Looking Backward While Moving Forward: Rays win third straight, 7-3

Darkness on the edge of town. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)
Darkness on the edge of town. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)
The miracle stretch for the Tampa Bay Rays continued Thursday night. Tampa Bay chased Sonny Gray in the fifth inning, as the team rolled to a 7-3 victory over the Oakland Athletics — the Rays’ third consecutive win, and fourth in five games.


Source: FanGraphs

The Rays tallied a first inning run and never looked back, and it all started with Logan Forsythe, who led off the game with a single to right. Forsythe moved to second on a swinging bunt by Brad Miller, then to third when Evan Longoria slashed a hard hit grounder, but right at Jed Lowrie at second. Corey Dickerson plated the first run on a dribbler through the hole at second, allowing Forsythe to easily trot home as the ball slowly made its way into right field.

That lead was extended in the second after Tim Beckham, who — on a lark — slotted into the first baseman’s role, homered to left off Sonny Gray. It was Beckham’s fourth homer this season. More on his spot start in Noteworthiness (below).

Yet Matt Moore allowed the lead to evaporate in the bottom of the second. Danny Valencia started the rally with a single to center, and Billy Butler singled with one out to put a pair of runners on base. Even though Moore coaxed a popper out of Stephen Vogt, Jake Smolinski turned on a fastball that caught to much of the plate, and deposited it into left field to give Oakland a one-run lead. It was the 20th homer off Moore this season.

However, Tampa Bay got a run back when Corey Dickerson took an elevated fastball to left, tying the game at three.

But it was in the fifth inning when the Rays broke the game open, ultimately sinking Gray and the Athletics. Beckham started the rally with a single to center, giving him hits in eight consecutive at-bats, and allowing him to reach base in nine straight plate appearances — both marks tied franchise records (Ty Wigginton in 2007 and Aubrey Huff in 2004; Logan Forsythe in 2015 and BJ Upton in 2011 reached in nine straight plate appearances).

Luke Maile was next in the batter’s box, and he blooped a single to right, putting two aboard.

After Beckham advanced 90 feet on a wild pitch, Forsythe doubled on a ball that hit the front edge of second base, scoring a run and allowing Maile to move into third. Wanting terribly to join in on the fun, Brad Miller plated another run on a single to right, before Evan Longoria pushed the advantage to three runs on a base hit to left. (Longoria got caught in a rundown that led to an out) Dickerson followed with a sacrifice-fly in foul territory in left, driving in Miller to make it a 7-3 ballgame.

Prior to Thursday, the Rays hadn’t scored four runs or more in an inning in three straight games since May 6-8, 2013.

Moore allowed the lead to stand. The southpaw featured a zippy fastball, that played well at the bottom of the zone, and broke off some excellent curveballs (24 total/16 strikes/eight whiffs). Moore allowed three runs on four hits and two walks over seven innings, fanning six and earning a road victory for the first time this season. He also worked at least six innings for the ninth consecutive outing; his 10th quality start this season.

After Moore, Kevin Jepsen and Xavier Cedeno paired up for a perfect eighth. Erasmo Ramirez was immediately pulled from the game after he allowed a ninth inning hit to Danny Valencia, and plunked Khris Davis on the elbow with a fastball. Now with the game on the line, Alex Colome entered took the mound and got three outs for his 21st save in 21 opportunities — their longest streak since Fernado Rodney rattled off 22 straight 2012.

The Rays have now won three straight for first time since June 12-15.

The New What Next

Tampa Bay looks to continue its winning ways Friday night, when RHP Jake Odorizzi (4-5, 4.39 ERA) takes the mound opposite of LHP Sean Manaea (3-5, 5.13 ERA). Odorizzi snapped a six-start winless skid on Sunday in a six inning win over the Orioles. It was just the eighth time in 20 starts that Odorizzi was able to post six innings of work. He is 0-2 with 6.14 ERA in three starts against the Athletics. Manaea is coming off a five-inning relief outing on Sunday. He is 1-1 with a 3.18 ERA in four games since being activated from the disabled list; is 3-2 with a 3.93 ERA at home, and 0-3 with a 7.89 ERA away O.Co Coliseum. You can read about the pitching matchup in our series preview.

