen session on Saturday and told Cash, and reporters, that he felt good at the time.

The New What Next: Rays vs Blue Jays, part two — a series preview

CJ Cron enters the series against the Blue Jays with 15 homers on the season, one shy of his career high. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)

The Tampa Bay Rays and Toronto Blue Jays will begin a three-game series at Tropicana Field on Monday night. Toronto is coming off a four-game sweep of the Baltimore Orioles, while the Rays dropped three of four against Seattle, and nine of their last 10.

(Stats Credit: ESPN)

The Blue Jays have been scorching at the plate of late, racking up 27 runs and 56 hits en route to a four-game sweep of Baltimore.

For their part, the Rays are not a bad team, however, they are just shy of being a good team … more often than not one run shy. Tampa Bay has lost a Major League leading 17 games by one run, including three in their last series.

With yesterday’s loss, the Rays have fallen to 29-35 on the season and run fourth place in the AL East — 1/2 game behind the Blue Jays.

(Stats Credit: FanGraphs)

Pitching Probables

Kevin Cash will lean on Ryan Yarbrough (4-2, 3.68 ERA) in the series openers, and presumably Austin Pruitt (1-3, 4.57 ERA) and Matt Andriese (1-3, 3.58 ERA) on Tuesday and Wednesday, based on when they last pitched. The Rays, however, have not set the starting rotation. We will offer updates when the situation clarifies. John Gibbons will counter with Sam Gaviglio (2-1, 2.51 ERA), Jaime García (2-4, 5.57 ERA), and JA Happ (8-3, 3.71 ERA).

(Stats Credit: FanGraphs)

Ryan Yarbrough will get the start on Monday. He has made 14 appearances this season, and has pitched to a 3.68 ERA/3.91 FIP over 58-2/3 innings overall. And though he is averaging just over four innings each time he gets the ball, that’s due in large part to his usage from March 31 to April 28. In his last outing, Yarbrough allowed five runs (four earned) on 10 hits and two walks over 5-1/3 innings.

Sam Gaviglio gave up three hits and three walks over seven scoreless innings, while striking out four. Gaviglio has allowed three runs or fewer in three of four starts and two of those were scoreless outings. One key to his success? He has walked seven over 28-2/3 innings this season. Be that as it may, he has managed just a 2.66 K/BB over the last 14 days. Gaviglio also has performed to a 1.38 HR/9 (20% HR/FB) and a very lucky — yet unsustainable — .216 BABIP over the same span. This season he has relied primarily on an 89 mph sinker and an 84 mph 12-6 slider, while also mixing in an 89 mph four-seam fastball with heavy sink and slight armside run, an 84 mph changeup with natural and a 79 mph curveball with little depth. Key Matchup: Daniel Robertson (1-2)

Austin Pruitt (1-3) allowed five earned runs on seven hits and one walk while striking out six across seven innings on Thursday. To be sure, the five earned runs are ugly, however, the bulk of the damage came in a three run second, and the other runs came on a pair of solo homers to Denard Span and Mitch Haniger. That is to say, Pruitt settled in and kept the Rays in the game. Pruitt has allowed four or more runs just three of his 10 appearances this season.

Jaime García threw six innings Thursday, allowing one run on three walks and four hits while fanning six in a 5-4 win over the Orioles. The Jays couldn’t give him much run support until a ninth-inning rally, so he didn’t factor into the decision. The 31-year-old southpaw lowered his season ERA to 5.57 to go along with a 2.08 K/BB ratio over 53-1/3 innings. Garcia has relied primarily on his 90 mph four-seam fastball with some natural sinking action, and a whiffy 90 mph sinker, while also mixing in an 82 mph slider with depth and armside cut, a whiffy 82 mph changeup, and a 73 mph curveball with sharp downward bite and slight glove-side movement. He is 0-0 with a 1.93 ERA in one start against the Rays (4-2/3 IP). Key Matchups: CJ Cron (1-3, HR, 2 RBI), Carlos Gomez (12-33, 2 2B, 3B, 2 RBI)

