Looking Backward While Moving Forward: Rays fall 6-5, don’t make baseball fun again

A good collection of folks showed up for our watch party at Green Bench last night, co-sponsored by Baseball Forever and SubAp. (Photo Credit: Anthony Ateek/X-Rays Spex)
Chris Archer, as he has been wont to do this season, put the Tampa Bay Rays in an early, unrecoverable hole in the first inning of Friday’s contest against Boston. And while the Rays were able to come from behind twice, subsequently tying the game, the Red Sox pulled in front in the late innings, ultimately eking out a 6-5 win. The Rays now have dropped four consecutive games, and 20-out-of-23 for the first time in franchise history.


Source: FanGraphs

It took Archer nearly 30 pitches to get through the opening frame, as the righty walked a pair and relinquished runs on a single by Xander Bogaerts, and a Jackie Bradley Jr. sac-fly to right.

Tampa Bay struck back in the second inning, scoring a run on Nick Franklin’s single, and another in the third on Logan Forsythe’s massive homer over the Green Monster.

Be that as it may, Boston stole back the lead back in the fourth against Archer, after David Ortiz homered to right — then preened around the bases — and Aaron Hill singled home a two-out run.

Nevertheless the Rays answered once again in the top half of the fifth on Brad Miller’s sac-fly to left with runners on the corners, and Longoria’s game tying two-out RBI single off the Green Monster.

However, the Red Sox had another answer for Archer and the Rays. Hanley Ramirez singled with one out, swiped second, then scored on Bryce Brentz’s two-out single to left-center. (Brentz entered the game in the third inning for an injured Brock Holt).

Boston added a crucial insurance run in the eighth inning when Hill singled home a two-out run against Xavier Cedeno. The run proved critical because Longoria homered to left off Koji Uehara in the ninth, making it a one-run game. But Logan Morrison flew out at the warning track in center field, unceremoniously ending the back-and-forth contest.

The New What Next

The Rays will try to bounce back from yet another loss on Saturday afternoon with Matt Moore on the bump. He’ll be opposed by Rick Porcello. Moore has won back-to-back starts, and is 3-1 with a 2.43 ERA over his past five appearances. The southpaw has worked at least six innings in his past six starts, but is 0-3 with a 6.43 ERA in six road starts, and 4-4 with a 4.67 ERA in nine games against Boston. Porcello is 7-0 with a 3.60 ERA in eight starts at Fenway. The former Tiger beat the Angels in his most recent start, although he allowed four runs on 12 hits. Porcello is 2-0 with a 2.77 ERA against Rays this season, and 7-4 with a 2.98 ERA overall, with seven straight quality starts. You can read more about the pitching matchup in our series preview.

Rays 7/9/16 Starting Lineup

Forsythe 2B
Miller SS
Longoria 3B
Morrison 1B
Souza CF
Dickerson DH
Franklin LF
Arcia RF
Casali C
Moore LHP

Noteworthiness

— A big thank you goes out to those of you who attended our watch party last night…this, of course, is in spite of the outcome. We met a ton of people, raffled off a ton of swag, and signed up a ton of people to receive Baseball Forever updates (among other things). If you haven’t purchased your tickets for the Baseball Forever Night at the Ballpark, you still can do so now. We’ll do this again in a month at Urban Comfort.

— C’mon Rays, Make Baseball Fun Again!

The New What Next: C’mon Rays, make baseball fun again — a series preview

Steven Souza Jr. went 0-3 with a walk and three strikeouts in the series finale with the Los Angeles Angels on Thursday. (Photo Credit: Will Vragovic/Tampa Bay Times)
Steven Souza Jr. went 0-3 with a walk and three strikeouts in the series finale with the Los Angeles Angels on Thursday. (Photo Credit: Will Vragovic/Tampa Bay Times)

Mired in a 3-19 swoon — the worst 22-game stretch in franchise history — the Tampa Bay Rays travel to Boston for one last series before the All-Star Break.