Rays 7/21/16 Starting Lineup

Forsythe 2B
Guyer LF
Longoria 3B
Pearce 1B
Souza RF
Dickerson DH
Beckham SS
Kiermaier CF
Maile C
Odorizzi RHP

Noteworthiness

— Beckham made a pinch start at first due to inflammation in Logan Morrison’s right wrist/forearm, and slight fatigue in Steve Pearce’s right hamstring.

The Rays first baseman saw a doctor Thursday night in Oakland as a result of the lingering inflammation that started bothering him in the first game after the All-Star Break.

“It slowly started building and getting worse and worse,” he told Marc Topkin (Tampa Bay Times).

After receiving an injection in his wrist, Morrison is likely to return in the next day or two. The team does not anticipate a stint on the disabled list.

As noted by Topkin, Morrison’s status factored into the decision to bring Pearce back Tuesday after just two rehab games following a monthlong DL stint for a hamstring strain. Pearce said after playing two games in Colorado he was feeling something in the hamstring — “not barking, just tired” — so the Rays opted to be cautious.

— Of all the Rays’ hurlers mired in trade speculation, it’s Moore that I want to see moved the least. Move Drew Smyly to mitigate a future shoulder injury? Sure. Trade Jake Odorizzi, and allow Matt Andriese to slot back into a starter’s role? Why not?! Above all though, keep the lefty with the organization.

— If you’re keeping track, Tampa Bay now must go 48-19 (.716 baseball) from here on out for the Rays to have a shot at an AL wildcard berth.

Rays 7/21/16 starting lineup, etc

Say what you want about the Trop, it's still not nearly the dump-like caliber of O.Co Coliseum. (Photo Credit: Greg Goodman)
Say what you want about the Trop, it’s still not nearly the dump-like caliber of O.Co Coliseum. (Photo Credit: Greg Goodman)
Back at it Thursday night, when the Tampa Bay Rays kick off a four-game series against the Athletics at the O.Co Coliseum, in Oakland. Say what you will about Tropicana Field, there is zero doubt in my mind that the home of the Athletics is the worst facility in Major League Baseball.

I digress.

The New What Next

Matt Moore (5-7, 4.33 ERA) will get the start opposite of Sonny Gray (4-8, 5.12 ERA). Moore has been excellent since late June, throwing six innings or more in eight consecutive starts — the longest quality start streak of his career. The southpaw lasted 7-1/3 innings his last time out, Moore’s longest start since his July 2013 complete-game shutout in Boston. Gray is 1-3 with a 4.07 ERA since his return from the disabled list after suffering from a strained right trapezius. In his last start against the Rays, Gray allowed six runs (three earned) on six hits, including three homers, over 5-2/3 innings. You can read more about the pitching matchup in our series preview.

Rays 7/21/16 Starting Lineup

Forsythe 2B
Miller SS
Longoria 3B
Dickerson DH
Souza RF
Kiermaier CF
Guyer LF
Beckham 1B
Maile C
Moore RHP

Noteworthiness

— Tim Beckham will slot in at first base tonight for the first in his professional career. “Why exactly is Beckham playing at first?” you may be asking. Logan Morrison has a right “wrist thing” that appears to be getting worse. Morrison, who is expected to see a doctor in Oakland, said his wrist started bothering him after the All-Star Break, and it hasn’t improved with the past couple days of rest. As for Steve Pearce, the logical backup first baseman, he’s out for precautionary reasons. Pearce to Marc Topkin (Tampa Bay Times) he’s “feeling” some fatigue in his hamstring, though he is available tonight if needed. Pearce expects to start Friday.

— Brad Boxberger will make his second rehab start tonight for the Charlotte Stone Crabs.

The New What Next: Rays vs A’s — a series preview

The Tampa Bay Rays claimed their second series vs. the Rockies at Coors Field, and the first of the second-half. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)
The Tampa Bay Rays claimed their second series vs. the Rockies at Coors Field, and the first of the second-half. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)

The Tampa Bay Rays emerged from an extended skid to score 21 runs in back-to-back victories and their first series win of the second-half. They will strive to maintain their bourgeoning hot streak on Thursday, when the Rays open a four-game series against the Oakland Athletics.