Matt Andriese allowed two earned runs on five hits, a walk and an HBP over 2-1/3 innings of a loss to Seattle on Friday. He struck out two. Andriese stayed away from the long ball, although he struggled overall through 48 pitches. The two runs he allowed came on soft contact — a Guillermo Heredia fielder’s choice and a Mitch Haniger single — but, the fact remains that Andriese has already allowed three earned runs over his first two June outings, and multiple runs in four of his last five appearances. All this after he performed to a .169 BA/.217 OBP/.338 SLG/.555 OPS line, and a 2.04 ERA/3.33 FIP, over 17-2/3 innings in May.

JA Happ picked up the win in a 5-1 victory over Baltimore, allowing only one unearned run on two hits and two walks over seven innings. He struck out three. The punch outs tied a season low, although pitching to contact seemed to suit the left-hander just fine as he delivered his fourth quality start in his last five trips to the mound, and seventh on the season. Happ allowed three runs on four hits (including a homer) over 5-2/3 innings of a 6-2 loss to Tampa Bay on May 4. Key Matchups: Matt Duffy (5-10, HR, 3 RBI), Johnny Field (1-2, HR), Wilson Ramos (2-6, RBI), Rob Refsnyder (1-4, 2B)

Noteworthiness

— Kevin Kiermaier and Adeiny Hechavarria are set to begin their rehab assignments this week, with both players heading to Port Charlotte Monday and Tuesday.

— Daniel Robertson left yesterday’s game in the first inning with a strained hamstring. While not severe, the injury was enough to place Robertson on the 10-day disabled list. In his place, the team has promoted one of baseball’s top prospects, Willy Adames, back to the big leagues.

Tampa Bay Rays 6/10/18 starting lineup and pregame notes

The kid, Jake Bauers, collected his first two big league hits — and his first run — Saturday afternoon. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)

After snapping an eight-game skid, with a resounding 7-3 against the Mariners on Saturday, the Tampa Bay Rays look to split their four-game set on Sunday. They’ll have to beat Seattle’s ace to do so.

Blake Snell didn’t have his A+ stuff, however, he made big pitches when he needed to. Snell pitched out of the stretch in each of the six innings he worked, and notched just one strikeout. However, the southpaw held Seattle to 0-for-8 wRISP. While his line was not spotless — he gave up seven hits, walked a pair, and plunked the first batter of his big league career — Snell still went six innings and gave up just two runs.

Snell told Neil Solondz (Rays Radio) he was pleased with the results given that he didn’t have his best stuff:

Jake Bauers also got the 0’fer monkey off his back, going 2-for-4 with a run. The first his of his big league career? a first pitch double lined into the right-center gap.

Two pitches later, Bauers came around to score on Matt Duffy’s two-base hit to center, tying the game at one apiece.

All told, the Rays scored seven runs on 10 hits and a Seattle error.

The New What Next

Nathan Eovaldi (1-1, 3.27 ERA) will get the start for Tampa Bay, pitching opposite of James Paxton (5-1, 2.95 ERA).

Nathan Eovaldi allowed four runs on four hits over five innings on Tuesday. He walked one and struck out four. Eovaldi wasn’t terrible, throwing 66 of 86 pitches for strikes (77% strike rate), and 18 of 21 first pitch strikes. He, however, couldn’t put batters away and was punished for it. In two career starts against Seattle (12 innings), Eovaldi is 0-0 with a 0.75 ERA.