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The previous series against the Los Angeles Angels exemplified a simple fact: the Rays are not playing good baseball. For example, let’s take a look at Tim Beckham and Steven Souza Jr. — the dynamic duo who struck out six times in the series finale. Of the two Beckham was the most impressive/pathetic, as he saw just 10 pitches in his three at-bats. Then there was Hank Conger and Brad Miller, whose confusion on a double steal led to a run. Blake Snell, the starter in Thursday’s contest, deserved better. Hell, we all deserve better.

For the moment, let’s forget about terms like contention and postseason play. Sure, mathematically speaking, the Rays aren’t yet out of contention. However, they’ll have to play .750 baseball from this point forward if there’s any hope of magically getting back into things. To that point, Tom Jones (Tampa Bay Times) put it best:

We’re in too deep to think that somehow everything will magically turn around in the second half. Nothing that has happened in the first half suggests the Rays are better than what they have shown.

Rather, the organization needs to focus on evaluating the team then changing things to stop the bleeding. In short, figure out what the problems are and make the appropriate changes. Nationals’ franchise player Bryce Harper succinctly put it, Make baseball fun again — something the Rays have been strapped to do this season.

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The Rays will kickoff their Make Baseball Fun Again campaign Friday against the Red Sox — a team they’ve played competitively against this season. Kevin Cash will throw Chris Archer (4-11, 4.50 ERA), Matt Moore (5-5, 4.54 ERA), and Jake Odorizzi (3-4, 4.33 ERA) over the next three days. John Farrell will counter with Sean O’Sullivan (2-0, 6.61 ERA), Rick Porcello (10-2, 3.82 ERA), and David Price (8-6, 4.64 ERA).

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Rays Series Starters

Archer struck out 10 over 5-2/3 scoreless innings on Sunday in a loss against the Tigers. He allowed just three hits while walking three. The righty left the game with a one-run lead, yet the Rays’ bullpen coughed up five runs over the final two innings. And while Archer wasn’t terribly efficient (115 pitches, starting eight batters with first-pitch strikes), he was able to generate 18 swinging strikes along the way.

Moore allowed two earned runs on six hits and two walks over 6-2/3 innings on Monday. The 27-year-old lefty followed up his seven-inning shutout of Boston with another solid outing. Moore fired 74 of his 113 pitches for strikes (65% K%), and collected 20 (of 30) first-pitch strikes.

Odorizzi was tagged for a season-high seven runs on nine hits, while walking two and fanning four over 5-1/3 innings on Tuesday. The right-hander’s inconsistency has left the team reeling. Odorizzi sported a fine 3.36 ERA through April and May, but has a 4.96 ERA from then on.

Red Sox Series Starters

O’Sullivan is a journeyman hurler who most recently spent time in the Phillies organization. The 28 year-old righty came up big for Boston in his last start, holding the Angels to two runs over five innings a game after the Red Sox lost, 21-2. O’Sullivan relies primarily on an average 92 mph four-seam fastball, and an 83 mph slider which induces a fair number of fly balls. He also boasts a 90 mph sinker that generates a good number of grounders, and a 74 mph curveball with good bite. Key matchup: Evan Longoria (1-2, 2B, RBI, BB)

Porcello allowed four runs (three earned, all in the first inning) in Monday’s 12-5 win over Texas. He gave up 12 hits while fanning three with no walks in six innings. Boston has been put under a lot of pressure recently due to the pitching staff that’s given up a ton of first-inning runs, however, the offense bailed out Porcello, giving him 16 hits and 12 runs of support. The righty settled in, holding Texas scoreless on seven hits over his final five innings to earn the win. Procello held the Rays to one run on five hits over six innings on June 28. Key matchups: Oswaldo Arcia (3-8, 2B, HR, 2 RBI, 2 BB), Corey Dickerson (2-7, 2B, HR, RBI), Logan Forsythe (6-17, 3B, BB), Brad Miller (2-8, 2 HR, 2 RBI, BB), Logan Morrison (4-13, 2B, RBI), Steven Souza Jr. (6-15)