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Tampa Bay lost 13 of the previous 15 games before the 25 run offensive outburst at Coors Field. In the series finale Wednesday afternoon, the much maligned Tim Beckham — who batted .213 and was 2-for-24 since mid-June — went a career-best 5-for-5 in the 11-3 throttling of the Rockies. Evan Longoria has also collected four consecutive two-hit outings, including three homers, two triples, two doubles and seven RBI over that stretch.

Oakland has won four of six post All-Star Break games despite losing 7-0 to Houston on Wednesday. Josh Reddick went 5-for-10 with two RBI in the three-game series against the Astros.

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Kevin Cash will send Matt Moore (5-7, 4.33 ERA), Jake Odorizzi (4-5, 4.39 ERA), Drew Smyly (2-11, 5.64 ERA), and Blake Snell (2-4, 3.11 ERA) to the mound over the next four games. Bob Melvin will counter with Sonny Gray (4-8, 5.12 ERA), Sean Manaea (3-5, 5.13 ERA), Kendall Gravman (6-6, 4.25 ERA), and a player to be named before the series finale on Sunday.

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Rays Series Starters

— Moore allowed two earned runs on five hits and a walk over 7-1/3 innings, in a hard-luck 2-1 loss against the Orioles on Saturday. Pitching to contact, Moore recorded just one strikeout. The southpaw posted his fourth consecutive quality start, and turned in his longest outing of the season in the process. Moore, in the midst of a terrific run of starts since late June, demonstrated superior control while throwing an efficient 93 pitches over his time on the mound.

— Odorizzi allowed two runs on seven hits and a walk over six innings Sunday, striking out seven. He picked up the win over the Orioles in his first quality start since June 19 (the seventh of the season in 20 starts). Attacking Baltimore’s hitters — and throwing 65 of 100 pitches for strikes — Odorizzi coaxed 17 swinging strikes, while his only gaffe was a homer toff the bat of Pedro Alvarez. It should be noted, homers have been his Achilles heel this season.

— In spite of his ongoing struggles, Smyly will remain in the starting rotation. The lefty now sports an ugly record and gaudy ERA that is the highest among all pitchers who’ve thrown at least 90 innings this season. Still, Smyly is not a candidate for demotion according to Cash.

Actually we talked to Drew (Tuesday), checked in, we had a good conversation, Cash told Marc Topkin (Tampa Bay Times). Drew is trying to work through this. He knows he’s in a funk. At different parts of the season, I think different things have kind of left him, different pitches that he hasn’t been able to find. … We’re excited to get his work in and to see him back out there Saturday in Oakland.

— Snell surrendered only one hit and three walks, while fanning nine, over six scoreless innings of a win against the Rockies on Tuesday. It was the best start of Snell’s young Major League career, as he collected a new career high in strikeouts and posted his first big league shutout. Snellzilla was nasty, inducing 16 whiffs on 96 pitches, while dominating the Rockies at Coors Field — an impressive feat for a rookie.

Athletics Series Starters

— Gray gave up three earned runs on six hits and four walks over six innings, in a 5-4 win over the Blue Jays on Saturday. He struck out two. The righty has collected four quality starts over his last five appearances, although the victory Saturday was his first. He continued to struggle with his control — as evidenced by four walks for the second consecutive start — although he avoided trouble against the Blue Jays potent lineup. In his last start against the Rays, Gray allowed six runs (three earned) on six hits, including three homers, over 5-2/3 innings. Key matchups: Oswaldo Arcia (2-5, HR, 4 RBI), Logan Forsythe (2-5, HR, RBI), Brandon Guyer (2 HR, 5 RBI), Kevin Kiermaier (3-10, 2B, HR, 3 RBI), Evan Longoria (5-17, 2B, HR, 2 RBI, BB) 

— Manaea’s last outing came in an emergency relief role, throwing five strong innings on Sunday after Rich Hill and Andrew Triggs were injured. Manaea struck out six across seven shutout innings. He’s now allowed just two runs or fewer in four of his past five outings. This season the 24 year-old lefty has relied primarily on his 93 mph four-seam fastball with good sink and run, and an 86 mph changeup with good depth. He’s also mixed in a whiffy 81 mph slider.