James Paxton got the win on Tuesday, allowing one run on nine hits and a walk while punching out six over 7-2/3 innings against Houston. The nine hits were a season-high — eclipsing his previous high of six — but he was able to work out of trouble thanks in part to three inning-ending double plays. Paxton was otherwise sharp, notching his seventh quality start in eight tries — allowing him to lower his ERA to 2.95. The southpaw also boasts an impressive 4.25 K/BB over 82-1/3 innings. This season he has relied primarily on a 96 mph swing-and-miss four-seam fastball and a hard 82 mph 12-6 knuckle curveball, while also mixing in an 89 mph cutter with heavy sink and a hard 96 mph sinker with little sinking action. Paxton is 2-0 with a 3.00 ERA in two starts against Tampa Bay. Key Matchups: CJ Cron (4-14, HR, 2 RBI, BB), Carlos Gomez (3-12, 2 2B, 4 RBI, 2 BB)

You can read about the series in our preview.

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

Rays 6/10/18 Starting Lineup

Robertson SS
Cron DH
Duffy 3B
Ramos C
Arroyo 2B
Bauers 1B
Field RF
Refsnyder LF
Smith CF
Eovaldi RHP

Noteworthiness

— As Marc Topkin (Tampa Bay Times) wrote, Willy Adames’ return is nigh:

Expect shortstop Willy Adames to be the next of the top prospects called up, and very soon. That will be exciting, but also a bit sticky. Not only because Daniel Robertson has played well at short, but because veteran Adeiny Hechavarria is close to returning from his hamstring injury and won’t have a job, which makes a trade seem likely and imminent.

— In fact, both Hechavarria and Kevin Kiermaier, who reportedly just needs to build up his arm strength, will report to their rehabilitation stints in the upcoming week.

Tampa Bay Rays 6/8/18 starting lineup and pregame notes

At least something good came out of last night’s ball game, as Daniel Robertson hit his seventh bomb of the season. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)

After losing their seventh consecutive game last night, the Tampa Bay Rays look to get back on the winning side of the ledger tonight against the Seattle Mariners.

Tampa Bay stranded 15 runners on the base paths last night, including the tying run on second with two outs in the ninth, in the 5-4 loss. However, their for runs in nine innings matched their sum total of the previous four games, showing signs of life. Even so, during their seven-game skid, the Rays have led just once, and that lead was by only a run. Four of those losses have come against Seattle, and all have been by one or two runs.

Jake Bauers made his big league debut last night. And while his batting line might not show much, Bauers hit the ball on the screws twice, both of which had an exit velocity over 95 mph. His 0’fer had more to do with the luck dragons than anything else. He did make a highlight worthy catch, rushing to the railing of the Rays’ dugout and catching Ryon Healy’s popper in foul territory for an out — a play that Brad Miller had a hard time with the last few weeks.

The New What Next

Wilmer Font (0-0, 1.50 ERA with Tampa Bay) will open tonight’s ball game, and will be followed by Matt Andriese (1-3, 3.31 ERA) at some point. They’ll be opposed by Marco Gonzalez (6-3, 3.38 ERA).

Wilmer Font has pitched well since joining the Rays, allowing one run (on a Ryon Healy homer in Seattle) over six innings. As Neil Solondz (Rays Radio) noted, Font last year was the PCL Pitcher of the Year, so starting is not necessarily new to him.

Matt Andriese is slated to enter Friday’s “bullpen day” game against the Mariners after opening pitcher Wilmer Font. Rays skipper Kevin Cash had been coy about Andriese’s exact role for Friday’s series opener, a game that Chris Archer was slated to start before his placement on the DL with a left abdominal strain. The right-hander will likely enter the game fairly early on, in the second or third inning, and could potentially find himself working a relatively extensive long-relief outing if he proves effective. Andriese gave up the game winning homer in the Mariners’ 4-3 walk-off win last Friday, after falling behind Mitch Haniger in the bottom of the 12th inning. All told, Andriese is 1-1 with a 2.45 ERA in two games (totaling 3-2/3 innings) against the Mariners.