Price threw eight innings in a loss on Tuesday, allowing three runs on eight hits and one walk while striking out 10. This was actually one of Price’s better outings in recent weeks, and he notched double-digit strikeouts in consecutive games for the first time this season. It was a marked improvement from two starts ago when he was yanked after just 2-1/3 innings. He is 0-1 with a 10.80 ERA in two starts against his former team this year (10 innings pitched). Key matchups: Curt Casali (2B, 3 HR, 5 RBI), Hank Conger (1-3, RBI), Logan Forsythe (4-14, 2B, RBI), Nick Franklin (2-7, 2B, RBI), Brandon Guyer (4-13, 2B, 3B, HR, 3 RBI), Steven Souza Jr. (2-8, 2B, RBI)

Noteworthiness

— Kevin Kiermaier (left hand fracture) is scheduled to begin a Minor League rehab stint Monday with Class-A Charlotte Stone Crabs.

— Steve Pearce (hamstring) hit in the batting cage and is scheduled to take batting practice on the field Friday.

— True Talk.

— Hope to see you Friday at Green Bench Brewing Company when we host our next watch party (co-hosted by SubAp and Baseball Forever).

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Rays designate LHP Dana Eveland for assignment; promote RHP Dylan Floro

Mar 13, 2015; Clearwater, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Dylan Floro (74) throws a pitch during a spring training baseball game between the Tampa Bay Rays and Philadelphia Phillies at Bright House Field. (Photo Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA Today Sports)
Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Dylan Floro throws a pitch during a Spring Training baseball game between the Tampa Bay Rays and Philadelphia Phillies at Bright House Field. (Photo Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA Today Sports)

After another bad appearance last night, the Tampa Bay Rays have designated LHP Dana Eveland. In doing so, thy have selected RHP Dylan Floro from the Durham Bulls. Floro will wear number 49.

A 13th round draft pick in 2012 from Cal State-Fullerton, Floro is known for his exceptional command and control of the strike zone. The addition of the righty gives Kevin Cash another arm that can post more than one inning. In 30 appearances for the Durham Bulls this season ( totaling 48 innings of work) Floro is 1-2 with a 2.81 ERA and seven saves.

The Rays also announced that RHP Ryan Webb cleared waivers and has officially been released by the organization.

Finally, in an interesting twist in the Kevin Jepsen/Tampa Bay Rays story, there could be interest in re-signing Kevin Jepsen, if he clears waivers after being designated for assignment by the Minnesota Twins. You may recall that Jepsen was acquired from the Los Angeles Angels last season for OF Matt Joyce. He then was traded to Minnesota for a pair of pitching prospects at the deadline, much to the chagrin of RHP Brad Boxberger. As Marc Topkin (Tampa Bay Rays) opined, his veteran presence and leadership would be a plus in the underperforming bullpen.

 

Looking Bad While Moving Forward: The good, the bad, and the argyle of the Rays 13-5 loss

Logan Morrison crushed a 410 foot homer in the third inning to bring the Rays within two. (Tampa Bay Rays)
Logan Morrison crushed a 410 foot homer in the third inning to bring the Rays within two. (Tampa Bay Rays)
Jake Odorizzi and the Tampa Bay Rays squandered a pair of leads on Tuesday night, and lost 13-5 to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. It was a sloppy affair punctuated by the benching of Steven Souza Jr., and less than stellar performances from Enny Romero and Dana Eveland. The good, the bad, and the argyle of the ballgame follows.

The Good

— Alex Colome was named as the Rays’ sole representative in the 2016 All-Star Game. Colome is the 34th All-Star selection in franchise history, and the seventh reliever to get the nod. Prior to the game, Rays skipper Kevin Cash called Colome into his office to give him the news:

— Third baseman Evan Longoria still has a chance to make the squad, as he is one of five finalists in the final vote. You can place your vote here.