— Graveman relinquished three runs (two earned) on seven hits and a walk with five strikeouts over seven innings on Monday. The 25 year-old righty has collected three straight quality starts for the first time all season. The homer he allowed was his first in five starts, and he appears to be starting to avoid those big mistakes that plagued him through the first two months of 2016 when he allowed 12 homers in his first 13 starts — a big reason for his 4.87 ERA at the start of the season. He owns a sharp 2.97 ERA and 1.14 WHIP since, although it’s thought his level of performance might not be viable over the long-term (his 4.0 K/9 speaks to that). Graveman allowed four runs on six hits, including a homer, over 5-2/3 innings against the Rays on May 14th. Key matchups: Corey Dickerson (1-3, 3B), Logan Forsythe (1-4, 2B, RBI), Brandon Guyer (2-5, 2B), Brad Miller (2-7, HR, 2 RBI), Steven Souza Jr. (1-4, 2B, 2 BB)

Noteworthiness

— Oakland took two of three games from the Rays at the Trop from May 13-15.

— Steve Pearce has driven in multiple runs in each of the two games he’s played since his return from the disabled list on Tuesday.

— Evan Longoria now has 50 extra-base hits after hitting two doubles, two triples, and three homers in the last four games.  Longo is on a pace for a franchise record 86 extra-base hits to go along with a projected 38 homers, and 93 RBI.

— If you’re keeping track, Tampa Bay now must go 49-19 (.720 baseball) from here on out for the Rays to have a shot at an AL wildcard berth.

Looking Backward While Moving Forward: Rays, Snell sail past Rockies, 10-1

Matt Andriese Notched his first career save after posting three innings of one-run baseball to end Tuesday evening’s contest. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)
The Tampa Bay Rays staved off irrelevancy for another day, after they rolled to a 10-1 win over the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday.

Tampa Bay took an early lead in the first inning after Logan Forsythe doubled to left off Tyler Chatwood, went to third on a groundout Brad Miller, then scored on Evan Longoria’s single to right.

The Rays expanded their lead to six with a five-run third. The rally started when Chatwood walked Oswaldo Arcia on four pitches. After Blake Snell struck out trying to bunt Arcia to second in his first Major League at-bat, Forsythe collected his second double of the game — an RBI double to left, scoring Arcia from first. Miller joined in on the fun with an RBI double of his own, putting the Rays up by three. They weren’t done.

Making up for their inability to score runs when they needed to the previous night, Longoria hammered a 462-foot homer into the parking lot of Coors Field, his 22nd of the season.

Exacting some revenge on the Rockies for trading him, Corey Dickerson singled to right, then scored on (you guessed it) a two-out double to right by Kevin Kiermaier, capping the five-run rally.

Tampa Bay plated another run in the fourth after Arcia singled and Snell walked, subsequently chasing Chatwood. Snell’s plate appearance was pretty impressive for someone stepping into the batter’s box for the second time in his Major League career. After making an awkward stab/bunt attempt at the first pitch, Snell took three straight balls before swinging through a pitch and fouling off a high fastball, running the count full. The lefty earned a walk on the very next pitch.

Arcia eventually scored on Miller’s two-out single off reliever Jordan Lyles, stretching the lead to seven.

The Rays capped their scoring with three, two-out runs in the final frame of the contest. Dickerson collected his third hit of the night — an RBI double into the right-field corner — that scored Miller, who walked on four pitches two batters prior. Four pitches later, Steve Pearce crushed a two-run homer to left, his 10th of the season.

On the other side of the coin Snell put together an excellent start, setting a career high with nine strikeouts. Even though he walked three batters, his only other blemish was a fourth inning grounder up the middle by Charlie Blackmon. In that particular at-bat, along with the three plate appearances that resulted in walks, Snell was visibly frustrated by the temporary lapses in his fastball command. Thankfully none of those self inflicted wounds came back to haunt him.

Overall, Snell tossed six innings of scoreless baseball. The southpaw attacked the Rockies with fastballs — both up and down in the zone — and a whiffy slider that broke below the zone, while also mixing in a handful of mid-80’s changeups. Even though he said he wouldn’t lean on his excellent 12-6 curveball, due to the way the altitude might play on the action of the pitch, he ultimately mixed in a couple effective hooks later in the outing.