Marco Gonzalez has allowed only one earned run in 26 innings of work (four starts), including 6-2/3 innings of one-run ball against the Rays on Saturday. The 26 year-old southpaw is 5-1 with a 1.98 ERA over his last eight outings. This season Gonzalez has relied primarily on a firm 85 mph changeup with slight armside fade and natural sink, a whiffy 91 mph sinker, and a 79 mph worm killer curveball, while also mixing in n 88 mph cutter good “rise” and strong cutting action, and a 91 mph four-seam fastball. Key Matchup: Christian Arroyo (1-2, BB), Wilson Ramos (3-5, 2B, RBI), Rob Refsnyder (1-3), Daniel Robertson (2-3)

You can read about the series in our preview.

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

Rays 6/8/18 Starting Lineup

Robertson SS
Cron DH
Duffy 3B
Ramos C
Gomez RF
Bauers 1B
Field LF
Arroyo 2B
Smith CF
Font RHP

Brad Miller designated for assignment, Rays 6/7/18 starting lineup, Trop site update

The end of the Brad Miller era is now. (Photo Credit: USA Today Sports)

The Tampa Bay Rays formerly announced the roster move which allowed for the addition of 1B Jake Bauers to the 25-man roster, designating INF/DH Brad Miller for assignment, as opposed to either releasing him from his contract, or optioning him to Triple-A Durham.

The move gives Tampa Bay 10-days to trade Miller before either losing him to waivers, or releasing him and eating the remainder of his $4.5-million contract.

Miller, 28, had started 34 games at first base for Tampa Bay this season, but the team needed to clear a roster spot for first baseman Jake Bauers, who has been promoted from Triple-A Durham.

Bauers, 22, was acquired by the Rays in the three-team, 11-player trade in December 2014 that sent Wil Myers to the San Diego Padres and Trea Turner to the Washington Nationals.

You can read more about Bauers’ promotion at the link below.

Rays Roster Moves: Jake Bauers to be promoted on Thursday

Rays 6/7/18 Starting Lineup

Robertson SS
Cron DH
Wendle 2B
Ramos C
Duffy 3B
Bauers 1B
Gomez RF
Smith CF
Field LF
Stanek RHP

Noteworthiness

— Rays pitching coach Kyle Snyder, who was hospitalized on Saturday in Seattle, has been medically cleared to rejoin the team. We wish him nothing but the best on his speedy recovery back to full health!

— The St. Petersburg City Council has approved an agreement with HKS Architects to develop a plan for the future of Tropicana Field, and the remaining acres surrounding it, without the Tampa Bay Rays.

It, however, should be noted that the city of St. Petersburg — by way of the Baseball Forever Campaign and the above mentioned architectural firm — previously developed a master plan that took into consideration the construction of a new facility on the north-east side of the property.

[embeddoc url=”http://www.baseballforever.com/assets/TheProposal.pdf”]

Today’s agreement allows the city to enter phase two, developing a master plan without ballpark, something that has always been in the works.

Before we get way ahead of ourselves, by assuming that a sparkling new facility across the bay is an inevitability, the City Council is still planning for a future with the team, be that at Tropicana Field or somewhere else, like Derby Lane or Mid Pinellas/Carillon.

According to the terms of the memorandum of understanding which allowed the Rays to search for a new stadium site in Pinellas and Hillsborough counties, the team can share 50% of the development rights should it choose to build a stadium at the Tropicana Field site, which has been appraised at $1.2-billion. The Rays, however, lose the ability to cash in if they ultimately build a stadium elsewhere, even within Pinellas County. Because of it, neither the City of St. Petersburg, nor the Rays, are closing the door on a new stadium adjacent to Tropicana Field just yet. In other words, development revenues will be bonkers, and the Rays stand to lose a lot of money by building elsewhere.

So why get the ball rolling on the development of a second master plan now, with seven months left in the Rays MOU with the city? Noah Pransky (WTSP Action News) said it best:

— You can read about the Rays/M’s series in our series preview.

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