— Tampa Bay took leads in the first inning (Logan Forsythe scored on Souza’s infield single), and fifth (Brandon Guyer and Corey Dickerson scored on Nick Franklin’s two-RBI single).

— OF/INF Nick Franklin tied his career high with three hits Tuesday night and drove in two more runs, giving him 11 RBI on the homestand.

— Brandon Guyer set the franchise HBP record. In his first at-bat, Guyer was hit by a Tim Lincecum pitch. It was the 52nd time he has been hit during his career, surpassing Carlos Peña (51) for the team record. While Peña accomplished the feat in 2,971 plate appearances, Guyer did so in 2,000+ fewer plate appearances (923).

— Logan Morrison hit his tenth homer of the season off Tim Lincecum in the third inning.

Morrison’s 10th home run

— Tyler Sturdevant and Alex Colome collected 2-2/3 scoreless innings, allowing just one base runner on an eighth inning single.

The Bad

— Jake Odorizzi allowed a season-high seven runs and matched his season high in hits relinquished with nine in 5-1/3 innings in front of a crowd that included an number of scouts from various teams. The righty allowed four runs in the second inning (the fifth time this year he has allowed that many runs in an inning) and three in the sixth after Tampa Bay gave him one-run leads in the first and fifth innings.

It’s my fault, Odorizzi said following the game. They did their job. I didn’t do my job. Nobody is more frustrated than me with my performance, not just tonight but this entire year. It’s not me. …That’s on me, I’m accountable for it.

— The dumpster fire that is Romero and Eveland… The left-handed tandem gave up six runs in the ninth, putting the game well out of reach. The Rays have been outscored 34-8 in the final three innings (22-2 in the ninth inning). Over the last 20 games the bullpen has posted a gaudy 9.26 ERA.

The Argyle

— For the life of me, I do not understand why Kevin Cash opted to slot Romero into the ninth inning when he’d face the meat of the Angels batting order. As it stands Romero has a 6.11 ERA/5.20 FIP/5.14 BB9/.299 BABIP/16.7% HRFB line overall, which inflates to a 8.37 FIP/5.91 BB9/.357 BABIP/28.6% HRFB in medium leverage situations. As for Eveland, it made zero sense to put him in the game to mop up after Romero. 

 — Souza was benched for an apparent lack of hustle at the end of the third inning, after (in the words of Marc Topkin) an at-bat in which he jogged toward first base after hitting a routine fly ball, only to see it drop between two Angels outfielders and roll away. Souza was about halfway down the line when he kicked it into gear and raced to third, and that he made it standing up was further proof that hustle from the start would have been paid off.

The message to Souza, and likely the team, was loud and clear.

I think the bottom line is that I play hard, but right there I didn’t play very hard. I got caught slipping and took for granted a routine play. … I got to third, but I could have easily scored if I was running hard, Souza said after the game. It’s a bit embarrassing. It’s not how this team runs, it’s not how we want our identity to be and I’m not proud of it. … (Cash) let me know I was pulled. At the end of the day, he’s the boss, and I’ve got to play hard for the boss and for this team.

Souza still collected up a triple and later scored, so it didn’t impact the game. 

Why Cash decided to act at that moment, when others have appeared guilty of more egregious offenses and lackadaisical play (cough, Desmond Jennings), remains unclear. This is the first time as manager that Cash took such an action.

The New What Next

The Rays will try to get back on track tonight when Drew Smyly (2-9, 5.33 ERA) takes the mound opposite of Jered Weaver (6-7, 5.51 ERA). The left-handed Smyly is 1-6 with a 6.86 ERA over his last 11 starts. He’s pitched five innings or fewer in six of those starts, and is 0-5 over his past eight starts for the longest losing streak of his career. Weaver pitched a complete game shutout during his last road start on June 19 vs. Oakland. The soft tosser is 5-5 in 13 career starts against Tampa Bay. You can read about the pitching matchup in our series preview.