Matt Andriese followed and earned the save by going three innings. Andriese was a touch shaky, allowing a handful of hits including a ninth inning homer off the bat of Trevor Story. However, seeing that he hadn’t taken the mound in nine days, his shakiness could be attributed to a touch of rust.

The New What Next

The Rays will try to win their first post All-Star Break series on Wednesday afternoon, when Chris Archer (4-13, 4.68 ERA) toes the rubber opposite of lefty Jorge de la Rosa (6-6, 5.50 ERA). Archer put down the first seven Orioles on Friday, but still ended up with his 13th loss. He has lost six consecutive decisions, and nine of 10.

If you’re Pedro Martinez or John Smoltz, you think the reason for Archer’s lack of success in 2016 is an issue with his glove separation.

[youtube_sc url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XH3vRPQG6h0&feature=youtu.be”]

I’d argue a quirk in his glove separation may exacerbate the problem, which is a lack of fastball command, however, stit isn’t the only problem.

de la Rosa is 4-2 with a 2.68 ERA in six starts since moving back into rotation on June 14th. He gave up two runs on eight hits and three walks over six innings on Friday, striking out two. He is 1-1 with a 10.13 ERA in two starts against Tampa Bay (last start in June 2009).

You can read about the pitching matchup in our series preview.

Rays 7/20/16 Starting Lineup

Forsythe 2B
Guyer CF
Longoria 3B
Pearce 1B
Souza Jr. RF
Dickerson LF
Beckham SS
Casali C
Archer RHP

Noteworthiness

— Looking for something to do this afternoon? Join us at the Hanger Restaurant and Flight Lounge for a Rays watch party presented by Baseball Forever. You can find out more information here.

— According to Marc Topkin (Tampa Bay Times) the decision to create roster space for Steve Pearce’s return by sending down INF Nick Franklin, rather than, say, INF Tim Beckham, appeared rooted in playing time.

In short, Franklin will get more of it with Triple-A Durham, including additional work in the outfield to continue his development into a superutility player, than he would in the majors, especially with Pearce and Kiermaier back.

“Right now we’re getting a little crunched in the outfield, and finding him time in the infield would be difficult, also,” Cash said.

— If you’re keeping track, Tampa Bay now must go 50-19 (.724 baseball) from here on out for Evan Longoria and company to have a shot at an AL wildcard berth.

Tampa Bay Rays 7/19/16 starting lineup; Steve Pearce activated from DL

The #Rays send LHP Blake Snell to the mound Tuesday night opposite of RHP Tyler Chatswood. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)
The #Rays send LHP Blake Snell to the mound Tuesday night opposite of RHP Tyler Chatswood. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)

After another disappointing start by LHP Drew Smyly, the Tampa Bay Rays will try to bounce back tonight with LHP Blake Snell on the bump. The Rays are still seeking their first road win away from Tropicana Field since June 8th, a stretch of 11 road games.

The New What Next

Blake Snell (1-4, 3.69 ERA) will make his first start against a National League opponent tonight — the first time he’ll hit in a game since being drafted in 2011. Snell turned in his best Major League start when he allowed two runs on four hits over six innings against the Angels on July 7.

Tyler Chatwood (8-5, 3.29) went five innings in each of his two starts before the All-Star Break. In his previous start, Chatwood allowed four earned runs on eight hits and three walks over five innings in a 10-3 loss to the Phillies on Sunday.

You can read about the pitching matchup in our Rays/Rockies series preview.

Rays 7/19/16 Starting Lineup

Forsythe 2B
Miller SS
Longoria 3B
Dickerson LF
Pearce 1B
Kiermaier CF
Maile C
Arcia RF
Snell LHP

Noteworthiness

— Steve Pearce returns to the lineup tonight after nearly a month on the disabled list with a hamstring injury.  Nick Franklin was inexplicably optioned to Triple-A Durham to make room for Pearce, not Tim Beckham.

— Congratulations to Logan Forsythe, the winner of the MLBPAA Heart and Hustle Award!