Rays 7/6/16 Starting Lineup

Forsythe DH
Miller SS
Longoria 3B
Morrison 1B
Guyer CF
Souza RF
Dickerson DH
Franklin 2B
Casali C
Smyly LHP

Noteworthiness

— RHP Alex Cobb (Tommy John surgery) begins his rehab assignment tonight with the Charlotte Stone Crabs. He is slated to pitch one or two innings.

I put a lot of work in to this point to try and see if I can figure out how to be competitive again on the mound, Cobb said. It’s not a huge test, but at the same time when you’re going out on the mound and compete against hitters you want to do well. I think it will be a struggle for me to stay in between the lines of competing and still know that I’m rehabbing.

Cobb’s rehab assignment is for 30 days, which includes six starts ahead of his long awaited early August return to the active roster.

— As I wrote yesterday, outfielder Kevin Kiermaier will take the next big step in his recovery process this week. Kiermaier is slated to take batting practice either Wednesday or Thursday at Tropicana Field. The Outlaw will then head to Boston with the team, where he will workout ahead of the All-Star Break — when he is slated to play his rehab games. The Gold Glove winning outfielder is eyeing the first series after the break (vs. the Baltimore Orioles) for his return.

— Steve Pearce (strained hamstring) told reporters he feels “great” and also is eyeing a return after the All-Star Break.

Looking Backward While Moving Forward: Moore, Rays take down Angels 4-2

The Tampa Bay Rays collected a rare Fourth of July win on Monday. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)
The Tampa Bay Rays collected a rare Fourth of July win on Monday. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)
Matt Moore threw 6-2/3 strong innings on Monday, as the Tampa Bay Rays snapped a four-game losing streak with a 4-2 win over the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

Tampa Bay broke out first in the third inning. With the game knotted at zero, Brad Miller turned on an outside pitch and deposited it just to the right of the Rays tank, in deep right-center.

Click on the screenshot to be redirected to a video of Miller's solo shot.
Click on the screenshot to be redirected to a video of Miller’s solo shot.
The homer was 12th of the season for Miller — a new career high. It’s also three shy of the single season record by a Rays shortstop, set by Julio Lugo set in 2003.

However, Los Angeles answered with a two-out rally a half inning later. Moore coaxed a grounder out of CJ Cron, and a pop fly to center out of Johnny Giavotella, for the first two outs of the frame. The lefty got ahead of Jefry Marte before hitting him on the left knee with a 1-2 fastball. Marte then moved into scoring position on a walk of Jett Bandy, putting two on with two out. Two pitches later, Andrelton Simmons doubled to deep left field, scoring Marte and sending Bandy to third. Fortunately Moore coaxed a fly-ball from Shane Robinson to avoid any further damage.

The game wasn’t tied for long though; Logan Morrison went yard in the bottom of the fourth, giving Tampa Bay a one-run lead once again.

It was Morrison’s ninth homer this season.

Yet on the first pitch of the sixth inning, Moore promptly gave up a leadoff homer into the left-field seats, tying the game once again. MattyMoe wasn’t out of the woods just yet, as Bandy slashed an 0-2 double to left. After Simmons sacrificed Bandy to third, the Rays drew the infield in. Robinson grounded wide of third, and Evan Longoria quickly fielded the ball and threw home to catch the Angels catcher in a rundown. 

Robinson eventually advanced to second as Bandy was tagged out. And while he had a golden opportunity to put the Angels ahead, Yunel Escobar curtailed the threat with an inning ending comebacker.

When the Rays were going well, they showed the ability to answer the opposing team an inning or two later. They did just that Monday afternoon, scoring a pair of runs in the bottom half of the sixth against reliever Fernando Salas. Miller started the rally with a single to left, then advanced to second on Evan Longoria’s groundout to first. Morrison plated Miller on an opposite field single to retake the lead. Then after Brandon Guyer flew out to center, Steven Souza Jr. knuckled a double into the left-field corner, allowing Morrison to rumble all the way home from first, pushing the lead to two.

Moore was tasked with preserving the lead in what would be his final 2/3 of an inning of work. Moore got Mike Trout to line out to center, and Albert Pujols to foul out to third for the first two outs of the seventh. After 113 pitches (74 strikes) and 6-2/3 innings of work, Kevin Cash pulled the southpaw in favor of Erasmo Ramirez. Moore now has gone at least six innings in six consecutive starts.

Ramirez induced a whiffy strikeout of Cron (on a changeup in the upper part of the zone) for the final out of the frame. Erasmo took the mound again in the eighth and worked around a leadoff single for a scoreless inning, which included a swinging strikeout of Bandy.

With the game on the line in the final inning of play, Cash turned to LHP Dana Eveland. Suffice it to say, Cash’s decision was suspect at best, after all, Eveland had pitched with a lead only three times this season, and all were of at least four runs. One shouldn’t overlook Eveland’s bloated 7.58 ERA/6.01 FIP, and the propensity to let things spiral out of control. Oy vey. What wasn’t known at the time, Eveland would only face once batter — Shane Robinson.

Eveland quickly got ahead of Robinson 0-2, then dealt the death blow: an inside 83 mph slider that tailed behind Robinson’s back foot. The Angels outfielder couldn’t hold up, and went down swinging.

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Ryan Garton was tasked with collecting the final two outs of the contest. While Garton walked Escobar on a full-count fastball, that just missed the outside corner, he came back and fanned Trout for out numero dos.

Escobar swiped second on defensive indifference just before Pujols hit a bullet off a diving Longoria’s glove. Call it luck, and much to the chagrin of Pujols, the ball stayed on the infield after it hit third base umpire Mike Estabrook. Finally Garton got Cron to pop out in foul territory, ending the game and giving the righty his first MLB save.

Cash spoke about his decision to go with a tandem of hurlers in the ninth, saying he wanted Eveland to face the right-handed Robinson because he felt that would prevent Angels manager Mike Scioscia from using lefty Kole Calhoun as a pinch-hitter. He then called for Garton based on the assumption that Scioscia wouldn’t use Calhoun since the Angels were back to the top of the order.

The New What Next

The Rays will attempt the second consecutive takedown of the Angels on Tuesday when Jake Odorizzi (3-3, 3.91 ERA) pitches opposite of The Freak (1-2, 6.75 ERA). Odorizzi has not won in nine straight starts at Tropicana Field — the longest home winless streak of his career, and the longest of a Rays pitcher to start a season since 2007 (Scott Kazmir, 0-3 in 10 starts). Lincecum will make his fourth start since resuming his pitching career. He faced the Rays once in his career (2013), allowing one run in seven innings as a starter with the Giants. You can read about the pitching matchup in our series preview.

Rays 7/5/16 Starting Lineup

Forsythe 2B
Miller SS
Longoria 3B
Morrison 1B
Souza CF
Dickerson DH
Franklin LF
Arcia RF
Conger C
Odorizzi RHP

Noteworthiness

— The Rays have activated RHP Alex Colome from the 15-day DL. In doing so, RHP Danny Farquhar has been optioned back to Triple-A Durham. 

— Rays starters have now combined for 3.16 ERA/3.57 FIP/.204 BA/.271 BABIP/9.91 K9 line over the last seven days (42-2/3 innings of work).

— According to a bevy of tweets in my feed, outfielder Kevin Kiermaier will take the next big step in his recovery process this week. Kiermaier is slated to take batting practice either Wednesday or Thursday at Tropicana Field. The Outlaw will then head to Boston with the team, where he will workout ahead of the All-Star Break — when he is slated to play his rehab games. The Gold Glove winning outfielder is eyeing the first series after the break (vs. the Baltimore Orioles) for his return.

In other injury news, Steve Pearce (strained hamstring) told reporters he feels “great” and also is expecting to return after the All-Star Break.

— Three. More. Days. Hope to see you all at Green Bench Brewing Company this Friday!

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